"I see that, father," replied Flora, looking as bright as sunshine again; "but all the money spent on my party will be wasted—won't it?"
"Not a cent of it, my child. If I were a miser, and kept my money in an iron safe, and lived like a poor man, I should waste it then."
"But twenty dollars for the Riverdale Band is a great deal to give for a few hours' service. It don't do any good, I think."
"Yes, it does; music improves our minds and hearts. It makes us happy. I have engaged six men to play. They are musicians only at such times as they can get a job. They are shoemakers, also, and poor men; and the money which I shall pay them will help support their families and educate them."
"What a fool I was, father!" exclaimed Flora.
"O, no; not so bad as that; for a great many older and wiser persons than yourself have thought just what you think."
"But the supper, father,—the ice cream, the cake, and the lemonade,—won't all the money spent for these things be wasted?"
"No more than the money spent for the music. The confectioner and those whom he employs depend upon their work for the means of supporting themselves and their families."
"So they do, father. And when you have a party, you are really doing good to the poor."
"That depends upon circumstances," replied Mr. Lee. "I don't think it would be an act of charity for a person who could not afford it to give a party. I only mean to say that when we spend money for that which does not injure us or anybody else, what we spend goes into the pockets of those who need it.