Oscar was not very much pleased with the contents of the letter.  He did not expect to be recalled so suddenly.  He had hoped that, at any rate, he should not be sent to school again that term.  But, his plans and hopes were all overturned by this letter.  He went into the house, and told the news to his aunt, who expressed regret that he was to leave so soon.

By-and-bye Jerry came home, but he brought the same scowl upon his face that Oscar left with him up in the woods.  Oscar, too, was as “stuffy” as ever.  No words passed between the two, and each seemed bent upon giving the other a wide berth.  At the supper table, something was said about Oscar’s letter, and his going home; but Jerry was too obstinate to ask any questions, and so he remained in tormenting uncertainty in regard to the matter.  Oscar, too, had some curiosity about the gun, but he did not intend to “speak first,” if he never spoke again to his cousin.

During the whole evening, Oscar and Jerry were at the opposite poles of the little family circle.  When Oscar retired for the night, he found Jerry not only abed, but asleep, or pretending to be.  It was a wonder that both did not tumble out of bed that night; for each slept upon the extreme edge of the mattress, as far as possible from the other.

When Oscar awoke in the morning, he found himself alone, Jerry having quietly arisen and slipped out of the room, without disturbing him.  They did not see each other until they met at the breakfast table.  Here, their sober and quiet demeanor, so unusual with them, soon attracted notice.

“See how down in the mouth Jerry is!” said Emily.  “He looks as though he had lost all his friends.  And Oscar does n’t look much better either, poor fellow!”

Both boys changed color, and looked queerly, but they said nothing.

“Never mind, boys,” said Mrs. Preston, “you ’ve got one day more to enjoy yourselves together.  You ’d better make the most of that, while it lasts, and not worry about the separation till the time comes.”

“That’s good doctrine,” said Mr. Preston; “never borrow trouble, for it comes fast enough any way.  Come, cheer up, Oscar, you have n’t gone yet.”

“It’s too bad to make me go home so soon—­I thought I was going to stay here a month or two,” said Oscar, who was very willing that his unusual demeanor should be attributed entirely to his summons home.

“You must ask your father to let you come down and spend your vacation,” said Mr. Preston.  “I expect to go up to Boston about that time, and I guess he will let me bring you home with me.”

“I should like to come,” said Oscar, “but I don’t believe father will let me, it’s so far.”

“O yes, he will, when he knows what good friends you and Jerry are,” replied Mr. Preston.

“Jerry ’s crying, as true as I ’m alive!” exclaimed Emily, who had been watching the workings of her brother’s face for several moments, and thought she saw moisture gathering in his eye.