(B) Every time a circus used to come — our town, I and my friend Joey thought — nothing else but the circus and we were no good at all — school.

The circus was everything to us. When we heard that the circus was — its way we ran all — the town — excitement, we just couldn't keep quiet. And when the circus was — last — town we liked nothing better than to watch the workers, the acrobats and the clowns, the animals. We tried to join the workers, we used to carry water — the elephant; we showed the smaller boys — the place. It was great fun.
This time the whole trouble started when Joey ran — the classroom one day, ten minutes late, and without taking — his hat and explaining why he was late cried:

"Hey, Aram, what are you doing here? The circus is — town!"

I needn't mention here what I felt when I heard the news, I jumped — — once and ran — — the room while I heard the teacher shouting — , me, "Aram, stay — this room. Do you hear me, Aram."

I heard her very well and I knew what my not staying would mean. It meant a good beating* from old man Dawson and catching — — the class. The minute the circus arrived — town we were — — school.

(After "The Circus" by W. Saroyan)