“I know, my dear,” replied Mrs. Burr with a smile. “Your grandfather has always been kind and good to us. Perhaps next year he will be able to help us more.”
There was a good time at the Home fair, even if not as much money was made as was hoped for. The crippled children, many of whom were given rides in the Curlytops’ goat wagon, were glad to see so many visitors, and Hal took great pride in showing Jan and Ted around the place, and explaining everything.
“I know lots about it,” he said, “’cause I’ve been here longest. But if I get well I’ll have to go away and I’ll miss being here.”
“But you’ll be well,” said Jan. “Won’t that be fine!”
“Yes. But I wish everybody here would be well,” said Hal softly. “Maybe they will when they get some new machines for making crooked legs and feet straight.”
At one end of the long hall where the fair was being held, a booth, or curtained-off place, had been set up for a Punch and Judy show. This was to amuse the children who came with their parents, and the little tots, as well as some of the older boys and girls, had laughed at the funny way Mr. Punch whacked everyone with his stick, and then cried, in his squeaky voice:
“That’s the way to do it! That’s the way I do it!”
The man giving the Punch and Judy show had gone through several performances, as different crowds came and went, and now it was time for another.
“Let’s go down again and listen to him,” said Janet to Hal and Ted, as they stood talking together at the other end of the room. “I like to hear the funny, squeaky voice of Mr. Punch.”
“So do I,” said Teddy.