Mr. Gresham took six guineas out of his purse and he placed three of them before Hal, and three before Ben. “Young gentlemen,” said he, “I believe your uniforms would come to about three guineas a piece. Now I will lay out this money for you just as you please. Hal, what say you?” “Why, sir,” said Hal, “a great-coat is a good thing, to be sure; and then, after the great-coat, as you said it would only cost half as much as the uniform, there would be some money to spare, would not there?” “Yes, my dear, about five-and-twenty shillings.” “Five-and-twenty shillings?—I could buy and do a great many things, to be sure, with five-and-twenty shillings; but then, _the thing is_, I must go without the uniform, if I have the great-coat.” “Certainly,” said his uncle. “Ah!” said Hal, sighing, as he looked at the epaulettes, “uncle, if you would not be displeased, if I choose the uniform—” “I shall not be displeased at your choosing whatever you like best,” said Mr. Gresham. “Well, then, thank you, sir,” said Hal; “I think I had better have the uniform, because, if I have not the uniform, now, directly, it will be of no use to me, as the archery meeting is the week after next, you know; and, as to the great-coat, perhaps between this time and the _very_ cold weather, which, perhaps, won’t be till Christmas, papa will buy a great-coat for me; and I’ll ask mamma to give me some pocket money to give away, and she will, perhaps.” To all this conclusive, conditional reasoning, which depended upon the word _perhaps_, three times repeated, Mr. Gresham made no reply; but he immediately bought the uniform for Hal, and desired that it should be sent to Lady Diana Sweepstakes’ son’s tailor, to be made up. The measure of Hal’s happiness was now complete. “And how am I to lay out the three guineas for you, Ben?” said Mr. Gresham; “speak, what do you wish for first?” “A great-coat, uncle, if you please.” Gresham bought the coat; and, after it was paid for, five-and-twenty shillings of Ben’s three guineas remained. “What next, my boy?” said his uncle. “Arrows, uncle, if you please; three arrows.” “My dear, I promised you a bow and arrows.” “No, uncle, you only said a bow.” “Well, I meant a bow and arrows. I’m glad you are so exact, however. It is better to claim less than more than what is promised. The three arrows you shall have. But go on; how shall I dispose of these five-and-twenty shillings for you?” “In clothes, if you will be so good, uncle, for that poor boy who has the great black patch on his eye.”