And he looked at Nunkie with an air of saying:
“You old rogue!”
As for the Three Graces, it was a pleasure to watch them: their pluck was infectious.
“To work!” said Pa. “Let’s have a somersault, eh?”
And, at a sign from him, two of the apprentices, assisted by Tom, fixed a little steel-legged table in the middle of the stage, bore down upon it with all their weight. The bike, set at full speed, stopped short as it struck the table; and Lily, carried on by the impulse, continued her whirl, full on her back, and, carrying the machine with her, came to the ground on the other side of the table and went on riding. But that shook her, in her stomach, her heart, everywhere. Each time, she was nearly succeeding, but it wasn’t quite right.
“I can see,” said Pa, “you want to make me lose my temper!”
“But, Pa, it hurts!”
“Oh, those blasted little brats!” shouted Pa angrily. “Rickety machines, every one of them: no more energy than a sparrow and lazy into the bargain!”
Then, suddenly, Lily succeeded magnificently.
“You see you can do it when you like, you obstinate little wretch!” said Pa. “Now try not to miss it again, next time! That will do for to-day,” he added, seeing Lily out of breath. “Go and get dressed, my Lily.”