The little procession had left the railroad tracks far behind, when Mrs. Wiggs stopped suddenly.

“Fer the land’s sakes alive!  Do you know what we ‘ve gone an’ done?  We have left the theayter tickets to home!”

At this Australia began to cry, and a gloom settled upon the party.

“Billy, you run back, fast as yer legs kin carry you, an’ look in that tin can behind the clock, an’ we’ll wait right here fer you.”  Mrs. Wiggs wrapped Europena in her shawl, and tried to keep up the spirits of the party as they huddled on the curbing to await Billy’s return.

“Look how pretty it looks, all the lights a-streamin’ out the winders on the snow.  Looks like a chromo ma used to have.”

But the young Wiggses were in no frame of mind to appreciate the picturesqueness of the scene.

It was very cold, and even the prospect of the show was dimmed by the present discomfort.  By and by Australia’s sobs began anew.

“What’s the matter, honey?  Don’t cry; Billy’ll be back in a little while, an’ then we’ll git in where it’s good an’ warm.”

“I want my supper!” wailed Australia.

Then it dawned on Mrs. Wiggs for the first time that, in the excitement of preparation, supper had been entirely overlooked.

“Well, if that don’t beat all!” said she.  “I had jes’ ’bout as much idea of supper as a goat has of kid gloves!”

But when Billy came flying back with the tickets, and the party had started once more on the long walk to the Opera House, the enticing posters began to appear, and supper and the cold were forgotten.

CHAPTER VII

“MR. BOB”

    “If his heart at high floods
    Swamped his brain now and then,
    ’T was but richer for that
    When the tide ebbed again.”

A large audience assembled that night to witness “The Greatest Extravaganza of the Century.”  The Opera House was a blaze of light and color.

From the recesses of one of the boxes, Redding made a careful survey of the faces beneath him.  First nights usually found him there, with the same restless, eager look in his eyes.  Tonight he evidently failed to find what he sought, and was turning listlessly away when he stopped suddenly, bent forward, then smiled broadly.  He had caught sight of Billy’s red comforter.

The boy’s hair was plastered close to his head, and his face was transformed by soap and happiness.  Redding glanced quizzically at the rest of the party—­at the mother’s radiant countenance beaming from the dusk of her crepe veil, at the three little girls in their composite costumes, at the carnations pinned on each bosom.  Then he deliberately turned his back on “The Greatest Extravaganza of the Century,” and centered his attention on the parquet group.

It was a singularly enthusiastic theater party, oblivious of surroundings, and lost in wonder at the strange sights.  Billy’s laugh rang out frequently, with refreshing spontaneity.  Their enjoyment was so evident that Redding was surprised, at the close of the first act, to see them put on their wraps and march solemnly out of the theater.  He hastened to the lobby, and touched Billy on the shoulder.