"After this noon you won't complain of having too much spare time on your hands. Been to breakfast?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then clear out an' go down-town, 'cause this is likely to be your last day off for quite a spell. I'll look after the other horses."
Seth would have been better pleased to remain in the engine-house two or three hours longer, but 'Lish Davis's injunctions, although given as a permission rather than a command, were not to be disobeyed, and without protesting he left the building.
It is hardly necessary to attempt to describe the reception accorded the amateur fireman, when he arrived at Printing House Square.
Every bootblack or newsboy in that section of the city had heard from Bill or Dan the fullest possible particulars regarding the new uniform, and all were expecting to see a great change in Seth's appearance, but not prepared for such a decided transformation.
During at least two hours business was practically suspended, and Seth was literally forced to remain on exhibition because of the throng which surrounded him.
Many times did the policemen in the vicinity disperse the gathering; but the admiring ones reassembled immediately afterward, regardless of the threats of the officers, and thus the Society for the Admiration of Seth Bartlett was virtually in continuous session.
Those who had laughed the loudest because of his ambition were now the most extravagant in their praises, and there was not a boy on Printing House Square who did not realize as never before how much might be accomplished by persistent effort. Until eleven o'clock Seth "visited" with his friends and acquaintances, and then made his way up to keep the appointment with 'Lish Davis.
The driver, clad in his best uniform, was awaiting the boy's arrival, and cried good-naturedly when the latter appeared: