"Oh, see how bad he feels," said Sue, in her gentle voice. "I guess he didn't mean to be bad and chew your hat, Charlie."
"But he did chew it!" replied the little boy who was to wear it in the next act. "Look! I can't even get it on! It isn't a hat at all!"
"Let me see," said Mr. Treadwell, coming up just then. He looked at what Splash had left of the hat. It was torn and chewed and the color was all gone, for the red had been only red ribbons pinned on an old cap, and Splash had made them look very sad indeed.
"What can I do?" asked Charlie. "Have I got to stay out of the play?"
Mr. Treadwell thought for a moment.
"No," he said. "I'll tell you what we'll do. You were to be a fireman and wear this red hat, weren't you?"
"Yes," answered Charlie.
"Well, you can still be a fireman, but instead of a red hat you can wear a tin one. A tin hat will be just the thing for a fireman. It will keep the make-believe hot sparks, as well as the water, off his head."
"But where can I get a tin hat?" asked Charlie.
"I'll have Mr. Raymond bring up a small tin pail from his hardware store downstairs."