“What a fine library you have, Oscar!” he exclaimed.

“I have a few books,” said Oscar.  “My father filled a couple of boxes, and sent me.  He has a large library.”

“This seems a large library to me,” said Harry.  “My father likes reading, but he is poor, and cannot afford to buy books.”

He said that in a matter-of-fact tone, without the least attempt to conceal what many boys would have been tempted to hide.  Oscar noted this, and liked his new friend the better for it.

“Yes,” he said, “books cost money, and one hasn’t always the money to spare.”

“Have you read all these books?”

“Not more than half of them.  I like reading better than studying, I am afraid.  I am reading the Waverley novels now.  Have you read any of them?”

“So; I never saw any of them before.”

“If you see anything you would like to read, I will lend it to you with pleasure,” said Oscar, noticing the interest with which Harry regarded the books.

“Will you?” said Harry, eagerly.  “I can’t tell you how much obliged I am.  I will take good care of it.”

“Oh, I am sure of that.  Here, try Ivanhoe.  I’ve just read it, and it’s tip-top.”

“Thank you; I will take it on your recommendation.  What a nice room you have!”

“Yes, it’s pretty comfortable.  Father told me to fix it up to suit me.  He said he wouldn’t mind the expense if I would only study.”

“I should think anybody might study in such a room as this, and with such a fine collection of books.”

“I’m rather lazy sometimes,” said Oscar, “but I shall turn over a new leaf some of these days, and astonish everybody.  To-night, as I have no studying to do, I’ll tell you what we’ll do.  Did you ever pop corn?”

“Sometimes.”

“I’ve got some corn here, and Ma’am Greyson has a popper.  Stay here alone a minute, and I’ll run down and get it.”

Oscar ran down stairs, and speedily returned with a corn-popper.

“Now we’ll have a jolly time,” said he.  “Draw up that arm-chair, and make yourself at home.  If Xenophon, or Virgil, or any of those Greek and Latin chaps call, we’ll tell ’em we are transacting important business and can’t be disturbed.  What do you say?”

“They won’t be apt to call on me,” said Harry.  I haven’t the pleasure of knowing them.”

“It isn’t always a pleasure, I can assure you, Harry.  Pass over the corn-popper.”

CHAPTER V.

A young F. F. B.