Mr. Dinsmore, hearing her relieved exclamation, "Ah, there he is!" came to her side as Max was in the act of dismounting.
"The boy has evidently been into the town making a purchase," he said. "Had he permission from you or any one, Violet?"
"Not from me, grandpa," she answered with reluctance.
"Did you give him leave, Elsie?" he asked, turning to his daughter. "Or you, wife?"
Both answered in the negative, and with a very stern countenance Mr. Dinsmore went out to the hall to meet the delinquent.
"Where have you been, Max?" he asked, in no honeyed accents.
"For a ride, sir," returned the lad respectfully.
"Not merely for a ride," Mr. Dinsmore said, pointing to the package in the boy's hand; "you did not pick that up by the roadside. Where have you been?"
"I stopped at Turner's just long enough to buy this wood that I shall need for carving to-morrow. I should have asked leave, but forgot to do so."
"Then you should have come home and left the errand for another day. You were well aware that in going without permission you were breaking rules. You will go immediately to your room and stay there until this time to-morrow."