Page:Dapples of the Circus (1943).pdf/99

 "I guess you are right," said Pickles; "but if you ain't got a mother, you have got me and Beany to love you. We like you just as though you was our brother, don't we, Beany?"

"You bet," cried Beany. "Put it there, Freckles, old pal."

Very solemnly the three shook hands and vowed eternal friendship. Few people realize how deep and sincere these boy friendships are, but the three could have enlightened them.

Finally, when Freckles's future had been discussed from all its angles, Pickles and Beany went home to supper, while Freckles stayed, at the invitation of the ringmaster, to eat in the large dining-tent with the circus people. The three boys planned to meet again at the evening show, and were to say good-bye at Freckles's car in the second section after the performance was over.

Freckles was all excitement when he followed the ringmaster into the dining