I've been through three books since you deserted our readings." "Oh, Virgil's jolly enough," replied the boy; "I'm going to finish it as soon as my experiments are over." "What experiments ?" "Oh, it's a dodge to--I'd show it you as soon as it's finished.

It's nearly done now, and it will be a tremendous tip." This is all that can be extracted from the youthful man of science--at least, by the elders.

To Raby, when the family retires to the drawing- room, the boy is more confidential, and she once more captivates him by entering heart and soul into his project and entreating to be made a party in the experiments.
"I'd see," says he; "but mind you don't go chattering!" Mr Rimbolt gravitates as usual to his library, and here it is that half an hour later his son presents himself, still in his working garb.
"Father," says the hopeful, "please can you give me some money ?" "Why, you have had ten shillings a week since you came home!" "Aren't you a millionaire, father ?" "Some people say so." "Doesn't that mean you've got a million pounds ?" "That's what `millionaire' means." "Ten shillings a week is only twenty-six pounds a year." "Quite right, and few boys get such good pocket-money." "When I come into the property I shall allow my son more than that," says Percy gravely.
"Not if you love him as much as I love my son," says Mr Rimbolt, with a pleasant smile.
"Good-night, father." "Good-night! Why, it's only half-past seven." "I know.

I'm going to _get_ up early; I've got a lot of work to do.
Besides, I'm miserable." "Why ?" "Because I can't get any money." "Why not earn some?
I want some one to catalogue my books for me.

What do you say to doing it?
I shall pay half a crown a shelf." Percy hesitates a bit, and looks at the bookcases, and makes a mental calculation.
"That will be about twelve pounds, won't it?
Have you got a book to write the names on ?" "What! Are you going to begin now ?" "Yes." And Percy sits up till eleven o'clock, and succeeds in that time in cataloguing after a fashion, and not badly for a first attempt, two of the smallest shelves in the library, for which he receives then and there five shillings, much to his own comfort and to his father's amusement.
Mrs Rimbolt comes into the library just as the business is concluded.
"Why, Percy, not in bed--and so tired too!" "Oh, I've been doing some work for father," says the boy, chinking the two half-crowns in his pocket.
"But your father, I'm sure, would not wish you to injure your health." "Certainly not.