"Top of the bill of fare.I've cleaned up everything halfway down thelist, and I'm going through the whole bill, even if I have to get up and shake myself down like the miller does a bag of meal.""Be careful, old chap.Remember you and I have to begin our real work today.We shall want to be in the best of shape for our ring act.You won't, if you fill up as you are doing now," warned Phil.
"Not going to work today." "What's that?""No flying rings today." "I don't understand.""No flying rings, I said.Mr.Sparling isn't going to put on our act today.""How do you know?" asked Phil in some surprise."Heard him say so.""When?" "Just now."
"Why, I came in with him myself less than ten minutes ago--""I know.He stopped right in front of my table here to speak to the ringmaster.Heard him say you were not to be allowed to go on till tomorrow.We don't have to go in the parade today if we don't want to, either.But you are to ride Emperor in the Grand Entry, and I'm to do my stunt on the educated mule.""Pshaw, I can work today as well as I ever could," said Phil in a disappointed tone."And I'm going on, too, unless Mr.Sparling gives medistinct orders to the contrary."
Phil got the orders before he had finished his breakfast.
"Believe me, Phil, I know best," said Mr.Sparling, noting the lad's disappointment."You have had a pretty severe strain this morning, and to go on now with the excitement of the first day added to that, I fear might be too much for you.It might lay you up for some weeks, and we cannot afford to have that happen, you know.I need you altogether too much for that.""Very well, sir; it shall be as you wish.I suppose I may go on in the Grand Entry as usual?""Oh, yes, if you wish." "I do."
"Very well; then I'll let Mr.Kennedy know.You had better lie down and rest while the parade is out.""Thank you; I hardly think that will be necessary.I feel fit enough for work right now.""Such is youth and enthusiasm," mused the showman, passing on out of the cook tent, once more to go over his arrangements, for there were many details to be looked after on this the first day of the show's season on the road.
Phil called on Mrs.Sparling after breakfast, receiving from the showman's wife a most hospitable welcome.She asked him all about how he had spent the winter, and seemed particularly interested in Mrs.Cahill, who was now the legal guardian of both the boys.Mrs.Sparling already had a letter in her pocket, with the check for one hundred dollars which the showman had drawn for Phil.It was going to Mrs.Cahill to be deposited to the lad's credit, but he would know nothing of this until the close of the season.After he had gone home he would find himself a hundred dollars richer than he thought.
His call finished, Phil went out and rejoined Teddy.Together they started back toward the dressing tent to set their trunks in order and get out such of their costumes as they would need that afternoon and evening.Then again, the dressing tent was really the most attractive part of the show to all the performers.It was here that they talked of their work andlife, occasionally practiced new acts of a minor character, and indulged in pranks like a lot of schoolboys at recess time.
As they were passing down along the outside of the big top, Phil noticed several laborers belonging to the show sitting against the side wall sunning themselves.He observed that one of the men was eyeing Teddy and himself with rather more than ordinary interest.
Phil did not give it a second thought, however, until suddenly Teddy gave his arm a violent pinch.
"What is it?"
"See those fellows sitting there?" "Yes.What of it?""One of them is the fellow who ducked me under the water tank back at Germantown.""You don't say?Which one?"
