“I shall be very glad to oblige Harry,” said the older workman, “and I hope he will have a good time.”

“That settles the question, Harry,” said Oscar, joyfully.  “So all you’ve got to do is to pack up and be ready to start to-morrow morning.  It’s Tuesday, you know, already.”

Harry hesitated, and Oscar observed it.

“Well, what’s the matter now?” he said; “out with it.”

“I’ll tell you, Oscar,” said Harry, coloring a little.  “Your father is a rich man, and lives handsomely.  I haven’t any clothes good enough to wear on a visit to your house.”

“Oh, hang your clothes!” said Oscar, impetuously.  “It isn’t your clothes we invite.  It’s yourself.”

“Still, Oscar—­”

“Come, I see you think I am like Fitz Fletcher, after all.  Say you think me a snob, and done with it.”

“But I don’t,” said Harry, smiling.

“Then don’t make any more ridiculous objections.  Don’t you think they are ridiculous, Mr. Ferguson?”

“They wouldn’t be in some places,” said Ferguson, “but here I think they are out of place.  I feel sure you are right, and that you value Harry more than the clothes he wears.”

“Well, Harry, do you surrender at discretion?” said Oscar.  “You see Ferguson is on my side.”

“I suppose I shall have to,” said Harry, “as long as you are not ashamed of me.”

“None of that, Harry.”

“I’ll go.”

“The first sensible words you’ve spoken this morning.”

“I want to tell you how much I appreciate your kindness, Oscar,” said Harry, earnestly.

“Why shouldn’t I be kind to my friend?”

“Even if he was once a printer’s devil.”

“Very true.  It is a great objection, but still I will overlook it.  By the way, there is one inducement I didn’t mention.”

“What is that?”

“We may very likely see Fitz in the city.  He is studying at home now, I hear.  Who knows but he may get up a great party in your honor?”

“Do you think it likely?” asked Harry, smiling.

“It might not happen to occur to him, I admit.  Still, if we made him a ceremonious call—­”

“I am afraid he might send word that he was not at home.”

“That would be a loss to him, no doubt.  However, we will leave time to settle that question.  Be sure to be on hand in time for the morning train.”

“All right, Oscar.”

Harry had all the love of new scenes natural to a boy of sixteen.  He had heard so much of Boston that he felt a strong curiosity to see it.  Besides, was not that the city where the “Weekly Standard” was printed, the paper in which he had already appeared as an author?  In connection with this, I must here divulge a secret of Harry’s.  He was ambitious not only to contribute to the literary papers, but to be paid for his contributions.  He judged that essays were not very marketable, and he had therefore