“Well, call him what you like,” said his wife; “only don't be so foolish as to go spending your money on him when our children need all we have. There's Maria needs a new dress immediately. She says all the girls at Signor Madalini's dancing academy dress elegantly, and she's positively ashamed to appear in any of her present dresses.” “How much will it cost?” asked Mr. Stanton, opening his pocketbook. “You may hand me seventy-five dollars. I think I can make that do.” Without a word of remonstrance, the money was placed in her hand. “I want some money, too,” said Tom Stanton, who had just disposed of a very hearty meal. “What do you want it for, Tom?” “Oh, some of the fellows are getting up a club. It's going to be a select affair, and of course each of us has got to contribute some money. You see, we are going to hire a room, furnish it nicely with a carpet, black walnut furniture, and so on, and that'll cost something.” “Whose idea is it?” “Well, Sam Paget was the first boy that mentioned it.” “Whose son is he?” “His father belongs to the firm of Paget, Norwood & Co. He's awful rich.” “Yes, it is one of our first families,” said Mr. Stanton, with satisfaction. “Is he a friend of yours, Tom?” “Oh, yes, we are quit intimate.” “That's right!” said his father, approvingly. “I am glad you choose your friends so well. That's one of the principal reasons I have for sending you to an expensive school, to get you well launched into good society.” “Yes, father, I understand,” said Tom. “You won't find me associating with common boys. I hold my head a little too high for that, I can tell you.” “That's right, my boy,” said Mr. Stanton, with satisfaction. “And now how much money do you want for this club of yours?” “Well,” said Tom, hesitatingly, “thirty or forty dollars.” “Isn't that considerable?” said his father, surprised at the amount. “Well, you see, father, I want to contribute as much as any of the boys. It would seem mean if I didn't. There's only a few of us to stand the expense, and we don't want to let in any out of our own set.” “That's true,” said Mr. Stanton; “I approve of that. It's all very well to talk about democracy, but I believe in those of the higher orders keeping by themselves.” “Then you'll give the money, father?” said Tom, eagerly. “Yes, Tom, there's forty dollars. It's more than I ought to spare, but I am determined you shall stand as good a chance as any of your school-fellows. They shan't be able to say that your father stints you in anything that your position requires.” “Thank you, father,” said Tom, pocketing the two twenty-dollar bills with great satisfaction.