“‘What then?’ queried the third.
“‘Is your wish?’ asked the last.
“‘Just to stay with you always,’ I answered the four of them, ‘to be one of your clowns, to cut pranks for the children, and sometimes see Gray Ears, the Elephant.’
“‘Granted most gladly,’ each and all of them cried, while the children added their welcome; ‘this very night you shall take your place with the rest, so make ready at once to join with them.’
“I answered this speech with another low bow and then skipped to where Gray Ears was standing. At a nod of his head I mounted his foot and held fast to his knee while, amid shouts of delight from the children, the big fellow set off in very grand style toward his home in the menagerie tent.
“‘Gray Ears,’ I questioned, as we came almost to it, ‘now do tell me what it was you said to the watchman and what it was you whispered in the policeman’s right ear?’
“‘Why,’ began he, ‘But see what is happening! There! On down the tent!’
“What I saw as I looked was whole dozens of clowns pouring in through the curtain we had passed when we came. Peal after peal of merriest laughter attended the sight of them. But amid it and the music we could hear voices calling:
“‘O, Dan, Dan, Diggeldy Dan,
Where’s Dan, Dan, Diggeldy Dan?’