n the vicinity of the candy stand in order that
he might gain some insight into the business; but Mr. Lord advised him
to remain away, lest his uncle Daniel would see him, and suspect where
he had gone when he was missed in the morning.

As Toby walked around the circus grounds, whereon was so much to attract
his attention, he could not prevent himself from assuming an air of
proprietorship. His interest in all that was going on was redoubled,
and in his anxiety that everything should be done correctly and in the
proper order he actually, and perhaps for the first time in his life,
forgot that he was hungry. He was really to travel with a circus, to
become a part, as it were, of the whole, and to be able to see its many
wonderful and beautiful attractions every day.

Even the very tent ropes had acquired a new interest for him, and
the faces of the men at work seemed suddenly to have become those of
friends. How hard it was for him to walk around unconcernedly: and how
especially hard to prevent his feet from straying toward that tempting
display of dainties which he was to sell to those who came to see and
enjoy, and who would look at him with wonder and curiosity! It was very
hard not to be allowed to tell his playmates of his wonderfully good
fortune; but silence meant success, and he locked his secret in his
bosom, not even daring to talk with anyone he knew, lest he should
betray himself by some incautious word.

He did not go home to dinner that day, and once or twice he felt
impelled to walk past the candy stand, giving a mysterious shake of the
head at the proprietor as he did so. The afternoon performance passed
off as usual to all of the spectators save Toby. He imagined that each
one of the performers knew that he was about to join them; and even
as he passed the cage containing the monkeys he fancied that one
particularly old one knew all about his intention of running away.

Of course it was necessary for him to go home at the close of the
afternoon's performance, in order to get one or two valuable articles of
his own--such as a boat, a kite, and a pair of skates--and in order
that his actions might not seem suspicious. Before he left the grounds,
however, he stole slyly around to the candy stand, and informed Mr. Job
Lord, in a very hoarse whisper, that he would be on hand at the time
appointed.

Mr. Lord patted him on the head, gave him two large sticks of candy,
and, what was more kind and surprisi