"As we are honest people," she said in her turn, "and so that you may not think that we stole him, as you seem to suggest, I will tell you how, three weeks ago, he became one of us."
Thus begun, the conversation was continued in a friendly way. True, a policeman was called, but only to inform the audience, at the manager's request, of the adventures of Dog-Clown who had delighted them all.
Reine wept for the handsome poodle who would now no longer be with her on her travels, and there was weeping and wailing in the menagerie, when his comrades heard the news, for all the animals loved Clown.
This last scene was so affecting that the audience itself, moved to tears, made no complaint.
It's a sad thing but true, alas, that what brings happiness to one brings sorrow to others.
Bertha was too happy and this time too anxious, to leave Clown any longer, even in the midst of these kind circus people. She thanked them warmly for the good care they had taken of her dog, Mademoiselle Reine especially, whom she kissed very sweetly. She promised, too, to take Clown to see her as soon as they reached Neuilly, and giving her address, begged the young girl to come to visit her in Paris.
After this Bertha departed in haste, hardly giving Clown time to say good-bye to his best friends and comrades, all of whom wept at the parting.
