“Don’t do that! He’ll go quietly enough if you just ask him. He’s a feeble old man—be gentle!”
“But we want no ‘cranks’ in here creating a disturbance! Enough has happened this performance, already!”
THE TWINS AND CLOWN ON THE SHETLAND PONY.
Dorothy’s House Party.
“Jim! James Barlow! Herbert Montaigne!” These two were the only ones left still in the ring of the lot who had pursued the runaway twins, the others having shamefacedly retreated as soon as they saw the children were safe. They looked toward the Master yet lingered to receive the twins whom their captor was now willing to resign; they struggling to remain and a mixed array of flying legs and arms resulting.
However, neither screams nor obstreperous kicks availed to prolong that delectable ride, and presently the little ones found themselves back in the grasp of a bevy of girls who made a human fence about them, and so hedged them in to safety.
“Lads, I must leave you to see our girls safe home. Do so immediately the performance is over and it must be nearly now. This poor old chap is ill and bemused by his rough handling. I’m going to take him to a hospital I know and have him cared for. I’ll go down to Deerhurst as soon as I can but don’t wait for me. Come, friend. Let us go;” and linking his strong arm within the weak one of the man, scarce older yet so much frailer than he, he walked quietly away, the fanatic unresisting and obedient.
With the Master’s departure the glamour faded from the “Show”; and at Helena’s suggestion the whole party promptly made their exit.
“It’s a wise move, too, Helena. We can catch the five o’clock train down and it won’t be crowded, as the later one will be. I fancy we’ve all had about all the circus we want—this time. Anybody got a rope?” said Herbert.
“What in the world do you want of a rope?” asked his sister.