"Then, why should it be kept secret?"
"I do not know of any reason why it should be. You won't tell Frank if I let the cat out of the bag?" said Charles with a kind of forced laugh.
"Certainly not, if you wish it."
"Well, then, we are not going because we have no money to spend."
"No money! Why, I gave Frank three dollars towards it no longer ago than yesterday, and he had some money before that," replied Captain Sedley, not a little alarmed at the revelation.
"Frank had four dollars and seventy-five cents, and I had two dollars and twenty-five cents, which made seven dollars between us."
"What have you done with it?" asked the kind father, fearful lest his son had been doing wrong.
"Last night we concluded to give our money to the widow Weston, instead of spending it for candy and crackers, and to stay at home instead of going to Boston."
An expression of pleasure lighted up the features of the devoted father. The confession of Charles was a great relief to him.
"Well done, boys!" exclaimed he. "That was noble and generous;" and involuntarily he thrust his hand into his pocket, and drew forth his purse.