“Barnabetta was brought up in the circus. I cradled her in my make-up tray, and she slept there, or sucked at her bottle, when I was out in the ring doin’ my turn as a joey.
“She ain’t had much experience outside the big top. She couldn’t be sure of gettin’ a safe job—only a young gal like her—lest I was with her.”
“Why!” exclaimed Ruth, more cheerfully. “Let her wait here—with you—Mr. Scruggs. Maybe we can find her a job right here in Milton, until your ankle is well enough for you to travel.”
“Huh!” snorted Barnabetta. “Who wants a lady acrobat, I’d like to know, in this ‘hick’ burg?”
“But, can’t you do anything else, Barnabetta?” asked Ruth, more eagerly. “Couldn’t you ‘tend counter in a candy store like June Wildwood? Or maybe we could get you a chance in the Five and Ten Cent Store. Oh! as soon as Mr. Howbridge gets home, I am sure he can help us.”
“We’re not a-goin’ to stay,” interrupted Barnabetta, still bitterly antagonistic to every suggestion of the Corner House girl. “Come on, Pop.”
“Aw, Barney! Listen to reason,” begged the clown.
“We haven’t got a right to,” gasped Barnabetta. “I tell you these girls will want to put us in jail.”
“What for?” demanded Ruth, wonderingly.
“Well me in jail, then. Pop hasn’t done anything.”’