gistfile1.txt

class List
  attr_accessor :per_page, :distribution, :page_count, :item_count

  def initialize(per_page=nil)
    @per_page     = per_page || 21
    @page_count   = -1 
    @item_count   = -1
    @distribution = []
  end  
end

class ListByCategory < List
  attr_reader :category
 
  def initialize(category_id=nil, per_page=nil)
    @category     = category_id || 'all'
    super(per_page)
  end   

  def item_count 
    puts "ITEM COUNT: " + @item_count.inspect 
  end
end
 => nil 
ListByCategory.new.item_count
ITEM COUNT: -1