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.
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