"Cæsar," said Nadine, wrinkling her white forehead with a profound air of thought, "we have been working very hard this summer, and I think that before we get to Beaulieu, where we shall have to give two performances every day while the fair lasts, we ought to take a holiday—don't you think so, my brother?"
"Right you are, my dear!" cried Cæsar, delighted at the suggestion. "I'm just dead tired of keeping on day after day like this. Let us stay here as long as we can, eh?"
Of course Abel and Lydia gleefully concurred, and when Nalla and Steady were consulted, they clearly signified their approval, while Vigilant, divining that there was something to be joyful over, barked his best, and frisked about merrily. So the matter was settled, and permission having been obtained from the authorities of the village to which the chosen spot belonged, they prepared to spend several days in well-earned idleness.
CHAPTER X.
NALLA PLAYS PRANKS.
The weather was glorious. By day the sun poured down his golden warmth from an almost unclouded sky, and by night the harvest moon at her full rode high in the heavens. The four children forgot all their sorrows and cares for the time. Thanks to their success at Morainville, and the good hopes they cherished of profitable patronage at Beaulieu, they felt no concern about finances. It was a case with them of eat—drink—sleep, sufficient for the day are the blessings thereof; to-morrow can take care of itself.
Nadine was the only one who pretended to do any work, excepting of course that Cæsar looked after the feeding of Nalla, old Steady being able to look after himself as the grass was abundant in their vicinity.
Nadine, being the little housewife, in addition to having the daily meals upon her mind, found much necessary sewing to keep her clever fingers busy, and it was only when Cæsar would snatch the garment away from her, crying: