"Sell 'em to me, if you don't want 'em," spoke up Dick, quickly.
"What'll you take for 'em? Make it low, to fit a schoolboy's
shallow purse."

"Hm! I'll speak to the proprietor about it," replied Pollock,
who presently brought back the word:

"As they're for you, Dick, the proprietor says you can take the
pair for two-fifty. And if you're short of cash, I'll take fifty
cents a week out of your space bill until the amount is paid."

"Fine and dandy!" uttered Dick, his eyes glowing.

"One's for your mother," hinted Mr. Pollock teasingly. "_But
who's the girl_?"

"Two girls," Dick corrected him, unabashed. "My mother never
uses hair-curlers."

"_Two girls_?" cried Mr. Pollock, looking aghast. "Dick! Dick!
You study history at the High School, don't you?"

"Yes, sir; of course."

"Then don't you know, my boy, how often _two girls_ have altered
the fates of whole nations? Tremble and be wise!"

"I haven't any girl," Dick retorted, sensibly, "and I think a
fellow is weak-minded to talk about having a girl until he can
also talk authoritatively on the ability to support a wife. But