“Well?” said he.

“Yes,” said E. Van Tenner.

“Two stamps?”

“And two cents over for a third. The magic worked.”

“What about the price of the lessons?”

“Lessons?”

“Haven’t you learned anything in the last twenty-four hours?”

E. Van Tenner considered. “I’ve learned that every time I spend a dollar I spend an extra quarter for vanity and a dime for timidity. I’ve learned how to go without things I don’t want, and to stop doing things I dislike myself for doing. I’ve learned the difference between parsimony and thrift.”

“Is it worth anything to you?” insinuated the worker of white magic.

“How many stamps can I take?”