He took down a bottle from
the shelf by the table and slipped quietly out to the street.
When he was out of sight of the house he looked to see if the
half-dollar were still in his pocket. The sight of it made him recall
vividly all the joys that he would miss if he didn't get to see the
circus. He took the coin out of his pocket and looked at it and the
longer he looked the slower grew his pace. Then he thought of Kathleen
and the summer cough that Mother 'Larkey said was bad for babies, and
his lips suddenly closed in a firm, straight line. He clutched the
half-dollar tightly in one hand, the bottle in the other, and set out as
fast as his legs would carry him. He did not dare waste a moment for
fear the temptation to change his mind would prove too great to be
resisted.
Not once did he slacken speed till he reached the corner drug store.
Speechless for lack of breath, he passed the bottle over the counter to
Mr. Barton.
"Well, Jerry, what is it this time?" asked the clerk.
Jerry panted a moment before he could reply.
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