inety-four's house, and was there received
with an unusually hearty welcome.

"How are you feeling, kid?" 'Lish Davis asked solicitously.

"All right."

"Little fidgety about to-morrow's work?"

"I'm hopin' I won't make a fool of myself, of course."

"You needn't worry. Josh Fernald says you'll make as good a showing as
any one there, and he knows. The only chance of your failing will come
from borrowing too much trouble. Remember what you said to yourself the
night the baby was saved: 'A clear head is the next best thing to a
ladder,' and there mustn't be any cobwebs in yours. Don't pay attention
to the crowd, but keep in mind that you're only going through the drill,
so's the commissioners can see whether you're ripe for an appointment."

"What are you counting on wearing?" Jerry Walters asked in a peculiar
tone.

"What I've got on, of course, seem' 's it's all the decent clothes I
own, an' they belong to you of Ninety-four. I'm countin' on cleanin' 'em
up in great shape, an' folks can't see where they've been mended. Miss
Hanson fixed the coat so you wouldn't know the sleeve ever had a hole in
it."

"I'm allowing the others will shine terrible bright."

"They've all got new uniforms, an' are bound to look mighty fine."

"You don't seem to be sulking on account of having to wear old togs,"
'Lish Davis said with a peculiar twinkle in his eyes.

"What would be the use? I can't have 'em, an' I'll go through my part of
the drill jest the same as if I was covered with brass buttons."

"It's coming kind of tough on Ninety-four, eh, Jerry?" the driver asked.
"All hands of us swelling, and our kid rushing around at the head with
patched trousers? The boys in the Department will think we haven't
earned much money this year."

"I don't think you ought'er feel bad 'bout it if I don't," Seth said,
trying hard to appear unconcerned. "People will know you have something
else to do with your money than buy swell clothes for me."

"I ain't so certain about that, my boy. At all events we don't count on
taking any chances," 'Lish said with a laugh. "This ain't the first time
we've talked about a new uniform, and somehow or other the tailor
happened around this afternoon with one that looks as if it might fit
you. Bring it down, Jerry."

Now Seth understood why this conversation had been begun, and, while he
was rejoiced by the thought that he would be dressed as well as the
other members of the corps, there was in his