"Why, good evening, Phil," greeted the showman, looking up quickly with a welcoming smile on his face.
"I call it a very bad evening, sir."
"Very well, we will revise our statement. Bad evening, Phil!"
"Same to you, Mr. Sparling," laughed the lad. "Yes, I think that fits the case very well indeed."
"And now that we have observed the formalities, come in and sit down. Are you wet?"
"No; I went to my car and changed before coming in. I thought a few minutes' delay would make no difference. Had you sent for me on the lot I would have reported more promptly."
"Quite right, my boy. No, there was nothing urgent. The storm did not interfere much with the performance, did it?"
"No. The audience was a little nervous at one time, but the scare quickly passed off."
"Where's your friend?"
"Teddy Tucker?"