"You need a snifter of brandy," announced Joey conclusively. He went off to get it.
Ruby rinsed her own tin-cup and poured out some hot coffee. Casey called up a boy and sent off to the performer's cook top for a pitcher of soup, some corned beef and potatoes, ignoring her protests.
"And how is the new clown faring?" she asked, turning to the silent David with a smile.
"Very well, thank you," he replied. "I have been very hungry, you know. I have never known food to taste so good."
"The hotels in these towns are atrocious. I can't eat the food," she explained listlessly.
Joey handed her a drink from his flask. She swallowed it obediently but with evident distaste. There was a long, somewhat painful silence.
"I think it's started to sprinkle again," ventured the contortionist, looking at the top with uneasy eyes.
"Yes," she said appreciatively, "it means another wretched night for us." She toyed with the tin-cup with nervous fingers for a moment and then turned to the expectant Grinaldi. "We have been obliged to borrow more money, Joey."
"So?" he said, nodding his head dumbly.
"Five thousand dollars. I—I signed the note with Tom. Oh, if we could only have a spell of good weather!" It was an actual wail of despair.