much obliged to you, but I would rather not have one. I have a very good
coat--and I think it would be waste."

"Well, let me out of the carriage and we will see about it," said Mr.
Gresham "perhaps the sight of the beautiful green and white cloth, and
the epaulettes (have you ever considered the epaulettes?) may tempt you
to change your mind."

"Oh, no," said Ben, laughing; "I shall not change my mind."

The green cloth, and the white cloth, and the epaulettes, were produced,
to Hal's infinite satisfaction. His uncle took up a pen, and calculated
for a few minutes; then, showing the back of the letter, upon which he
was writing, to his nephews, "Cast up these sums, boys," said he, "and
tell me whether I am right."

"Ben, do you do it," said Hal, a little embarrassed; "I am not quick at
figures."

Ben _was_, and he went over his uncle's calculation very expeditiously.

"It is right, is it?" said Mr. Gresham.

"Yes, Sir, quite right."

"Then by this calculation, I find I could for less than half the money
your uniforms would cost, purchase for each of you boys a warm
great-coat, which you will want, I have a notion, this winter upon the
Downs."

"Oh, Sir," said Hal, with an alarmed look; "but it is not winter _yet_;
it is not cold weather yet. We sha'n't want great-coats _yet_."

"Don't you remember how cold we were, Hal, the day before yesterday, in
that sharp wind, when we were flying our kite upon the Downs?--and
winter will come, though it is not come yet; I am sure, I should like to
have a good warm great-coat very much," said Ben.

Mr. Gresham took six guineas out of his purse; and he placed three of
them before Hal, and three before Ben.

"Young gentlemen," said he, "I believe your uniforms would come to about
three guineas apiece. Now I will lay out this money for you just as you
please: Hal, what say you?"

"Why, Sir," said Hal, "a great-coat is a good thing, to be sure; and
then, after the great-coat, as you said it would only cost half as much
as the uniform, there would be some money to spare, would not there?"

"Yes, my dear, about five-and-twenty shillings."

"Five-and-twenty shillings! I could buy and do a great many things, to
be sure, with five-and-twenty shillings; but then, _the thing is_, I
must go without the uniform, if I have the great-coat."

"Certainly," said his uncle.

"Ah!" said Hal, sighing as he looked at the epaulettes, "Uncle, if you
would not be displeased if I choo