"You aint afraid of Oliver, are you?" demanded Roland bluntly. Mr. Kenyon smiled pleasantly, showing a set of very white teeth as he did so. "Really, that is amusing," he answered. "What on earth should make me afraid of Oliver?" "I don't see what other reason you can have for backing down as you have." "Listen, Roland. There is more than one way of arriving at a result, but there is always one way that is wiser than any other. Now it would not be wise for me to treat Oliver in such a way as to create unfavorable comment in the village." "What do you care for what people in the village think?" asked Roland bluntly. "Haven't you got the money?" "Yes." "And Oliver hasn't a cent?" "He has nothing except what I choose to give him." "Good!" said Roland with satisfaction. "I hope you don't mean to give him as much as you do me," he added. "Not in the end. Just at present I may." "I don't see why you should." "Then you must be content to take my word for it, and trust to my judgment. In the end you may be assured that I shall look out for your interests, and that you will be far better off than Oliver." With this promise Roland was measurably satisfied. The thing that troubled him was that Oliver seemed to have triumphed over him in their recent little difference. Perhaps, could he have fathomed his step-father's secret designs respecting Oliver, he would have felt less dissatisfied. Mr. Kenyon was never more to be dreaded than when he professed to be friendly. CHAPTER VII. ROLAND'S DISCOMFITURE. On the way to school Oliver overtook Frank Dudley. "Well, Oliver, how's the weather at home?" asked Frank. "Cloudy, eh?" "No; it's all clear and serene." Frank looked astonished. "Didn't Mr. Kenyon blow you up, then?" he asked. "Not a bit of it. He gave me a five-dollar bill without my asking for it." "What's come over him?" asked Frank in amazement. "His mind isn't getting affected, is it?" Oliver laughed. "Not that I know of," he said. "I don't wonder you ask. I never saw such a change come over a man since yesterday. Then he wanted Roland to flog me. Now he is like an indulgent parent." "It's queer, decidedly. I hope, for your sake, it'll hold out." "So do I. Roland doesn't seem to fancy it, though. He tried hard to revive the quarrel of yesterday, but without success." "He's an amiable cub, that Roland." "Do you speak thus of your future brother-in-law?" "Carrie would sooner be an old maid a dozen times over than give any encouragement to such a fellow." All of which was pleasant for Oliver to hear. Mr. Kenyon was not through with his surprises. Two weeks before, Roland had a new suit of clothes. Oliver's envy had been a little excited, because he needed new clothes more than his step-brother, but he was too proud to give expression to his dissatisfaction or to ask for a similar favor. On the way home from school, in company with Frank Dudley, Oliver met Mr. Kenyon.