Roland stared at his father in anger and dismay. Could he really mean it? Had he been won over to Oliver's side? Oliver, too, was surprised. He began to entertain a much more favorable opinion of his step-father.
"Didn't you tell Oliver to pick it up yesterday afternoon?" demanded Roland, making a charge upon his father.
"Yes, I believe I did."
"Well, he didn't do it."
"He was wrong, then," said Mr. Kenyon mildly. "He should have respected my authority."
"I'll go and look for it directly breakfast is over," said Oliver, quite won over by Mr. Kenyon's mildness.
"It wouldn't be any use," said Roland. "I've been looking for it myself this morning, and it isn't there."
"Of course, it wouldn't stay there all night," said Mr. Kenyon. "It has, no doubt, been picked up."
"Aint you going to punish Oliver for disobeying you?" burst out the disappointed Roland.
Oliver turned to his step-father with interest to hear his answer.