CHAPTER X

THE ACCIDENT

That night Toby and Abner went to the circus grounds with Uncle Daniel and Aunt Olive; and when old Ben approached the party as they were nearing the tent, Toby motioned the cripple to come with him, for he thought it might be better that the boy should not hear the conversation concerning himself.

It had been decided by Uncle Daniel that the boys should go to the circus grounds that evening, and stay there until it was nearly dark, when they were to go home and go to bed; for he never believed it could do boys any good to be out after dark, while he was certain it was better for their health if they went to bed early.

Therefore Toby intended to make this visit simply one of farewell, after Abner should see a little more of the bustle and confusion that had so fascinated him in the afternoon.

To that end the boys walked around the enclosure, listened to the men who were loudly crying the wonderful things they had for sale, and all the while kept a bright lookout in the hope of seeing some of their circus friends.

It was nearly time for the performance to begin when the boys went into the skeleton's tent, and said good-bye to the thin man and his fat wife.

Then Toby, anxious to run around to the dressing-rooms to speak with Ella, and not daring to take Abner with him, said to the boy:

Answer this series of questions:

1. Who did Toby montion to?
2. why?
3. hear what?
4. Who was Toby with?
5. Who suggested the boys should go?
6. where?
7. when were they going to stay until?
8. and then what were they to do?
9. and do what?
10. why?
11. what did he belive about going to bed early?
12. Who was selling stuff?
13. what were they selling?
14. What were they looking for?
15. Who did the boys say goodbye to?
16. and who else?
17. Where were they?
18. Why did they go to say goodbye?
19. Who did Toby want to speak with?
20. Did Abner go with him?

Numbered answers:
1. cripple
2. might be better that the boy should not hear
3. conversation
4. Uncle Daniel and Aunt Olive
5. Uncle Daniel
6. circus
7. nearly dark
8. go home
9. go to bed
10. do boys any good to be out after dark
11. better for their health
12. men
13. wonderful things
14. circus friend
15. thin man
16. fat wife
17. skeleton's tent
18. time for the performance to begin
19. Ella
20. no