"Yes, sir."

"Then, that's what it is. Traveling expenses and feed included.
You are an easy keeper?"

"Well, I don't eat quite as much as a horse, if that's what you
mean," laughed Phil.

"Huh!"

After reading the contract through, the lad affixed his signature
to it with trembling hand. It was almost too good to be true.

"Thank you, sir," he said, laying the paper before Mr. Sparling.

"And now, my lad," added the showman more mildly, "let me give
you some advice. Some folks look upon circus people as rough and
intemperate. That day's past. When a man gets bad habits he's
of no further use in the circus business. He closes mighty
quick. Remember that."

"Yes, sir. You need not worry about my getting into any such
trouble."

"I don't, or I wouldn't take you. And another thing: Don't get
it into your head, as a good many show people do, that you know
more about running the business than the boss does. He might not
agree with you. It's a bad thing to disagree with the boss, eh?"

"I understand, sir."