on was
exhibiting; but he managed to rise to his feet and duck his little red
head in his best imitation of a bow. Then he sat down and hugged Mr.
Stubbs to cover his confusion.

One of the Albino Children now came forward, and, while stroking Mr.
Stubbs's hair, looked so intently at Toby that for the life of him he
couldn't say which she regarded as the curiosity, himself or the monkey;
therefore he hastened to say, modestly,

"I didn't do much toward catchin' the monkeys; Mr. Stubbs here did
almost all of it, an' I only led 'em in."

"There, there, my boy," said the skeleton, in a fatherly tone, "I've
heard the whole story from Old Ben, an' I sha'n't let you get out of it
like that. We all know what you did, an' it's no use for you to deny any
part of it."

CHAPTER X.

MR. STUBBS AT A PARTY.

Toby was about to say that he did not intend to represent the matter
other than it really was, when a voice from behind the canvas screen
arrested further conversation.

"Sam-u-el, come an' help me carry these things in."

Something very like a smile of satisfaction passed over Signor Castro's
face as he heard this, which told him that the time for the feast was
near at hand; and the snake-charmer, as well as the Albino Children,
seemed quite as much pleased as did the sword-swallower.

"You will excuse me, ladies and gentlemen," said the skeleton, in an
important tone; "I must help Lilly, and then I shall have the pleasure
of helping you to some of her cooking, which, if I do say it, that
oughtn't, is as good as can be found in this entire country."

Then he too disappeared behind the canvas screen.

Left alone, Toby looked at the ladies, and the ladies looked at him, in
perfect silence, while the sword-swallower grimly regarded them all,
until Mr. Treat reappeared, bearing on a platter an immense turkey, as
nicely browned as any Thanksgiving turkey Toby ever saw. Behind him came
his fat wife, carrying several dishes, each of which emitted a most
fragrant odor; and as these were placed upon the table the spirits of
the sword-swallower seemed to revive, and he smiled pleasantly; while
even the ladies appeared animated by the sight and odor of the good
things which they were to be called upon so soon to pass judgment.

Several times did Mr. and Mrs. Treat bustle in and out from behind the
screen, and each time they made some addition to that which was upon the
table, until Toby began to fear that they would