146 THE STRAWBERRY GARDEN. 



" How so? Has anybody been so honest as to make a 

 return on some over-paid bill? " 



"No." 



" Then where did it come from ; and if it is for me, how 

 shall I enter it in my books ? " 



" Call it new income/' said Johnny. 



"No," cried Kate. "Call it Johnny's present. He 

 earned it, and it is to help pay for coal and things." 



1 ' Earned it ! Really , he is beginning young. Come, 

 let us have breakfast and talk this thing over. Have 

 we no fresh strawberries to-day ? ' ' 



"Yes," said Mary, uncovering one small saucerful. 

 " These are for you. We do not care for any." 



Mr. Wellson took the proffered fruit, saying, " Ripo 

 fruit is always best at breakfast." After adding sugar and 

 cream to the berries, he paused a moment to count the 

 money as it lay on the table. 



' ' Three dollars and a half. You must have worked 

 long and hard to have earned so much. Tell us how you 

 did it." 



Johnny was absorbed in bread and butter, and was " too 

 full for utterance." 



"Have you lost your appetite for strawberries?" said 

 Mr. Wellson, turning to Kate. 



" Oh, dear, no ; only I don't care for any to-day." 



" Neither do I." said Johnny. 



"Really this is strange. Strawberries refused, and 



