Page 139 - An Amateur Fireman

"Don't make too much noise," Seth said pleadingly. "You know I'm only a boy, an' there'll be lots of men who
can work all 'round me, so it wouldn't be jest the thing for me to be cheered when I'm the poorest of the lot."

"We know our business," Dan said decidedly, "and you needn't worry but that we'll do the thing up brown."

After giving his friends a general outline of the exhibition, as he understood it, Seth went to Ninety-four's
house, and was there received with an unusually hearty welcome.

"How are you feeling, kid?" 'Lish Davis asked solicitously.

"All right."

"Little fidgety about to-morrow's work?"

"I'm hopin' I won't make a fool of myself, of course."

"You needn't worry. Josh Fernald says you'll make as good a showing as any one there, and he knows. The
only chance of your failing will come from borrowing too much trouble. Remember what you said to yourself
the night the baby was saved: 'A clear head is the next best thing to a ladder,' and there mustn't be any
cobwebs in yours. Don't pay attention to the crowd, but keep in mind that you're only going through the drill,
so's the commissioners can see whether you're ripe for an appointment."

"What are you counting on wearing?" Jerry Walters asked in a peculiar tone.

"What I've got on, of course, seem' 's it's all the decent clothes I own, an' they belong to you of Ninety-four.
I'm countin' on cleanin' 'em up in great shape, an' folks can't see where they've been mended. Miss Hanson
fixed the coat so you wouldn't know the sleeve ever had a hole in it."

"I'm allowing the others will shine terrible bright."

"They've all got new uniforms, an' are bound to look mighty fine."

"You don't seem to be sulking on account of having to wear old togs," 'Lish Davis said with a peculiar twinkle
in his eyes.

"What would be the use? I can't have 'em, an' I'll go through my part of the drill jest the same as if I was
covered with brass buttons."

"It's coming kind of tough on Ninety-four, eh, Jerry?" the driver asked. "All hands of us swelling, and our kid
rushing around at the head with patched trousers? The boys in the Department will think we haven't earned
much money this year."

"I don't think you ought'er feel bad 'bout it if I don't," Seth said, trying hard to appear unconcerned. "People
will know you have something else to do with your money than buy swell clothes for me."

"I ain't so certain about that, my boy. At all events we don't count on taking any chances," 'Lish said with a
laugh. "This ain't the first time we've talked about a new uniform, and somehow or other the tailor happened
around this afternoon with one that looks as if it might fit you. Bring it down, Jerry."

Now Seth understood why this conversation had been begun, and, while he was rejoiced by the thought that
he would be dressed as well as the other members of the corps, there was in his mind a certain uneasiness
about accepting such a favor in addition to the many which had been bestowed upon him.