"
Toby made no reply, for he was too busily engaged thinking of
something which had just come into his mind to know that his friend
had spoken.
But as Old Ben hardly knew whether the boy had answered him or
not, owing to his being obliged to struggle with his breath lest
he should lose it in the second laughing spell that attacked him,
the boy's thoughtfulness was not particularly noticed.
Toby walked around the show grounds for a little while with his
old friend, and then the two went to supper, where Toby performed
quite as great wonders in the way of eating as he had in the
afternoon by riding.
As soon as the supper was over he quietly slipped away from Old
Ben, and at once paid a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Treat, whom he found
cozily engaged in their supper behind the screen.
They welcomed Toby most cordially, and, despite his assertions that
he had just finished a very hearty meal, the fat lady made him sit
down to the box which served as table, and insisted on his trying
some of her doughnuts.
Under all these pressing attentions it was some time before Toby
found a chance to say that which he had come to say, and when he
did he was almost at a loss how to proceed; but at last he commenced
by starting abruptly on his subject with the words, "I've made up
my mind to leave tonight."
"Leave tonight?" repeated the skeleton, inquiringly, not for a
moment believing that Toby could think of running away after the
brilliant success he had just made.
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