“Why, where’s all your money gone to, Rex? I thought you were saving up to get mother a present.”
“So I was, but—but I’ve bought it and now I haven’t got enough left to take me down to Marley to-morrow night. Just let me have three dollars. I’ll pay you back when I get my next allowance on Monday,”
“You’ve bought mother’s present!” exclaimed Roy. “What did you get? Let me see it,”
“No, I want to keep it a secret till I give it to her,” replied Rex quickly. “Now about that three dollars, can you let me have it, old fellow?”
“Certainly I can, but be sure to give it back to me Monday, as I haven’t enough to get the present I have set my heart on. I’ll—but there, if you won’t tell about yours, I shan’t say anything about mine. Then we’ll have a grand surprise party all around on the third.”
Roy stepped to his dressing case and took out a two dollar and a one dollar bill, which he handed to Rex.
“Thanks, ever so much,” murmured the latter. “Good night,” and he hurried back to his own room.
He had never felt so mean in his life. Not only had he just obtained money under false pretenses, but he had told two or three falsehoods of the most unblushing description.
Roy’s very readiness to oblige him added to his weight of remorse.
He sat down on the edge of the bed and began to tuck the money away in his pocket book. Was he really a criminal? he asked himself.