“Yes, professor. There’s going to be a show in town to-night, and I’d like to go. All the boys will be there.” “Does it cost a dollar to go to a--er--a performance?” “No; not exactly. The tickets are fifty cents, but I wanted a little extra to treat some of my chums with.” “Treat? Ah, yes, I presume you mean to furnish some sort of refreshment for your youthful companions.” “Yes, sir. Can I have the money? I haven’t drawn all my allowance this month.” “No; you are correct there. There is still a balance of two dollars and thirteen cents in your allowance account for this month, computing the interest at six per cent. But I shall not give you the dollar.” “Why not?” “Why not? Because I don’t choose to.” “My father would, if he was here.” “Well, he isn’t here, and I’m in charge of you, and the money your parents left for your care and support while they are away. I most certainly shall not give you a dollar to waste on any such foolishness as what you term a ‘show’ by which I apprehend that you mean a performance of some character.” “It’s a vaudeville show,” went on Jack. “It’s real funny.” “Funny!” ejaculated the professor with a snort. “Fun is a very poor substitute for knowledge, young man. If you have an evening to spare you should spend it on your books. You are very backward in your Latin and mathematics. When I was your age I used to devote my entire evening to working out problems in algebra or geometry.” “Will you give me fifty cents?” asked Jack desperately, not wishing to let the professor get too deep into the matter of study. “Fifty cents? What for?” “Well, I can go to the show for that, but I wanted some to treat the boys with. They’ve bought sodas for me several times, now, and I want to pay them back.” “Humph! That is all the rising generation thinks of! Having a good time, and eating! No, Jack, I shall not give you a dollar for any such purpose. And I will not give you fifty cents. Do you know that one dollar, put out at six per cent, will, if the interest be compounded, amount in one hundred years, to three hundred and forty dollars? Think of it! Three hundred and forty dollars!” “But I don’t expect to live a hundred years, professor. Besides, it’s my money,” spoke Jack, with just the least bit of defiance in his tone. “It is, to a certain extent,” answered the crusty old professor, “but I am the treasurer and your guardian. I shall certainly not permit you to waste your substance in riotous living.” “I don’t call it riotous living to go to a vaudeville show once in a while, and buy an ice cream soda,” retorted Jack. “You know nothing about it; nothing whatever. Now if you had asked me for a dollar, to buy some book, that would impart to you useful knowledge, I would have complied at once. More than this, I would have helped you select the book. I have a list of several good ones, that can be purchased for a dollar.” “I don’t want any books,” murmured Jack. “You shall have no dollar to spend foolishly.”