"Oho! Bad as that, eh? Now I see why you're so interested in my affairs of the heart. Misery loves company."
"But I'm not miserable."
"No, of course not. Howsumever, if you insist on asking Philip Van down to the circus, I shall advise asking one Mr. Kit Cameron."
"You're a day behind the fair! I've asked him and he can't come."
"Too bad. But, just for that, I won't have Phil, either. Then we can both be heart-whole and fancy free."
"All right. Bob Riggs has taken a large and elegant notion to you, and I am engaged in the pleasant pastime of subjugating Hal Merritt, so we shan't want for rustic swains."
"As if we ever had! But as for me, this circus business seems a piece of work, and I must apply myself to it, or rejoice in a failure at the eventful moment."
"You're right. Let's go over to Mme. Beauvais' and see about her making our costumes."
"Come on, we'll go now."
The next few days the girls devoted all their time to their costumes and to rehearsals for the circus. It was a more elaborate affair than Patty had anticipated, and the men who were to represent animals had marvellous suits of fur that closely imitated the real thing in wild beasts.