Having examined the new purchase, and freely expressed their opinions of the animal's "points," they hitched his halter to the wagon, and set out for home.
The sun was rapidly descending, when the boys reached the hotel stable.
Oscar, who felt somewhat uneasy about his absence from the store, turned his steps in that direction, soon after he alighted from the wagon.

He found all hands very busy, and for a long time no one appeared to notice him.

At length his father happened to come to the part of the shop where he was, and asked him where he had been all the afternoon.

Oscar proceeded to explain the cause of his absence, but Mr.Preston was in too much of a hurry to listen to his long excuses, and so he cut him short, and told him, in not very pleasant tones, that Ralph had done the work, and he (Oscar) might go home again, just as soon as he pleased--a privilege of which he quickly availed himself.
At the tea-table, that evening, Mr.Preston expressed his displeasure with Oscar's conduct in very pointed terms.

Oscar now explained the circumstances of his going away--his attempt to get his father's consent, and the promise of Ralph to supply his place.