But, further, Louis and I were unable to go to dancing-schools, or to public dances, which were very good places for getting acquainted.

We didn't have the money.

He was a blacksmith's apprentice, and was earning but slightly more than I.
We both lived at home and paid our way.

When we had done this, and bought our cigarettes, and the inevitable clothes and shoes, there remained to each of us, for personal spending, a sum that varied between seventy cents and a dollar for the week.

We whacked this up, shared it, and sometimes loaned all of what was left of it when one of us needed it for some more gorgeous girl-adventure, such as car-fare out to Blair's Park and back--twenty cents, bang, just like that; and ice-cream for two--thirty cents; or tamales in a tamale-parlour, which came cheaper and which for two cost only twenty cents.
I did not mind this money meagreness.