sh Davis insisted on his remaining in the engine-house all night, but
gave Seth distinctly to understand that however many alarms might come
in, he was not to so much as think of going out with the company.

"You'll be on sick leave till to-morrow morning, when Josh Fernald is
expecting you at headquarters, and then it'll be for him to say when
we're to see you again."

"But of course I'll sleep at Mrs. Hanson's same's I've been doin'?"

"I can't say how it'll be, lad; but whatever Josh allows must be done
will come nigh being right."

What between his happiness and the sleep he had indulged in during the
early part of the evening, Seth Bartlett was unusually wakeful, and
until past midnight he lay in a cot near 'Lish Davis's bed speculating
upon what Mr. Fernald might be able to do in regard to procuring his
admission to the school at headquarters.

Then slumber interfered with his waking dreams, and he knew no more
until daylight next morning, when he crept softly out of bed to perform
his customary task.

He did the work on the lower floor lest he should disturb those who were
yet asleep, and was getting well along with it when Joe Black came down.

"How are you feelin' this mornin', kid?" he asked, in an unusually
friendly tone.

"Fine as silk. That medicine Mr. Davis gave me fixed everything in great
shape."

"I see you're still blackin' boots."

"Why shouldn't I be? It was the bargain that I could do it till I got
into the Department."

"I'm allowing 'Lish will claim you're so near there now that you must
graduate from this kind of work."

"But, of course, I'm not near gettin' into the Department, for they
don't make firemen of boys."

"As a rule they don't; but I'm reckoning there'll be something in the
way of an exception with you. I'm not allowin' you'll be allowed to
swell around as full member of a company, but you are bound to be
recognized as belonging to us."

Seth failed to understand how any immediate change could be effected in
his standing, save that he might be admitted to the classes at
headquarters, and before he could ask Joe Black to make an explanation a
shrill voice was heard calling through the half-opened door:

"Say, Mister, is Seth Bartlett here?"

It was Dan, and Seth stepped forward to prevent him from coming in, when
Joe Black said:

"There's no reason why you should go out on the sidewalk to talk with
your friends. You've got the same privileges here that all hands