“I suppose you did it unconsciously,” said Kid. “Probably you didn’t notice it, but at the supper table——”
“I didn’t! And I’m not going to get stung a quarter for these pesky things. So you can just take them back.”
“Well, of course, if you don’t want them I will, only——”
“Only what?” Bert demanded crossly.
“Only—well, maybe you’d better keep them, Bert, just for—for appearances. You see, the other fellows have all bought tablets, and if you didn’t they might think you were stingy, don’t you see? Of course, I might give you the tablets and pretend that you’d paid for them, but that would be telling a lie, wouldn’t it?”
“I guess it wouldn’t hurt you after the fibs you’ve told already to-night,” said Bert scathingly.
“Fibs I’ve told?” Kid was pained and indignant. “What fibs did I tell, I’d like to know!”
“Why—why, you made the fellows think that your folks had met with trouble and that you weren’t getting any money from home.”
“I said nothing of the kind,” retorted Kid warmly. “I only said they weren’t sending me much money now, and they aren’t. Why, whenever I want an extra dollar I have to write and say that I must have a hair cut. Honest, Bert, my hair’s been cut three times this month! I’m awfully afraid it’ll get discouraged and not grow any more!”
“Well, you made them think you needed the money——”