VII: AN ACCIDENT AND ITS CONSEQUENCES


Toby's experience in the evening was very similar to that of the
afternoon, save that he was so fortunate as not to take any more
bad money in payment for his goods. Mr. Jacobs scolded and swore
alternately, and the boy really surprised him by his way of selling
goods, though he was very careful not to say anything about it,
but made Toby believe that he was doing only about half as much
work as he ought to do. Toby's private hoard of money was increased
that evening, by presents, ninety cents, and he began to look upon
himself as almost a rich man.

When the performance was nearly over Mr. Jacobs called to him to
help in packing up; and by the time the last spectator had left
the tent the worldly possessions of Messrs. Lord and Jacobs were
ready for removal, and Toby allowed to do as he had a mind to,
so long as he was careful to be on hand when Old Ben was ready to
start.

Toby thought that he would have time to pay a visit to his friends
the skeleton and the Fat Woman, and to that end started toward
the place where their tent had been standing; but to his sorrow he
found that it was already being taken down, and he had only time
to thank Mrs. Treat and to press the fleshless hand of her shadowy
husband as they entered their wagon to drive away.