She made me come out here now,
when she knew Mr. Lord would be away, to tell you that we're goin'
to have a little kind of a friendly dinner in our tent tomorrow --
she's cooked it all herself, or she's going to -- and we want you
to come in an' have some with us."
Toby's eyes glistened at the thought of the unexpected pleasure,
and then his face grew sad as he replied, "I'd like to come first
rate, Mr. Treat, but I don't s'pose Mr. Lord would let me stay away
from the shop long enough."
"Why, you won't have any work to do tomorrow, Toby -- it's Sunday."
"So it is!" said the boy, with a pleased smile, as he thought of
the day of rest which was so near. And then he added, quickly: "An'
this is Saturday afternoon. What fun the boys at home are havin'!
You see, there hain't any school Saturday afternoon, an all the
fellers go out in the woods."
"And you wish you were there to go with them, don't you?" asked
the skeleton, sympathetically.
"Indeed I do!" exclaimed Toby, quickly. "It's twice as good as any
circus that ever was."
"But you didn't think so before you came with us, did you?"
"I didn't know so much about circuses then as I do now," replied
the boy, sadly.
Mr. Treat saw that he was touching on a sore subject, and one which
was arousing sad thoughts in his little companion's mind, and he
hastened to change it at once.
"Then I can tell Lilly that you'll come, can I?"
"Oh yes, I'll be sure to be there; an' I want you to know just how
good I think you both are to me.
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