I never told you this ring was gold,--I recollect perfectly about it." "Well, you know I supposed it was gold, or I would n't have traded for it," replied the boy; "and besides, you made me think it was gold, whether you really said it was or not." "That was your look-out," said Oscar.

"When a man sells a thing, he is n't obliged to run it down.

You must look out for yourself when you make a bargain--that's what I do." "I should think you did," replied the other; "and I guess I shall remember your advice, if I ever trade with you again.

There's your old ring: now give me back my collar and comb," he continued, handing the ring to Oscar.
"I shan't do any such thing," said Oscar, and he refused to take the ring, and turned upon his heel, leaving the other boy in no very pleasant state of mind.
"Then you 're a great cheat and a swindler," cried the victim, gathering courage as Oscar retreated.
"And you 're a little greeny," replied Oscar, with a loud laugh.
Oscar had prepared his mind for this explosion of indignation, and though he did not care much about it, he was glad it was over with.

He regarded the transaction which led to it as a shrewd business operation, to be chuckled over, rather than repented of; and he had no idea of spoiling it all, by undoing the bargain.
In Oscar's school, it was customary for the first class (of which he was a member) to devote the first half hour of every Monday morning to a lesson in morals.