Part 37 (1/2)
”I'm drowned,” she moaned as he dragged her out on the bank, letting her drop sharply.
”You only think you are. I suppose you know what we've got to do now, don't you?”
”N-n-n-no.”
”We've got to walk to the next stand.”
”How--how far is it?”
”Maybe a hundred miles.”
”Oh, help!”
As a matter of fact they were within five miles of St. Charles, where the Sparling show was billed to exhibit that afternoon and evening.
”I'm afraid they'll miss you in the parade today, but what do you think will happen if we don't reach the show in time for the performance this afternoon?”
”I--I don't know.”
”I do. We'll get fined good and proper.”
”It--it's all your fault, Teddy Tucker.”
Teddy surveyed her wearily.
”If you'd held me up I shouldn't have fallen in and--and--”
”Drowned,” growled Teddy.
”Yes.”
”And if you hadn't sat on me I shouldn't have fallen in, and there you are. Now, get up and we'll find a place to climb up the bank. We can't stay here all day and starve to death.
Come on, now.”
”I--I can't.”
”All right; then I'll go without you.” Teddy started away, whereupon the Fat Woman wailed to him to come back, at the same time struggling to her feet, bedraggled and wet, her hair full of sand and her clothes torn.
”If they'd only start a beauty show in the side top you would take first prize,” grinned the boy. ”Hurry up.”
Marie waddled along with great effort, making slow headway.
”We shall have to go further along before we can get up the bank.
That is, unless you want to take the chance of falling into the creek again.”
It was some distance to the place where the creek curved under the railroad bed, and they would be obliged to go beyond that if they expected to get the Fat Woman out without a repet.i.tion of the previous disaster.
After a while they reached the spot for which Teddy had been heading.