Before Mr. Clyde and Jack left the next day, Budd sought an opportunity
to interview the latter on a subject, that, for a few weeks past, had
been occupying many of his thoughts. The applause, with which his
Christmas-day toast had been greeted, had encouraged him to seek an
occasion for acquiring more definite knowledge on a subject which lay
near his heart. It came when Jack was packing his dress-suit case in
the guest chamber.
There was a knock on the half-opened door.
"Come in," said Jack, and Budd made his appearance.
"Halloo, Budd! What can I do for you? Any commissions in New York, or
Boston?"
"Don't know what you mean by commissions," replied Budd, cautiously,
thrusting both hands deep into the pockets of his knickerbockers, and
spreading his sturdy legs to a wide V.
"Anything I can buy with that hen-and-jam money you helped to earn?--you
did well, Budd, on that. I congratulate you."
"I have n't any of that money left. You see, we voted to give it to
March to go to college with. But I 've got two quarters an' a
dollar--Christmas presents, you know; an' that 'll do, won't it?" he
asked rather anxiously.
"Well, that depends on what you buy," said Jack, with due seriousness.
"You 'll keep mum, Mr. Sherrill, if I tell you?" said Budd, inquiringly.
"Mum's the word, if you say so, Budd; out with it."
"Well, I want two things; one thing to make me feel grown up, an' I 've
wanted it for a year."
"What's that, Budd?" asked Jack, immensely amused at Budd's swelling
manhood--"A pair of long trousers?"
"No--" Budd hesitated for a moment, then went on in rather an aggrieved
tone; "I hate to wear waists with buttons; it's just like a baby, an' a
fellow can't feel grown up when he has to button everything on. I want
to hitch things up the way March an' Chi do, an' I want you to buy me a
shirt like that one you 're rolling up--only not flannel,--with a flap,
you know, to tuck in."
"Oh, that's it, is it?" said Jack, endeavoring to keep his face and
voice from betraying his inward amusement. "Well, I think you can get
one for seventy-five cents--plain or striped?"
"I like those narrow blue striped ones like yours best," he replied,
pointing to one of Jack's.
"Like mine it shall be, Budd; but you 'll want a pair of suspenders, or
there 'll be too much hitching to be agreeable to you."
"March has an old pair, an' I 'm going to borrow them."
"That's an idea; now, what's the second thing?"
"A ring."
"A ring?" Jack looked amazed.
Budd nodded.
"For yourself?" Jack questioned further.
"No--for somebody else."
"Do you mean a finger ring?"
Budd nodded again emphatically.
"Engagement?" laughed Jack, at last, the fun getting the better of him.