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Rh "Oh," he replied to Ada, "you bought them, did you? Well, don't you know that you're not allowed to buy anything that can't come under one of the heads of Clothes, Amusements, or Body-upkeep, without permission? Haven't you ever heard that before?"

"Of course I have," the girl assured him. "But I've wanted a set of Stevenson for a long time, father."

"Well, get over wanting it. I'm not made of money. The best library in the country is only a car-fare away."

"They won't cost you anything, father. I had just ordered a new suit when I saw those books in the window, and what I did was to go back and cancel my suit, and order the books instead."

"Yes," retorted Marcus, "I've had that game worked before. Next time you happen to run across a diamond bracelet you want, or a pearl necklace, it will be instead of that suit again. I know women!"

"You know I don't care about jewelry, father," said Ada.

Just like a girl, thought Marcus. No use trying to argue with them. They always chase down a side-path after your similes and examples, and lose sight of the main issue. "You send the books back," he said.