I'll have to stay a good many."

"That's a nice boy," said Ella, positively, as Toby thus gave his
decision, "and I'll kiss you for it."

Before Toby fully realized what she was about, almost before he had
understood what she said, she had put her arms around his neck and given
him a good sound kiss right on his freckled face.

Toby was surprised, astonished, and just a little bit ashamed. He had
never been kissed by a girl before--very seldom by anyone, save the fat
lady--and he hardly knew what to do or say. He blushed until his face
was almost as red as his hair, and this color had the effect of making
his freckles stand out with startling distinctness. Then he looked
carefully around to see if anyone had seen them.

"I never had a girl kiss me before," said Toby, hesitatingly, "an'
you see it made me feel kinder queer to have you do it out here, where
everybody could see."

"Well, I kissed you because I like you very much and because you are
going to stay and ride with me tomorrow," she said, positively; and then
she added, slyly, "I may kiss you again, if you don't get a chance to
run away very soon."

"I wish it wasn't for Uncle Dan'l an' the rest of the folks at home, an'
there wasn't any such men as Mr. Lord an' Mr. Castle, an' then I don't
know but I might want to stay with the circus, 'cause I like you awful
much."

And as he spoke Toby's heart grew very tender toward the only girl
friend he had ever known.

By this time they had reached the door of the tent, and as they stepped
outside one of the drivers told them that Mr. Treat and his wife were
very anxious to see both of them in their tent.

"I don't believe I can go," said Toby, doubtfully, as he glanced toward
the booth, where Mr. Lord was busy in attending to customers, and
evidently waiting for Toby to relieve him, so that he could go to his
dinner; "I don't believe Mr. Lord will let me."

"Go and ask him," said Ella, eagerly. "We won't be gone but a minute."

Toby approached his employer with fear and trembling. He had never
before asked leave to be away from his work, even for a moment, and he
had no doubt but that his request would be refused with blows.

"Mr. Treat wants me to come in his tent for a minute. Can I go?" he
asked, in a timid voice, and in such a low tone as to render it almost
inaudible.

Mr. Lord looked at him for an instant, and Toby was sure that he was
making up his mind whether to kick him or catch him by the col