'I wanted it to be a surprise,' Mrs. Trehane said; 'but now you have revealed half the secret, perhaps it is as well to confess the whole.'
'Well, Jack,' his father said, 'you know you have been bothering me for a new watch, but I told you I could not manage such a piece of extravagance now, and you would have to wait another year.'
'My old one is no more use than a turnip,' Jack broke in.
'All the more pity that part of the new one went over the cliff with the lunch,' remarked his father.
'What do you mean?' asked Jack in bewilderment.
Mr. Trehane looked at his wife.
'It was your plan; you had better explain it,' he said.
'You see, Jack,' she began, 'it seemed rather hard you should not have a new watch when you wanted one so badly, so I told Father I was quite sure I could save money in many little ways without robbing us of any real comforts. One of my plans was to take a luncheon-basket when we had picnics or expeditions, and to have a first-rate meal of delicious home-made dainties instead of a second-rate lunch for which we should have to pay more. Now, Jack, do you approve of my little scheme?'
Jack was almost speechless with shame and confusion, and the twinkle in Walter's eye made him even hotter.
'I think you are awfully good,' he stammered, 'but I don't deserve that watch, and I shan't have it now I was such a silly donkey as to throw the basket over the cliff.'