“Why not?” wondered Teddy.
“Because we shall be so nervous that we shall not be able to work today. And, by the way, were I in your place, I should get busy here and help in the cook tent until you are told to do something else. I think it will make a good impression on Mr. Sparling.”
Teddy consented rather grudgingly.
“I’ll turn in and do something at the same time. What can we do to help you, sir? That coffee was very good.”
“Might get busy and unpack some dishes from those barrels. Be careful that you don’t break any of them.”
“All right. Where shall we put them?”
“Pile them on the ground, all the dishes of the same size together. Be sure to set a lantern by them so nobody falls over them in the dark.”
The boys, glad of some task to perform, began their work with a will. With something to do it was surprising how quickly they forgot their misfortunes. In a short time they were laughing and joking with the good-natured cooktent man and making the dishes fairly fly out of the barrels.
“Guess I’ll have to keep you two boys with my outfit,” grinned the showman.
“I think Mr. Sparling said my friend, Teddy here, was to work in the cook tent for the present.”