and shove his hands deep into his pockets to get the stiffness out
of them. It really seemed as if everybody had just laid in a supply
of kindling, and the shadowy little plan he had been forming was
growing more shadowy all the time.

"I 'spect the tickets cost a heap," he thought ruefully, as he drew
himself up into a regular pretzel of a boy; "but, then, she never
does have no fun, an' never gits a thing fer herself." And because
Billy knew of his mother's many sacrifices, and because he found it
very hard to take Jim's place, a lump lodged in his throat, and gave
him so much trouble that he forgot for a while how cold he was.

About this time he came within sight of the Opera House, and
tantalizing posters appeared of the "Greatest Extravaganza of the
Century." He pulled Cuba into a walk, and sat there absorbing the
wonders depicted; among the marvels were crowds of children dressed
as butterflies, beautiful ladies marching in line, a man balancing a
barrel on his feet, and--yes, there was the man in "skin-tights"
walking on the rope!

A keen puff of wind brought Billy back to his senses, and as his
longing eyes turned from the gorgeous show-bills they encountered
the amused look of a gentleman who had just come out from the Opera
House. He was so tall and fine-looking that Billy thought he must
own the show.

"Some kindlin', sir?"

The gentleman shook his head. The posters still danced before
Billy's eyes; if his mother could only see the show! The last chance