Another time, when some of the elder boys were allowed to attend a grand concert in the village, Fred of course was in his glory, and took every means to create a sensation by his elaborate toilet.

And so he did! For as he sauntered beautifully up the hall to his seat in front, he was wholly unconscious that a startling label was hanging gracefully on the back buttons of his coat with this legend inscribed thereon-- "Look here! Our noted 50 shilling suit! A bargain!" It was not till he went to sit down that he discovered the heartless joke, and then--but we may as well draw a veil over his confusion.
Suffice it to say he did not enjoy the concert a bit.
But he was by no means cured of his vanity.

No, not even by a subsequent and still more embarrassing adventure.
Several of the boys, among whom were Fred and Jack Sloven, were one day down at the river bathing, when a sudden thought seized certain of Fred's tormentors to play him a very unkind trick.

So while he was swimming by himself some distance off, they scuttled ashore and made off, taking with them Jack Sloven dressed up in Fred's clothes, and, of course, leaving that disreputable young gentleman's garments behind for the dandy.

They made home as fast as they could, and Jack, as quickly as possible, divested himself of his unwonted finery, and put on another of his own suits.