"Yes, sir, I guess so," replied Oscar.
"And the last condition is, that you give sufficient attention to your studies to gain admission to the High School, at the end of the term. Is that in your power?"
"I suppose it is," said Oscar.
"You admit, then, that you can keep these conditions," continued his father; "the question now is, will you do it?"
That was a hard question for Oscar to answer. He hesitated, and twisted about in his chair, and at length replied:
"Why, I don't suppose I should make out, if I tried."
"No, you certainly would not, if that is your spirit," replied his father. "You cannot accomplish anything unless you have some confidence that you can do it, and firmly resolve to try. You just admitted that you could keep these conditions, but it seems you are not willing to make the attempt. You want a watch, but you don't intend to obey your parents, or to conduct yourself properly, or to attend to your lessons, for the sake of getting it—that's what you mean to say, is it not?"
Oscar remained silent.
"I am sorry," continued his father, "that you will not take up with my offer; for though I do not think it important that you should get the watch, it is important that you should reform some of your habits. You are getting to be altogether too wayward and headstrong, as well as vain."
"If I get into the High School next summer, may I have the watch?" inquired Oscar.