Page:The Poor Rich Man, and the Rich Poor Man.djvu/21

Rh "Oh, full of pictures—how lovely!" exclaimed Susan, running over the leaves; "did Paulina Clark get a book, Morris?"

"Yes, and she has changed it at Hutchinson's store for a pink silk handkerchief."

"How could she? I am sorry!" said Charlotte.

"It's just like her!" said Susan; and then, returning Morris's book, she added, "after all, I had rather have Harry's Bible."

"The more goose you, then—my book cost twice as much as his Bible."

"Did it?" Susan was rather crestfallen.

"To be sure it did, and, what is more, I can sell it for twice as much*"

"Ah, then I've caught you, sir; Harry would not sell his Bible for any sum, so by your own rule Harry's is worth the most!"

Morris was somewhat disconcerted. He resumed, in a lowered tone, "Maybe I should not sell it just for the dollar and a half; but, then, when one knows the value of money, one does not like to have so much lying idle. Money should work, as father says. If you could reckon interest and compound interest as well as I can. Miss Susan, I guess you would not like to have your money lying idle on a book-shelf!"

"I don't know what kind of interest compound interest is, Morris; but I know the interest I take in a pleasant book is better than a handful of money, and if I only had the dollar and a half I would give it to you in a minute for that book."

"Only had! Ah, there's the rub! you people that despise money never get it, and that is what father always says."