"That is very nearly my own situation," said Oliver. "I have a step-father, but he has cast me off."
"Did you care for him?"
"He never gave me cause to."
"Then you don't miss him?"
"He has all my mother's property,—property that should be mine,—and he cast me off with twenty dollars."
"He must be a mean skunk," said Mr. Bundy indignantly. "Tell me more about it."
Upon this Oliver told his story. Mr. Bundy listened with sympathizing interest. At onepoint he smote the table with his hard fist and exclaimed:
"The rhinoceros! I'd like to hammer him with my fist!"
"I should pity him if you did, Mr. Bundy," said Oliver smiling.
When the story was ended Nicholas took the boy's hand in his, while his rough features worked with friendly emotion.