It was from William, however, that they heard what it was that the circus had really lost.
‘It’s a tame Le-o-pard,’ said William; ‘him with the spots that you can’t change, and the long tail.’
‘I know,’ said Charlotte; ‘there’s a leopard’s skin in the drawing-room. Very spotty they are. And fierce, too, I believe. Oh, William! I do hope it won’t come this way.’
‘There’s something about it in the book,’ said Caroline, who, as usual, had her magic books under her arm. She found the place and read, ‘Leopard’s-bane, its government and virtues’—quite a long piece. When she had done, William said:
‘Thank you very much; quite pretty, ain’t it?’ And Rupert said it was all nonsense.
‘But it won’t come this way, will it?’ Charlotte repeated.
‘It’s a tame one,’ said William, grinning. ‘At least that’s the character it’s got from its last place. But it won’t be any too tame for Poad, I expect. I hear he’s got the job of catching of it. And serve him right too.’
‘Oh, why?’ asked Charlotte.
‘Because,’ said William shortly, and was told not to be cross about nothing.
‘’Tain’t nothing, then,’ he said; ‘’twas the way he acted about my dog license, and the dog only two months over puppy-age, when no license is taken nor yet asked.’