CHAPTER Twenty--I Prove Myself To Be the Grandson of My Grandfather.
It was not possible for a boy of my temperament to be a blighted being longer than three consecutive weeks.
I was gradually emerging from my self-imposed cloud when events took place that greatly assisted in restoring me to a more natural frame of mind.

I awoke from an imaginary trouble to face a real one.
I suppose you don't know what a financial crisis is?
I will give you an illustration.
You are deeply in debt--say to the amount of a quarter of a dollar--to the little knicknack shop round the corner, where they sell picture-papers, spruce-gum, needles, and Malaga raisins.

A boy owes you a quarter of a dollar, which he promises to pay at a certain time.

You are depending on this quarter to settle accounts with the small shop-keeper.

The time arrives--and the quarter doesn't.