"I second my boy's invitation," said the doctor, cordially. "Thank you, also," said Robert, gratefully. "I feel your kindness the more because I have no claims upon you." "Then you will stay?" said Sidney, eagerly. "What would Ronald Percy say if you adopted me as a companion?" asked Robert, with a smile. "I don't care what. I would ten times rather have you for a friend than he." "Thank you, Sidney. You are not prejudiced against me because I am a circus boy." "Why should I be? If you were rough and coarse, I shouldn't fancy you, whether you were a circus boy or not, but I consider you much more of a gentleman than Ronald Percy," said Sidney, warmly. "I appreciate your good opinion, Sidney, but as to remaining here all winter, though I should enjoy it on many accounts, I would not like to be dependent even upon so good friends while I am able to earn my own living. If there were anything your father had for me to do it would make a difference." "I must see if I can think of anything," said Dr. Grey. "I am afraid I couldn't delegate any of my medical duties to you. I fear my patients would not repose confidence in so young a doctor." So the circus kept on its way, and Robert remained for a time at the house of the physician. Those who know the characteristics of society in a country village will not be surprised to learn that the introduction of a circus boy into his family led many to wonder at and criticise Dr. Grey. Prominent among the critics was Ronald Percy and his family. "Really," said Mrs. Percy, a shallow woman, who made large pretensions to fashion and position, "I can't understand what Dr. Grey can be thinking of, to admit a low circus boy into his house. We don't know what associates the boy has had in the past, but he must be coarse and ill-bred, and surely he is not a fit companion for Sidney Grey. I hope my Ronald won't get intimate with him." "You may be sure I won't, ma," said Ronald. "I wouldn't demean myself by taking notice of him. When Sidney wanted to invite him to join in our games I opposed it." "You, Ronald, can always be relied upon to feel like a gentleman," said his mother, complacently. "Thank heaven! he hasn't any liking for low company." "I am told the boy is very gentlemanly," said Mrs. Frost, a woman very different from Mrs. Percy. Mrs. Percy shrugged her shoulders. "That is absurd, of course," she answered. "Gentlemanly behavior isn't picked up in circuses. I told the doctor so, but he is very eccentric, and he wouldn't listen to anything against his new favorite." "That must be rather awkward for you, as Ronald and Sidney are so much together." "I have requested Ronald not to go to the doctor's so much while that boy is staying there. I feel that it is due to our position not to allow him to form such intimacies."