Rollo in Paris | Page 7

them in his purse,
quite proud of having so much spending money.
"And you say that I must not spend any of it without first asking you,"
said Rollo.
"O, no," replied Mr. George, "I have not said any such thing. That
would be a great deal of trouble, both for you and for me."
"But I thought you said that I was not to spend any thing without your

consent."
[Illustration: THE DINNER AT NEW HAVEN.]
"No," said Mr. George, "I said against my consent. I may forbid your
spending whenever I think proper; but I shall not do so, so long as I
find you always ask me in doubtful cases. Spend for yourself freely,
whenever you are sure it is right. When you are not sure, ask me. If I
find you abuse the privilege, I shall have to restrict you. Otherwise,
not."
Rollo was well satisfied with this understanding of the case; and just
then the waiter came in, bearing a handsome silver tureen containing
soup, which he put down upon the table, between Mr. George and
Rollo. So the writing materials and the purses were put away, and the
two travellers were soon occupied very busily in eating their dinner.
CHAPTER II.
CROSSING THE CHANNEL.
Mr. Holiday had two reasons for making the arrangements described in
the last chapter, in respect to Rollo's expenses. In the first place, it
would gratify Rollo himself, who would feel more independent, and
more like a man, he thought, in being allowed thus, in some measure,
to have the charge and control of his own expenditures. But his second
and principal reason was, that he might accustom his son, in early life,
to bear pecuniary responsibilities, and to exercise judgment and
discretion in the use of money. Many young men never have any
training of this sort till they become of age. Before that time, whenever
they wish for money, they go to their father and ask for it. They take all
they can get; and when that is gone, they go and ask for more. They
have no direct personal motive for exercising prudence and economy,
and they have no experience of the evils that result from thriftlessness
and prodigality. It is much better for all children that they should have
pecuniary responsibilities, such as are suited to their years, thrown
upon them in their youth, when the mistakes they make in acquiring
their experience are of little moment. The same mistakes made after

they become of age might be their ruin.
In carrying the system into effect in Rollo's case, there seemed to be
something very abrupt, at least, if not positively harsh, in Mr. George's
mode of dealing with him. And yet Rollo did not dislike it. He felt that
his uncle was treating him more like a man, on this account, or rather
more like a large boy, and not like a child. In fact, a part of the rough
handling which Rollo got from his uncle was due to this very
circumstance--Mr. George having observed that he did not mind being
knocked about a little.
After dinner, Rollo proposed to his uncle that they should go out and
take a walk.
"I will go with you a few minutes," said Mr. George, "and then I must
return to my room, and write up my journal."
"Say half an hour," rejoined Rollo.
"Well," replied Mr. George, "we will say half an hour."
So they sallied forth upon the pier behind the hotel. Mr. George took a
general survey of the harbor, and of the vessels that were lying in it,
and also of the peaks and headlands which were seen at the mouth of it,
toward the sea.
"I should like to be on that hill," said Mr. George, "to look off over the
channel, and see if I could discern the coast of France from it."
"Let's go there," said Rollo.
"That would take more than half an hour," replied Mr. George.
"Well, at any rate, let's go on board the steamer," said Rollo.
So, taking Mr. George by the hand, he led him along to the brink of the
pier. Mr. George looked over, and saw the steamer lying at rest in its
muddy bed below.

"Is it possible?" said Mr. George, in a tone of great astonishment.
"Can it be possible?" repeated Mr. George.
"What?" inquired Rollo. "What is it that surprises you so much?"
"Why, to find such a steamer as this for the travel on one of the great
thoroughfares between England and France. Let's go down on board."
So Mr. George led the way, and Rollo followed down the plank. The
plank landed them on the top of the paddle box. From that place, a few
steps led to the deck. They