So much was this the case that long before the closing of school in the early summer Larry was offered work for the whole summer by their neighbour, Mr.Martin, at one dollar a day.

He could hardly believe his good fortune inasmuch as he had never in all his life been paid at a rate exceeding half that amount.
"I shall have a lot of money, mother," he said, "for my high school now.
I wonder how much it will cost me for the term." Thereupon his mother seized the opportunity to discuss the problem with him which she knew they must face together.
"Let us see," said his mother.
Then each with pencil and paper they drew up to the table, but after the most careful paring down of expenses and the most optimistic estimate of their resources consistent with fact, they made the rather discouraging discovery that they were still fifty dollars short.
"I can't do it, mother," said Larry, in bitter disappointment.
"We shall not give up yet," said his mother.

"Indeed, I think with what we can make out of the farm and garden and poultry, we ought to be able to manage." But a new and chilling thought had come to the lad.

He pondered silently, and as he pondered his face became heavily shadowed.
"Say, mother," he said suddenly, "we can't do it.

How much are you going to spend on your clothes ?" "All I need," said his mother brightly.
"But how much ?" "I don't know." "How much did you spend last year ?" "Oh, never mind, Lawrence; that really does not matter." But the boy insisted.