The idea of a girl living right here with them in the same house startled and troubled him.

His mother had called her a little girl, but he remembered her as being only a year or two younger than he.

Gee! "That's why I wanted you to get a pair of decent shoes for tomorrow," said the mother, "and I told you to get a nice pair.

I have brushed and pressed your clothes, but you must get a new suit as soon as possible.
Where are your shoes! I couldn't find them." "I--didn't get any shoes, mother." "Didn't get any! Why not ?" "Well, you see--I didn't know about these visitors coming, mother, and so I--bought some books for most of my money, and so; but mother, don't get mad--I--" "Books?
What books?
Where are they ?" And then Dorian told her plainly the whole miserable story.

At first the mother was angry, but when she saw the troubled face of her boy, she relented, not wishing to add to his misery.