But John had not come to discuss his kinky locks, nor to talk about his school affairs; on the contrary, he had something peculiarly strange to tell to-night. In fact, nothing less than that his great chum, Hiram Scott, was to have an "out-and-out boss party to celebrate his sixteenth birthday."
"That means, my son would like a party on his sixteenth birthday."
"That's about the size of it, mother."
"All right. You may have one."
"Hurrah!" and John sat upright, while he eagerly explained, "But, mother, Hiram's going to have a regular gilt-edged affair. One of the kind you read about."
"And you wouldn't wish to be outdone by him; is that it?"
"Well—no, I wouldn't."
"Is his birthday before yours?"
"Yes; ten days."