68 ROBERT DAWSON.

have a new suit of clothes by the Sunday after next:
mine are so cold!”

“‘T know they are cold,” she answered, in rather a
short tone.

“ Will you buy me a suit, mother?” I asked,—laugh-
_ ing at the corners of my mouth.

**T would if I could, Robert,” said she.

“But you can, mother!” said I.

She gravely shook her head. “We want a great
many things for the winter, Robert.”

“Well, mother, will you buy me a suit if I give you
the money?” _ ‘

“ You give mother the money!” cried Jane, who
had drawn up towards us. “I wonder where you could
get so much? Robert grows very fast; does he not,
mother?” said she, with a significant smile.

“He will soon be able to earn it, I hope,” said my
mother, looking kindly upon me.

My hand had been in my pocket for some time,
grasping the money, carefully wrapped up in a piece of

paper; and now I drew it forth. Unfolding it slowly,