"And didn't you think that it would take only fifty cents to buy a
ticket?" asked the clown.

"Yes," Jerry miserably admitted.

"That's it!" exclaimed the clown. "That's what mixed my thoughts all up
with yours. I was trying to think of a way to get you in without any
money. Then, when our thoughts got mixed, I began thinking of the
ordinary way of getting into a circus by buying a ticket."

"Can't you think again?" Jerry pleaded in a very contrite voice. "I
will keep still this time. I _will_!"

Just as he spoke a band inside the tent started playing. It was so near
him that he was startled, and jumped.

"The circus is about to begin," said the clown. "The band is playing for
the parade. I must think quickly so you won't miss any of it."

There was no need of warning Jerry not to say anything this time. He
would have said nothing if he had seen the clown turn into an elephant.
It was an awful hard thought to think, for the clown stretched out on
the ground right close to the tent and looked under the canvas. Then he
rolled over, sat up and wagged his head solemnly at Jerry.

"I've got it!" he cried and bounded to his feet and jumped clear over
Jerry's head.

"I didn't say nothing this time!" boasted Jerry. "I didn't say nothing
this time!"

"No," said the clown, "you didn't and our thoughts didn't all get mixed
up."

"Will I get in before it starts?" asked Jerry.

"Yes, or my name's not Jack Robinson," said the clown.

"Is that your name?" asked Jerry.

"Only to-day," replied the clown. "To-morrow it may be Tom, Dick or
Harry."

"Robinson?" questioned Jerry.

"Or Smith or Kettlewell," replied the clown, smiling. "Now you must do
just what I tell you to and do it quickly."

"I will," promised Jerry.

"Shut your eyes. Are they shut?"

"Yes," said Jerry, closing them so tight that he saw funny little green
and red and purple streaks of light.

"Keep them shut. Don't open them once till I tap you on the back twice.
Then you count to twenty, and if I don't tap you on the back again, open
your eyes and you will be in the circus. Then you walk right ahead till
you come to the first row of seats where there will be a lot of children
and you just pick out any empty seat you see and sit there. Do you
understand?"

"Yes," replied Jerry.

"Eyes shut," commanded the clown. "Come with me."

He led Jerry quite a distance away from the tent, Jerry thought, and
then had him sit down on the ground so that t