es
is all stopped up." So it was decided, and Billy wore the comforter.

At seven o 'clock they were ready, and, the news having spread
abroad that the Wiggses were going to a show, many of the neighbors
came in to see how they looked and to hear how it happened.

"Some of you all shake down the stove an' pull the door to fer me. I
am jes' that skeered of hurtin' Mrs. Eichorn's veil I'm 'fraid to
turn my head," Mrs. Wiggs said nervously, as she stepped off the
porch.

The little procession had left the railroad tracks far behind, when
Mrs. Wiggs stopped suddenly.

"Fer the land's sakes alive! Do you know what we 've gone an' done?
We have left the theayter tickets to home!"

At this Australia began to cry, and a gloom settled upon the party.

"Billy, you run back, fast as yer legs kin carry you, an' look in
that tin can behind the clock, an' we'll wait right here fer you."
Mrs. Wiggs wrapped Europena in her shawl, and tried to keep up the
spirits of the party as they huddled on the curbing to await Billy's
return.

"Look how pretty it looks, all the lights a-streamin' out the
winders on the snow. Looks like a chromo ma used to have."

But the young Wiggses were in no frame of mind to appreciate the
picturesqueness of the scene.

It was very cold, and even the prospect of the show was dimmed by
the present discomfort. By and by Australia's sobs began anew.

"What's the matter, honey? Don't cry; Billy'll be back in a little
while, an' then we'll git in where it's good an' warm."

"I want my supper!" wailed Australia.

Then it dawned on Mrs. Wiggs for the first time that, in the
excitement of preparation, supper had been entirely overlooked.

"Well, if that don't beat all!" said she. "I had jes' 'bout as much
idea of supper as a goat has of kid gloves!"

But when Billy came flying back with the tickets, and the party had
started once more on the long walk to the Opera House, the enticing
posters began to appear, and supper and the cold were forgotten.

CHAPTER VII

"MR. BOB"

"If his heart at high floods
Swamped his brain now and then,
'T was but richer for that
When the tide ebbed again."

A LARGE audience assembled that night to witness "The Greatest
Extravaganza of the Century." The Opera House was a blaze of light
and color.

From the recesses of one of the boxes, Redding made a careful survey
of the faces beneath him. First nights usually found him there, with
the same r