noon
But we keep a sharp eye on him , and as we have noticed that your son is quite intimate with him , I thought it my duty to inform you of it . I do n't suppose your boy knows the real character of this fellow , or has anything to do with his roguery ; but it is n't safe for him to be in such company , and I thought you ought to know what is going on . '' Mr. Preston thanked the officer very cordially for the information , and promised to see that Oscar was immediately put out of the way of danger from this source . When he went home at noon , he had a long private interview with his son , and informed him of the disclosures the officer had made . Oscar was not a little astonished to learn that the genteel and sociable Ned Mixer , whose company he prized so highly , was a thief by trade , and was fresh from a prison . He assured his father that he knew nothing of all this . This was true ; but after all Oscar knew too much of the character of Ned to believe him to be a good boy , or a safe companion .