erfectly reckless about putting things in that
trunk. I put into that trunk nearly everything I own in this world,
just because the trunk was so big that it would hold everything, and
it seemed a pity to bring a big trunk like that with nothing in it
but air. Now, I could take my suit-case and put into it the things I
will really need--"

"Certainly," said Mr. Fenelby. "You can do that if you want to, and
it would be perfectly fair to Bobberts. All Bobberts asks is to be
paid a duty on what enters the house. He don't say what shall be
brought in, or what shall not. Personally, Billy, I would call the
duty off, so far as you are concerned, but I don't think Laura would
like it. We started this thing fair, and we are all living up to it.
Laura made Kitty live up to it and you can see it would not be right
for me to make an exception in your case just because you happen to
be my brother."

"No," agreed Billy, "it wouldn't. I don't ask it. I will play the
game and I will play it fair. All I ask is: If I bring a suit-case,
do I have to pay on the case? Because if I do, I won't bring it. I
can wrap all I need in a piece of paper, and save the duty on the
suit-case. I believe in playing fair, Tom, but that is no reason why
I should be extravagant."

"I think," said Tom, doubtfully, "suit-cases should come in free. Of
course, if it was a brand new suit-case it would have to pay duty,
but an old one--one that has been used--is different. It is like
wrapping-paper. The duty is assessed on what the package contains
and not on the package itself. If it is not a new suit-case you
will not have to pay duty on it."

"Then my suit-case will go in free," said Billy. "It is one of the
first crop of suit-cases that was raised in this country, and I
value it more as a relic than as a suit-case. I carry it more as a
souvenir than as a suit-case."

"Souvenirs are different," said Mr. Fenelby. "Souvenirs are classed
as luxuries, and pay thirty per cent. If you consider it a souvenir
it pays duty."

"I will consider it a suit-case," said Billy promptly. "I will
consider it a poor old, worn-out suit-case."

"I think that would be better," agreed Mr. Fenelby. "But we will
have to wait and see what Laura considers it."

As on the previous evening the ladies were on the porch, enjoying
the evening air, when Mr. Fenelby reached home, with Billy in tow,
and Billy greeted them as if he had never wished anything better
than to meet Miss Ki