"It is right, is it?" said Mr. Gresham.
"Yes, sir, quite right."
"Then, by this calculation, I find I could for less than half the money your uniforms would cost purchase for each of you boys a warm great coat, which you will want, I have a notion, this winter upon the Downs."
"O, sir," said Hal with an alarmed look; "but it is not winter yet; it is not cold weather yet. We shan't want great coats yet."
"Don't you remember how cold we were, Hal, the day before yesterday, in that sharp wind, when we were flying our kites upon the Downs? And winter will come yet—I am sure, I should like to have a good warm great coat very much."
Mr. Gresham took six guineas out of his purse; and he placed three of them before Hal, and three before Ben.
"Young gentlemen," said he, "I believe your uniforms will come to about three guineas apiece. Now I will lay out this money for you just as you please, Hal, what say you?"
"Why, sir," said Hal, "a great coat is a good thing, to be sure; and then, after the great coat, as you said it would only cost half as much as the uniform, there would be some money to spare, would not there?"
"Yes, my dear, about five-and-twenty shillings."
"Five-and-twenty shillings! I could buy and do a great many things, to be sure, with five-and-twenty shillings; but then, the thing is, I must go without the uniform, if I have the great coat."