noon before
Under different circumstances this would have been a most delightful day for him , for the entrance of a circus into Guilford had always been a source of one day 's solid enjoyment ; but now he was the most disconsolate and unhappy boy in all that crowd . He did not ride throughout the entire route of the procession , for Mr. Lord was anxious to begin business , and the moment the tenting ground was reached the wagon containing Mr. Lord 's goods was driven into the inclosure and Toby 's day 's work began . He was obliged to bring water , to cut up the lemons , fetch and carry fruit from the booth in the big tent to the booth on the outside , until he was ready to drop with fatigue , and , having had no time for breakfast , was nearly famished . It was quite noon before he was permitted to go to the hotel for something to eat , and then Ben 's advice to be one of the first to get to the tables was not needed . In the eating line that day he astonished the servants , the members of the company , and even himself , and by the time he arose from the table , with both pockets and his stomach full to bursting , the tables had been set and cleared away twice while he was making one meal . `` Well , I guess you did n't hurry yourself much , '' said Mr. Lord , when Toby returned to the circus ground . `` Oh yes , I did , '' was Toby 's innocent reply : `` I ate just as fast as I could '' ; and a satisfied smile stole over the boy 's face as he thought of the amount of solid food he had consumed .