Robert explained that he had left circus life for a time, but had been thrown out of employment unexpectedly.
"I am going to a birthday party of a little niece of mine," said Miss Stafford. "She is twelve years old to-day. There will be twenty or thirty boys and girls there. I wish you could do something to amuse them. It would make us all the more welcome."
"I am a little of a magician," said Robert. "If you think they would like to see some tricks—"
"The very thing!" exclaimed Miss Stafford, enthusiastically. "They are all fond of tricks. Where did you learn?"
When Miss Stafford was informed that Robert had learned of a real magician, that is of a professor of magic, she was very much pleased.
"I will engage you, then," she said, "for the afternoon and evening. When I say engage you, I mean I will pay you for your trouble."
"Oh, I won't charge anything," said Robert.
"But you must!" said the lady positively. "Louisa Stafford never allows any one to work for nothing. Besides you have perhaps prevented Prince here from breaking my neck. I certainly won't be mean enough to make you work for nothing. I warrant you are not over-provided with money."
"Well, no," answered Robert, smiling. "I can't say I am. I have only a dollar and a half here, though I have some money in the hands of a friend at the East."
"And how far are you expecting to travel?"