Part 20 (2/2)

”I don't agree with you,” laughed Phil

The lads strolled into thetent The gasolinetheerie attendants were turning the tongues of the cages about so that the horses could be hitched on proan

Soed beasts were lying with their noses poked through between the bars of their cages, blinking drowsily

”I'd hate to be him,” announced Teddy with a coiraffe, which stood silent in his roped enclosure, his head far up in the shadows

”Why?”

”For two reasons Keeper tells me he can't rowl, nor bark, nor-- can't do anything I'd rather be a lion or a tiger or so else, then, I could stand off and growl at folks”

Phil nodded and slad you are not a giraffe?”

”Because--because--because when you had a sore throat think what a lot of neck you'd have to gargle!”

Phil laughed outright, and as the giraffe lowered its head and peered down into their faces, he thought, for the rin

After this they continued on to the dressing tent, where they re performance This passed off without incident, Teddy and hisa rent in the ringmaster's coat

After the shoas over, and the tents had begun to co don for a lunch

”This fresh air ry You see, I aetic tone

”You do not have to go down for a lunch, unless you want to,”

the bandmaster inforrounds?”

”No We have an accommodation car on our section”

”What kind of car is that?”

”Lunch car You can't get a heavylunch The boss has it served at cost

He doesn't make any money out of the deal You'll find it on our section”

”Good! Co Teddy”

”Will I? That's where I'll spendtrot

”And your nights too, if they would let you,” laughed Phil, following his coait

As they crossed the lot they passed ”Red” Larry, as he had now been nicknamed by the showly scowl on his face that told Phil he did, and after the lads had gone on a piece Phil turned, casting a careless look back where the torches were flaring andnow He was facing the boys, shaking a clenched fist at them