"All the better, sir," said Oliver. "I never stopped over night in New York."
"Then you will enjoy it. If I have a chance I will take you to the theatre."
"Thank you, sir," said Oliver, forgetting for the moment his prejudice against his step-father. "Is Roland going?" he asked.
"No," answered Mr. Kenyon.
Oliver stared in surprise. It seemed strange to him that he should be offered an enjoyment of which Roland was deprived.
"I can't undertake to manage two boys at a time," said Mr. Kenyon decisively. "Roland will have to wait till the next time."
"That's queer," thought Oliver, but he did not dwell too much on the thought. He was too well satisfied with having been the favored one, for this time at least.
Roland was not present when his father made this proposal, but he soon heard of it.His dissatisfaction may well be imagined. What! Was he, Mr. Kenyon's own son, to be passed over in favor of Oliver? He became alarmed. Was he losing his old place, and was Oliver going to supplant him? To his mind Oliver had of late been treated altogether too well, and he did not like it.
He rushed into his father's presence, his cheeks pale with anger.
"What is this I hear?" he burst out. "Are you going to take Oliver to New York, and leave me at home?"