“Then you was scared?” remarked William.

“I guess that was the name of it,” replied James.

“Your essay wan’t scared, Jim; it was capital,” continued William. “I should be willing to shake a trifle, if I could write such an essay. Some of them were astonished that such a suit of clothes as yours should hide such a production.”

“Much obliged,” answered James; “you seem to praise my essay at the expense of my clothing. I can afford a better essay than suit of clothes. It costs only thought and labour to produce the essay, but it costs money to get clothes.”

James had taken from the library the “Life of Henry C. Wright,” and had become deeply interested in its perusal. He learned of the privations and denials of Mr. Wright, as well as his methods in acquiring an education; and he was captivated by the spirit of the man.

“We can live cheaper than we do,” he remarked to his cousins. “Another term we must adopt Mr. Wright’s diet.”

“What was that?” inquired Henry.

“Milk.”

“Nothing but milk?”

“Bread and milk; a milk diet wholly.”

“How long?”

“Right through his course of study.”

“Was it cheaper than we are living—thirty-five cents a week, apiece?”

“Yes; but better than that, it was healthier.”

“How did he know that?”

“Because he was better than ever before, and had a clearer head for study.”

“It may not suit us, though,” remarked William, who had been listening to the conversation.

“We shan’t know till we try,” answered James. “I propose to try it next term. We are a little too extravagant in our living now; we must cut down our expenses. I have had the last cent that I shall take from my friends. I shall pay my own way hereafter.”

“You can’t do it,” said Henry.

“Then I will quit study. I know I can do it. My mother needs all the money she can get without helping me.”

“I admire your pluck,” added Henry; “but I think you will find yourself mistaken.”

“As I am earning money now, I can pay my way,” continued James; “and on a milk diet I can scrimp a little more.”

“And if you should conclude not to eat anything, you could live at very small expense,” retorted Henry, by way of making fun of his milk diet.