"Say, that was out o' sight," he said.

"Think so?" asked the other carelessly.

"I 'd like to get out with you some time to see the town," the boy went
on eagerly.

"All right, we 'll go some time. So long."

"So long."

Some time. Was it true? Would he really take him out and let him meet
stage people? Joe went to bed with his head in a whirl. He slept little
that night for thinking of his heart's desire.




IX

HIS HEART'S DESIRE


Whatever else his visit to the theatre may have done for Joe, it
inspired him with a desire to go to work and earn money of his own, to
be independent both of parental help and control, and so be able to
spend as he pleased. With this end in view he set out to hunt for work.
It was a pleasant contrast to his last similar quest, and he felt it
with joy. He was treated everywhere he went with courtesy, even when no