"Well, I'll think about it."

Teddy strolled out in the paddock, where he walked up and down a
few times in the rain. But the more he thought about the
proposition, the more enthusiastic he grew. He could see himself
the center of attraction, and he could almost hear the howls of
delight of the multitude.

"They'll be surprised. But I don't believe I had better go on
without first speaking to Mr. Sparling. He might discharge me.
He's had his eye on me ever since the mule tore up the
dressing tent. But I won't tell Phil. I'll just give him
a surprise. How he'll laugh when he sees me and finds out
who I am."

Thus deciding, the lad ran through the tents out to the front
door, where he asked for Mr. Sparling, knowing that by this time
the owner's tent had been taken down and packed for shipment,
even if it were not already under way on the flying squadron.

He learned that Mr. Sparling was somewhere in the menagerie tent.
Hurrying back there, Teddy soon came upon the object of
his search. At that moment he was standing in front of the cage
of Wallace, the biggest lion in captivity, gazing at that shaggy
beast thoughtfully.

"Mr. Sparling," called Teddy.

The showman turned, shooting a sharp glance at the flushed face