"Of course they're paid for already. Do you think I can get curls on tick?"
Terence's incredulity changed to suspicion. Turning to his mother he demanded: "Did you give her the two dollars you begged from me for the baby's food?"
Mrs. O'Brien spread out distracted hands. "Why, Terry lad, of course I didn't! Rosie went to the drug-store herself with the money, didn't you, Rosie?"
Yes, Rosie had, but even this did not satisfy Terry.
"Well, anyhow, I bet she's playing crooked somewhere!"
Ellen disdained to answer and Rosie remarked: "I'd rather spend my money on skates than on old curls."
Ellen looked at her kindly. "They say skates are going out of style, Rosie."
Rosie folded her hands complacently. "I don't care whether they're going out or coming in. I don't like 'em because they're fashionable but because I like 'em. If the Boulevard Placers didn't have one pair I'd want to go up there by myself and skate by myself just the same. I love roller skates! And, what's more, by the time vacation comes I'll have the finest pair of ball-bearing skates in town! And vacation, mind you, comes at the end of next week!"
Terence nodded a cautious approval. "You're that close to the finish, are you, Rosie?"