“I’m going to do my act here,” declared Jack. “I was told to by the manager.”
“I don’t care whether you were or not.”
“Besides, the platform is erected here now,” went on the young clown, “and the men have gone. I can’t move it.”
“Then cut your act out. You’re not going to spoil mine.”
“That’s right. Make him quit,” advised Mitz, the ringmaster, who had just finished putting several horses through their paces, and who was retiring to the dressing-tent. “Make him quit the show,” he added.
Jack looked at him apprehensively, but the ugly ringmaster had been taught a lesson. He did not flick his whip at the boy.
The young clown hesitated. He did not know whether to ignore Ted and go on with his act, or appeal to Mr. Paine, who was at the far side of the ring, making an announcement about a young woman who did a “loop the gap” act in an automobile.
But there was an unexpected diversion in Jack’s favor. Sam Kyle, in his progress around the big ring, had seen that something was amiss. It was his duty to settle disputes among the clowns, and he often had to do so, as, since these performers had no regular place for their acts, one frequently would appear in the same spot where a fellow-actor was showing off.
“What’s the matter?” asked Sam, as he approached.
“He’s butting in on me,” replied Ted, in surly tones.