“Will you please bring him upstairs to the stage? I want him to do some tricks on the stage.”
“He hasn’t got his clown suit on,” Bunny objected.
“No matter,” replied Mr. Martin. “He’ll do as he is. That orange and black suit is fine! One of the performers who was going to sing is late, and I want to amuse the audience while there’s a wait. Your dog will just do for that. Bring him up on the stage.”
“He won’t do tricks unless I tell him to,” said Bunny.
“That’s all right. You can go on the stage,” said the man.
“Hurray! Bunny’s going on the stage!” cried Charlie.
“Well, it isn’t the first time,” said George, for they all remembered the show Bunny and Sue had given.
Up to the opera house proper went Bunny and Patter. Mr. Martin went out in front of the curtain and explained to the audience that while they were waiting for the singer, Bunny Brown and his trick dog would amuse them.
Up went the curtain and out stepped Bunny and Patter. There was not a very large audience, for many persons were still in the lower room, buying things at the church fair. But there was enough of a crowd, and many it in knew Bunny Brown. They clapped their hands when he made his bow, and when Patter also bowed there was more clapping.
Bunny put his dog through a few simple tricks, and these seemed to please the men and women. Of course if Bunny had practiced and had known he was going to give a performance with his dog, it would have been much better. But it was very well as it was, Mr. Martin said, and served to make the people laugh and the time pass until the belated singer appeared.