“Here, Oscar, let me make you acquainted with Master Ronald, my protégé. Ronald, this is Cousin Oscar. You will soon be good friends, if I am not greatly mistaken.”
The boys shook hands, and then Ronald, proffering his services, helped Oscar to carry his trunk into the house. By the time the travellers had removed the dust from their persons and clothing, supper was ready, and the family sat down to the table. Much of the conversation, during the meal, was addressed to Oscar, and many inquiries were made concerning his parents, sisters, and brothers. He sustained his part with the ease and freedom of one who is accustomed to society, his first shyness having quite disappeared. Ronald watched him with much interest, and seemed still in doubt whether to like him or not. After tea, when Oscar had gone out with Marcus to the barn, Miss Lee, remembering Ronald’s remark, inquired—
“Well, Ronald, what do you think of Oscar?”
“I think he feels pretty smart; and I never saw a city chap but what did,” replied Ronald.
“Why, what makes you think so?” inquired Miss Lee.
“I don’t know—I can’t tell,” said the boy, hesitatingly.
“But if you do really think so, you ought to be able to give a reason for it,” added Miss Lee.
“Well,” continued Ronald, “I suppose it’s because he speaks up so smart, and eats so genteelly, and wears such nice clothes, and—and is so good-looking,” he added, laughing at the idea.
“I think you are mistaken in him,” replied Miss Lee. “His dress is such as boys in the city, of his age and class, usually wear; and his manners are those of a boy who is familiar with good society. Perhaps he is a trifle too forward, for one of his age,—I think a little bashfulness becomes a boy, sometimes; but I never saw anything like pride in him. He has been about the world a good deal, for one so young, and that, I suppose, has worn off his bashfulness.”
“Then I guess I shall like him, if he isn’t proud,” said Ronald, and away he ran, to join Marcus and Oscar, who were taking a general survey of the farm.