It was not his idea that he could get rich by saving.
From the first he had the notion that liberal spending was better, and that somehow he would get along.
It was in this year, or a little earlier, that he began to take an interest in girls.

He had from the first a keen eye for the beautiful among them; and, being good-looking and magnetic himself, it was not difficult for him to attract the sympathetic interest of those in whom he was interested.

A twelve-year old girl, Patience Barlow, who lived further up the street, was the first to attract his attention or be attracted by him.

Black hair and snapping black eyes were her portion, with pretty pigtails down her back, and dainty feet and ankles to match a dainty figure.

She was a Quakeress, the daughter of Quaker parents, wearing a demure little bonnet.