"He knows how to turn a pretty compliment as well as he knows how to ride, Mr. Sparling," bubbled Dimples. "You should just hear the nice things he said to me back in the paddock," she teased.
Phil blushed furiously.
"Shall I ride again?" he asked.
"Not necessary," answered the owner. "But, by the way, you might get up and do a somersault. Do a backward turn with the horse at a gallop," suggested Mr. Sparling, with a suspicion of a smile at the corners of his mouth.
"A somersault?" stammered Phil, somewhat taken back. "Why—I—
I—I guess I couldn't do that; I haven't learned to do that yet."
"Not learned to do it? I am surprised."
Phil looked crestfallen.
"I am surprised, indeed, that there is one thing in this show that you are unable to do." The manager broke out into a roar of laughter, in which Little Dimples joined merrily.
"May I go on?" asked the lad somewhat apprehensively.
"May you? May you? Why, I—"