"You—you mean that you will teach me?"
"Of course. What did you think I meant?"
"I—I wasn't sure. That will be splendid."
"I saw your elephant act. You are a very finished performer— a natural born showman. If you stay in the business long enough you will make a great reputation for yourself."
"I don't want to be a performer all my life. I am going to own a show some of these days," announced the boy confidently.
"Oh, you are, are you?" laughed Dimples. "Well, if you say so, I most surely believe you. You have the right sort of pluck to get anything you set your heart on. Now if my boy only—"
"Your boy?"
"Yes. Didn't you know that I am a married woman?"
"Oh my, I thought you were a young girl," exclaimed Phil.
"Thank you; that was a very pretty compliment. But, alas, I am no longer young. I have a son almost as old as you are. He is with his father, performing at the Crystal Palace in London. I expect to join them over there after my season closes here."