Part 23 (2/2)

”Here, 'Becca,” said the hoa.r.s.e Bill. ”Get him some grub--the best you've got, mind!” Another whisper followed, of which the children only heard, ”Down in black and white--first thing to-morrow.”

Then the woman went to get the food--it was only bread and cheese when it came, but it was delightful to the large and empty Robert; and the man went to post sentinels round the tent, to give the alarm if Robert should attempt to escape with his fifteen s.h.i.+llings.

”As if we weren't honest,” said Anthea indignantly when the meaning of the sentinels dawned on her.

Then began a very strange and wonderful afternoon.

Bill was a man who knew his business. In a very little while, the photographic views, the spygla.s.ses you look at them through so that they really seem rather real, and the lights you see them by, were all packed away. A curtain--it was an old red-and-black carpet really--was run across the tent. Robert was concealed behind, and Bill was standing on a trestle-table outside the tent making a speech. It was rather a good speech. It began by saying that the giant it was his privilege to introduce to the public that day was the eldest son of the Emperor of San Francisco, compelled through an unfortunate love affair with the d.u.c.h.ess of the Fiji Islands to leave his own country and take refuge in England--the land of liberty--where freedom was the right of every man, no matter how big he was. It ended by the announcement that the first twenty who came to the tent door should see the giant for threepence apiece. ”After that,” said Bill, ”the price is riz, and I don't undertake to say what it won't be riz to. So now's yer time.”

A young man with his sweetheart on her afternoon out was the first to come forward. For this occasion his was the princely att.i.tude--no expense spared--money no object. His girl wished to see the giant? Well, she should see the giant, even though seeing the giant cost threepence each and the other entertainments were all penny ones.

The flap of the tent was raised--the couple entered. Next moment a wild shriek from the girl thrilled through all present. Bill slapped his leg.

”That's done the trick!” he whispered to 'Becca. It was indeed a splendid advertis.e.m.e.nt of the charms of Robert.

When the young girl came out she was pale and trembling, and a crowd was round the tent.

[Ill.u.s.tration: When the girl came out she was pale and trembling]

”What was it like?” asked a farm-hand.

”Oh!--horrid!--you wouldn't believe,” she said. ”It's as big as a barn, and that fierce. It froze the blood in my bones. I wouldn't ha' missed seeing it for anything.”

The fierceness was only caused by Robert's trying not to laugh. But the desire to do that soon left him, and before sunset he was more inclined to cry than laugh, and more inclined to sleep than either. For, by ones and twos and threes, people kept coming in all the afternoon, and Robert had to shake hands with those who wished it, and to allow himself to be punched and pulled and patted and thumped, so that people might make sure he was really real.

The other children sat on a bench and watched and waited, and were very bored indeed. It seemed to them that this was the hardest way of earning money that could have been invented. And only fifteen s.h.i.+llings! Bill had taken four times that already, for the news of the giant had spread, and trades-people in carts, and gentlepeople in carriages, came from far and near. One gentleman with an eyegla.s.s, and a very large yellow rose in his b.u.t.tonhole, offered Robert, in an obliging whisper, ten pounds a week to appear at the Crystal Palace. Robert had to say ”No.”

”I can't,” he said regretfully. ”It's no use promising what you can't do.”

”Ah, poor fellow, bound for a term of years, I suppose! Well, here's my card; when your time's up come to me.”

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”When your time's up come to me”]

”I will--if I'm the same size then,” said Robert truthfully.

”If you grow a bit, so much the better,” said the gentleman.

When he had gone, Robert beckoned Cyril and said--

”Tell them I must and will have a rest. And I want my tea.”

Tea was provided, and a paper hastily pinned on the tent. It said--

CLOSED FOR HALF AN HOUR WHILE THE GIANT GETS HIS TEA

Then there was a hurried council.

”How am I to get away?” said Robert.

”I've been thinking about it all the afternoon.”

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