CHAPTER II.
NO THANKS.
MRS. CARLETON was at work on a new suit of clothes. They were of a soft gray cloth, and made in a fashion which greatly pleased the little boy. First, there was a pair of pantaloons, or pants, as Fred called them; then a vest, he had never worn a vest before; and last, a nice jacket with a pocket in the left side, just like the ones worn by the big boys. The jacket and vest were bound with black braid.
Mrs. Carleton had taken great pains with the new suit. First, she had to give more for the cloth than she could well afford; but she admired its soft, firm texture, and willingly gave up a new black silk apron which she expected to purchase: the money thus saved met the extra expense of the cloth.
Next, came the fitting of the suit. There was no children’s tailor in the town; and, if there had been, Mrs. Carleton could not afford to pay him for the cutting. So she sent to her sister in the city, who kindly furnished a paper pattern, which she had used for her own son.
There was a good deal of trouble in all this; but the mother took it cheerfully, rising earlier than usual, and sitting up late, in order to finish the clothes before the examination of the school.
When Fred came up the stairs she was at work on the vest. She listened with interest to all he had to say, especially when he expressed his displeasure that Mrs. Perry did not even thank him for carrying her kitty home.
Finding her too busy to talk much, he was going downstairs, when she said,—