his guard.

"Bringing suthin' in is good English, I hope, Mr. Littlepage. I mean that
your edication has cost your folks enough to warrant them in calling on you
for a little interest. How much do you suppose, now, has been spent on your
edication, beginning at the time you first went to Mr. Worden, and leaving
off the day you quitted Newark?"

"Really, I have not the smallest notion; the subject has never crossed my
mind."

"Did the old folks never say anything to you about it?--never foot up the
total?"

"I am sure it is not easy to see how this could be done, for I could not
help them in the least."

"But your father's books would tell that, as doubtless it all stands
charged against you."

"Stands charged against me!--How, sir! do you imagine my father makes
a charge in a book against me, whenever he pays a few pounds for my
education?"

"Certainly; how else could he tell how much you have had?--though, on
reflection, as you are an only child, it does not make so much difference.
You probably will get all, in the end."

"And had I a brother, or a sister, do you imagine, Mr. Newcome, each
shilling we spent would be set down in a book, as charges against us?"