It had been decided by Uncle Daniel that the boys should go to the circus grounds that evening, and stay there until it was nearly dark, when they were to go home to bed; for he did not believe in having boys out after dark, being certain it was better for their health to go to bed early.
Toby therefore intended to make this visit simply one of farewell. But first he wanted Abner to see a little more of the bustle and confusion that had so fascinated him in the afternoon.
To that end the boys walked around the inclosure, listened to the men who were loudly crying the wonderful things they had for sale, and all the while kept a bright look-out in the hope of seeing some of their circus friends.
It was nearly time for the performance to begin when the boys went into the skeleton's tent, and said good-by to the thin man and his fat wife.
Then Toby, anxious to run around to the dressing-rooms to speak with Ella, and not daring to take Abner with him, said to the boy:
"Now you wait here for a minute, and I'll be right back."
Abner was perfectly contented to wait; it seemed to him that he would have been willing to stay there all night, provided the excitement should continue, and as he leaned against one of the tent ropes, he gazed around him in perfect delight.
Toby found Ella without much difficulty; but both she and her mother had so much to say that it was some time before he could leave them to go in search of Ben.
The old driver was curled up on his wagon, taking "forty winks," as he called a nap, before starting on the road again.
When Toby awakened him he explained that he would not have taken the liberty if it had not been for the purpose of saying good-by, and Ben replied, good-naturedly: