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 "Must be fourteen or fifteen years. He came as assistant to old Mr. Flagg, who's superintendent of education now. I suppose Mr. Grayson can't be much over fifty, Gordie, but I'm so used to thinking him an old man that it seems as if he was somewhere about seventy."

"I suppose he really isn't so dreadfully old," said the other. "I dare say most of the fellows will be glad to chip in and get him a present."

"How much money will it take?" asked Dick.

"I don't know. I suppose the idea is to get as much as we can and buy accordingly. If every student gave a dollar"

"Some of them won't give a quarter," replied Dick. "Lots of them can't afford to."

"Well, if only half of them gave a dollar apiece"

"Don't count your chickens before they're hatched, Gordie. And pile out now; I've got to get home to supper. What time does this conference take place? Do I have to 'doll up' for it?"

"Of course not. They didn't say what time. About half-past seven, I suppose. Ask Grace."

"I might do that," agreed Dick, as Gordon vacated his seat. "See you later then. Get up, Eli!"