"Come, let that alone for a while, sister. You work quite too hard. You must play with us a little," would she laughingly obey orders, and go off with the others for a romp or a ramble.
Of course their presence aroused the curiosity of the people in the neighborhood, and they had many visitors, who for the most part behaved very well, some indeed bringing them welcome presents of fruit and milk and butter, which were keenly appreciated.
As might be expected, they begged for a performance, and in view of their kind treatment, Nadine thought they could not very well refuse; so she promised that they would give one on the evening before their departure.
The happy restful days slipped by all too quickly, and the end of their short holiday was at hand.
"Oh dear!" sighed Cæsar. "This is our last day. We must be on the road again to-morrow if we would reach Beaulieu in time to get a good position. I do wish we could stay another week."
"So do I," chirped little Abel. "Why can't we? It's so nice here, and we needn't be in such a hurry, surely."
"But we do need," responded Nadine, patting the little fellow affectionately on the head. "It is important that we should get to the fair before the best places are taken, for we must make all the money there that we possibly can. The winter will soon be coming on, when we can't earn anything, you know."
Abel made a rueful grimace, but did not continue the argument. Nadine was right of course. She always was. Nobody could be wiser than Nadine. Yet there were times when it went against the grain to do everything just as she wished.
However, there was still a whole day left, so let them make the most of it. In the evening they would give their performance and the next morning they would resume their journey.
In the course of his roaming about the country, Cæsar had found a large deep pool not far down the stream from their camping-place, in which he had enjoyed sundry refreshing baths. It now occurred to him that it was just the place for another purpose.