“You’d have to pay five dollars a year as an athletic assessment, and pay for your washing and your books. Books don’t cost much. You can get second-hand ones usually if you want to.”
“I guess not!” exclaimed Toby indignantly. “Nothing cheap for Tobias Tucker! Well, I’ll figure it up and think it over. But say, honest now, do all boarding schools cost like this one of yours?”
“I don’t know, but I guess they’re about the same. Some cost you more, maybe.”
“Where could I find one of those? I’d hate to get settled at your school and then find there was a more expensive one! That would pretty nearly break my heart, it would so! Well, maybe we’d better be getting back. I suppose you’ve got to polish your diamonds yet.”
“Shut up,” said Arnold, shortly. “If you talk like that I’ll—I’ll call you ‘Carrots’!”
“Better not,” chuckled Toby. “The last time you did it it cost you two dollars! Calling me names is expensive!”
“What are you going to do until lunch time?” asked the other, as Toby headed back toward the Deerings’ landing.
“Me? Oh, I guess I’ll go back to Perkins & Howe’s and see if they’ve got any more jobs. I made a half-dollar taking that stuff to the houseboat.” He pulled the coin from his pocket and exhibited it. Arnold observed it interestedly.
“I suppose,” he said thoughtfully, “a half-dollar seems a lot bigger if you make it yourself.”