are you going?" asked Bobby, after he had made up his
mind not to object to the companionship of the other.

"I don't know. You have been a good friend to me lately, and I had an
idea that you would give me a lift in this business."

"I should be very willing to do so: but what can I do for you?"

"Just show me how the business is done; that's all I want."

"Your father and mother were willing you should come--were they not?"

Bobby had some doubts about this point, and with good reason too. He
had called at Tom's house, the day before, and they had gone to church
together; but neither he nor his parents had said a word about his
going to Boston.

"When did they agree to it?"

"Last night," replied Tom, after a moment's hesitation.

"All right then; but I cannot promise you that Mr. Bayard will let you
have the books."

"I can fix that, I reckon," replied Tom, confidently.

"I will speak a good word for you, at any rate."

"That's right, Bob."

"I am going down into the State of Maine this time, and shall be gone
three or four weeks."

"So much the better; I always wanted to go down that way."

Tom asked a great many questions about the business and the method of
travelling, which Bobby's superior intelligence and more extensive
experience enabled him to answer to the entire satisfaction of the
other.

When they were within half a mile of the railroad station, they heard a
carriage driven at a rapid rate approaching them from the direction of
Riverdale.

Tom seemed to be uneasy, and cast frequent glances behind him. In a
moment the vehicle was within a short distance of them, and he stopped
short in the road to scrutinize the persons in it.

"By jolly!" exclaimed Tom; "my father!"

"What of it?" asked Bobby, surprised by the strange behavior of his
companion.

Tom did not wait to reply, but springing over the fence, fled like a
deer towards some woods a short distance from the road.

Was it possible? Tom had run away from home. His father had not
consented to his going to Boston, and Bobby was mortified to find that
his hopeful disciple had been lying to him ever since they left
Riverdale. But he was glad the cheat had been exposed.

"That was Tom with you--wasn't it?" asked Mr. Spicer, as he stopped the
foaming horse.

"Yes, sir; but he told me you had consented that he should go with me,"
replied Bobby, a little disturbed by the angry glance of Mr. Spicer's
fiery eyes.

"He lied! t