ord 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.

As the two boys sat in front of the fire, popping and eating the
corn, and chatting of one thing and another, their acquaintance
improved rapidly. Harry learned that Oscar's father was a Boston
merchant, in the Calcutta trade, with a counting-room on Long Wharf.
Oscar was a year older than himself, and the oldest child. He had a
sister of thirteen, named Florence, and a y