nearly noon
Toby 's interest in the crippled boy whom he had taken under his charge was considerably greater than in the contemplated circus ; and both Bob and Ben felt angry and injured when , in the midst of some brilliant plan for startling those of the good people of Guilford who should come to their circus , Toby would stop to say something to Abner , who was hobbling along as fast as possible in order that he might not oblige the party to wait for him . For a number of years Toby had known that there was a crippled orphan at the poor-farm ; but it so happened that he had not met him very often , and even then he had no idea of the lonely life the boy was obliged to lead . On the way to the village he had formed several plans by which he might aid Abner ; but none of them could be put into operation until after he had consulted Uncle Daniel and Aunt Olive . It was nearly noon , and the understanding was that each one should get his dinner and go to the pasture again , when it would be known whether they were to be able to number Chandler Merrill 's pony among the attractions of their show , or be wholly dependent upon the disabled horses that as yet made up their collection . `` You 're comin ' to get dinner with me , Abner , '' said Toby , as he stopped in front of Uncle Daniel 's gate , while the little fellow was continuing on his way to the only place he could call home , there to get his dinner with the other paupers . `` I 'm afraid your aunt wo n't want me , '' he said , shyly , while it was plain to be seen that he would be more than well pleased to accept the invitation . `` Aunt Olive wo n't care a bit , an ' she 'll be glad to have you , I know , 'cause she says it always does her good to see hungry people eat , though if that 's so I must have done her an awful sight of good lots of times , for it do n't seem to me I ever set down to the table in my life but what I was awful hungry .