I hesitated whether I should tell you or father, but he wouldn't understand how boys think of these things so well as you do; so I thought as you were head of the school it was best you should know." "I wish you hadn't told me," Ripon grumbled.

"I am sure I don't know what's best to do;" and he turned away and began to pace the yard moodily up and down.
"The only thing I have decided," he said to Ned the next day, "is to ask Mother Brown myself how much Mather paid her.

We may as well settle that question first." As this was Wednesday and the cake woman was coming that evening there was not long to wait.

Ripon chose a time when most of the boys had made their purchases and the old woman was alone.
"Don't you give too much tick to any of the fellows, Mother Brown," he began.

"You know it isn't always easy to get money that's owing." "I should think not, Master Ripon; I wish they would always pay money down as you do.