This was a tempting invitation to Oscar, but he did not see how he could accept it.  He was needed at the store more than ever, that afternoon, but it was too bad to lose such a fine chance to enjoy himself.  Alfred was in a hurry, and could not stop long for him to consider the matter.  So he concluded to run home, and ask his father’s permission, while Alfred went and got the horse ready.  But when he got home, his father had left.  He found Ralph, however, who readily agreed to take his place at the store, for the afternoon; and on the strength of this arrangement, he hurried to the hotel and rode off with Alfred.

It was a mild, pleasant afternoon, and the boys had a fine ride.  Alfred had been among horses so much, that he understood their management pretty well, and was a very good driver.  He prided himself on his ability to turn a neat corner, and to steer through the narrowest and most crooked passage-ways, such as abound in the contracted and crowded streets of a city.  When they reached the broad avenues of Cambridge, he allowed Oscar to take the reins awhile, at his request.

Alfred’s step-father had been out to Cambridge, in the forenoon of the same day, and had purchased a horse at the cattle-market which is held weekly at that place.  As he was obliged to return home by the cars, he left word that he would send out for the horse, in the afternoon.  This was Alfred’s errand.  After several inquiries, the boys found the man who sold the horse.  Having examined the new purchase, and freely expressed their opinions of the animal’s “points,” they hitched his halter to the wagon, and set out for home.

The sun was rapidly descending, when the boys reached the hotel stable.  Oscar, who felt somewhat uneasy about his absence from the store, turned his steps in that direction, soon after he alighted from the wagon.  He found all hands very busy, and for a long time no one appeared to notice him.  At length his father happened to come to the part of the shop where he was, and asked him where he had been all the afternoon.  Oscar proceeded to explain the cause of his absence, but Mr. Preston was in too much of a hurry to listen to his long excuses, and so he cut him short, and told him, in not very pleasant tones, that Ralph had done the work, and he (Oscar) might go home again, just as soon as he pleased—­a privilege of which he quickly availed himself.

At the tea-table, that evening, Mr. Preston expressed his displeasure with Oscar’s conduct in very pointed terms.  Oscar now explained the circumstances of his going away—­his attempt to get his father’s consent, and the promise of Ralph to supply his place.  But the explanation did not satisfy Mr. Preston.  He said Oscar knew he was needed that afternoon, and he ought not to have asked to go away, or even to have thought of it.  Even if Ralph was willing to do his work, he did not like his putting so much upon his younger and weaker brother.