It was neatly mended, and looked very well; but his eye rested upon a slight patch upon one of the elbows, which entirely spoilt it for him, although it had previously been a favorite garment.
"It's too small for me," he said; "why can't you keep it for Ralph ?" "No, you needn't keep it for Ralph," quickly replied the owner of that name; "I haven't had anything but your old clothes to wear for a year or two, and I should think it was my turn to have some of the new ones, now.

Make him wear that out, mother, won't you ?" "Yes, I intend he shall wear it awhile longer," replied Mrs.Preston.
"It looks well enough for any body." "But see that detestable patch," said Oscar; "I don't want to wear _that_ to school; folks will think I have borrowed one of Ben.

Wright's old jackets." Ben Wright was one of Oscar's schoolmates.

He was the son of a poor widow, and was the most be-patched boy in Oscar's class, at the head of which he stood.

As he had nothing to recommend him but fine scholarship, exemplary deportment, and a good character, in school and out, he was a boy of little consequence in the eyes of Oscar.
"I wish you were _worthy_ to wear one of Benny's old jackets," replied Mrs.Preston.