"I slept very poorly," he said.
"Was it the thought of the danger you had been in?"
"No, sir; I learned that my uncle, without consulting me, had arranged to apprentice me to a blacksmith."
Mr. Barlow looked surprised.
"But you look like a boy of independent means," he said, puzzled.
"I have always supposed that this was the case," said Kit, "but my uncle told me yesterday, to my surprise, that I was dependent upon him, and had no expectations."
"You don't want to be a blacksmith?"
"No, sir; I consider any kind of work honorable, but that would not suit me."
"You would succeed well in my business," said the showman, "but I am very careful how I recommend it to boys. It isn't a good school for them. They are exposed to many temptations in it. But if a boy has a strong will, and good principles, he may avoid all the evils connected with it."
Kit had not thought of it before, but now the question suggested itself: "Why should I not join the circus. I should like it better than being a blacksmith."