"I'm sorry, Uncle Ezra," spoke Dick, contritely, and trying not to smile at Paul Drew. "We can take it out here for you. A little ether will do the trick. It will dissolve the grease. I'll take you to the chemical laboratory after lunch."
"No, the ether might eat a hole in my pants, and they're my second best ones. I'll wait until I git hum, and try the harness soap. Next time please don't yell so."
"I won't, Uncle Ezra. But dad sent me some good news, and I just couldn't help it."
"Is he going to take you to Europe this vacation?" asked Paul.
"Europe! You don't mean to tell me that Mortimer Hamilton is going to waste money on another trip to Europe?" cried Mr. Larabee, in horror.
"No, it isn't that," answered Dick. "He writes that as he sees by my reports I have done well this term, I may have just what I've been wanting a long time."
"To go into some business, I hope," said Mr. Larabee. "That would be a sensible present, and I could offer you a place in my woolen mill at a salary of----"
"No, thank you, Uncle Ezra," laughed Dick. "I think I'll stay here at Kentfield for another term yet."
"But what is it your father is going to give you?" asked Paul. "Don't keep us in suspense."
"It's a touring car!" cried Dick, in delight. "He says I can select the best and biggest car made, and send the bill to him. Hurray! Isn't that great news? Say, I can just about see where my vacation is coming in now, Paul."
"A touring car!" cried Mr. Larabee. "You mean an automobile, Dick? Why you've got one already. It would be a shameful waste of money to buy another. You can take what a touring car would cost, and invest the sum in some good securities. I have some that I acquired from that young man I spoke of to-day."
"I haven't a touring car," said Dick. "I have that little runabout; but it isn't much use. A touring car for mine!"
"Oh, the sinful waste of this rising generation!" murmured Uncle Ezra, shaking his head, sadly.
"What kind of a car is he going to give you, Dick?" asked Paul.
"He says I can pick it out myself. I'll read you that part of the letter," and Dick quoted from the missive:
"'I have been thinking of something you might like, Dick, as a sort of reward for your good work at school this winter. I know you have studied hard. I had a man come here to look over your runabout, thinking perhaps it could be fixed up, but he says it is hardly worth it. He advised trading it in for a new and up-to-date machine, and I think that best myself.