Tennis Shoes Read Free Page A

naturally if you put something in at the top it would drop to the bottom, the other half could not help thinking of the pound note sliding down the bedroom chimney and walking in a very dignified way to the door and along the passage and then, step by step, down the stairs to the hall.
    â€˜What’s the money for?’ Jim asked.
    Grandfather pulled David between his knees.
    â€˜I was just going to tell you that. Years ago, when I was no bigger than Jim, I was given my first tennis-racket. It was a funny present, for where I lived there was no tennis-court. We had a house in a big London square, and Londoners, especially children, had no tennis-courts or clubs in those days. I used to look at that racket and wish I could play with it. Of course I took it across to the square gardens and we used it for rounders and tip-and-run, but I always thought those games rather a come-down for a lordly thing like a tennis-racket.’
    â€˜Daddy gave Jim and me our rackets for our last birthday,’ Susan put in.
    â€˜I know, my dear.’ Grandfather lifted his left eyebrow at her and the red hairs on it stood out more stiffly even than usual; it was a way they had when he was interested in what he was saying. ‘That’s just the point. I have an idea that you might be some good at tennis. It’s fun playing a game, however you play it; but to be first-class! That really is worth while. But games cost money, especially in London. That’s why I bought you this money-box. It’s where the savings can go which will keep you in rackets and balls and pay your subscription to a club.’
    Jim looked at the front door.
    â€˜Will we always have to bring it down here when we want some money out of it?’
    Grandfather held out the key to his son.
    â€˜No. I’m giving it to your father. Put it on your watch-chain, Edward.’
    Nicky frowned at the house, with her head on one side.
    â€˜What I don’t see,’ she said at last, ‘is, who except you is going to put the money in?’
    Jim lifted the chimney and tried to look inside.
    We know there are four pounds in. That’s an awful lot of money. It will probably last years and years.’
    Grandfather shook his head.
    â€˜Wish it would. Four pounds won’t even stand the rackets and the balls. Then, later on, there’ll be tournaments. If you’re going to be any good at all, you must play in a tournament or two.’
    â€˜Tournaments!’ They all stared at him.
    â€˜I say, do you mean proper ones with people watching?’ Jim asked.
    â€˜That’s right,’ grandfather nodded. ‘There’s all sorts of expenses. Four pounds won’t last long.’
    â€˜It won’t, indeed!’ Mrs. Heath agreed.
    â€˜I suggest’—grandfather fingered the box as though he were fond of it—‘that everybody puts something in when they can.’ He smiled down at David who was fiddling in his pockets. ‘Even if it’s only a farthing.’
    â€˜That’s right.’ Pinny felt the whole conversation was most admirable. ‘A penny saved to-day is a pound to-morrow.’
    â€˜Not always,’ Jim objected. ‘I’ve had a penny since last Saturday. I saved it because it wasn’t enough to buy anything I wanted, and it isn’t a pound yet, it’s still just a penny.’
    Pinny smiled.
    â€˜It’s been turned over so often in your pocket, Jim, that I’m afraid it’s the rolling stone gathering no moss.’
    â€˜But rolling stones do,’ Jim argued. ‘I saw a stone once——’
    â€˜Never mind, son,’ Dr. Heath interrupted. ‘I think I heard the bell for your dinner.’
    They all turned to go, then Susan came back.
    â€˜Thank you for the house, grandfather. What shall we call it?’
    He looked at it thoughtfully.
    â€˜I don’t know. What do you think?’
    â€˜â€œBella Vista” is sweetly