"Good enough if you can get it. It's about as easy to get blood out of a stone, as money out of old Bickford. Generally I had to wait ten days after the time before I could get the money." "How is the work?" "Hard, and plenty of it. It's work early and work late, and if there isn't work at the forge, you've got to help the old woman, by drawing water and doing chores. You don't live in Oakford, do you?" "No; I came from Smyrna." "I thought not. Bickford can't get a boy to work for him here. What made you come? Couldn't you get a place at home?" "I didn't try." "Well, you haven't done much in coming here." "I begin to think so," Kit responded, with a smile. "Hasn't the circus been in your town?" "Yes." "I wanted to go, but I guess I'll manage to see it in Grafton. It shows there to-morrow." "Are you going?" asked Kit with interest. "Yes; I shall walk. I'll start early and spend the day there." "We may meet there." "You don't expect to go, do you? Bickford won't let you off." Kit smiled. "I don't think Mr. Bickford will have much to say about it," he said. "Are you going to hook jack?" asked his new acquaintance. "I didn't mean to tell you, but I will. I have made up my mind not to work for Mr. Bickford at all." "Then why did you come here?" "Because my uncle saw fit to arrange with him." "What are you going to do, then?" "I am offered work with the circus." "You are!" exclaimed the country boy, opening wide his eyes in astonishment. "What are you going to do?" "I'm going to be an acrobat." "What's that?" Kit explained as well as he could. "What are they going to pay you?" "Ten dollars a week and my expenses," answered Kit, proudly. "Jehu!" ejaculated the other boy. "Why, that's good wages for a man. Do you think they'd hire me, too?" "If you think you can do what they require, you can ask them." "Why can't I do it as well as you?" "Because I have been practicing for a long time at a gymnasium. What is your name?" "Bill Morris." "Then, Bill, don't say a word to any one about my plans. Suppose we go to Grafton together?" "All right!" Before the boys parted they made an agreement to meet at five o'clock the next morning, to set out on their walk to Grafton. CHAPTER X. KIT'S FIRST NIGHT AT THE BLACKSMITH'S. At nine o'clock the blacksmith, giving a deep yawn, said: "You'd better be getting to bed, young feller. You'll have to be up bright and airly in the morning." Kit was already feeling sleepy, and made no objection. Though it was yet early, he had found it hard work to get through the evening, as he could find nothing to read except a weekly paper, three months old, and a copy of "Pilgrim's Progress." In truth, neither Mr. Bickford nor his wife were of a literary turn, and did not even manage to keep up with the news of the day. "I am ready," said Kit. "Mother, show him to his room," added the blacksmith. "To-morrow I'll give him a lesson at the forge."