Page:The Grey Story Book (1905).pdf/70



UT, Uncle Fred, it isn't the least bit of use for you to do it. You could offer me ten pairs of skates if I would stand eighty-five per cent in arithmetic examination, and it wouldn't make the least scrap of difference. I don't know fractions and I never will, and it's no use to try," and Charley threw his book half-way across the table and sent his tablet and pencil after it, in disgust.

"That's too bad," said Uncle Fred, soberly. "I always thought that you were as smart as other boys of your age. You see, it means not only the loss of the skates, but I can't see how you can ever keep a store like your papa's, when you grow up, if you don't know arithmetic."

"Well, I can't help it," said Charley, dismally. "I can get geography and spelling and