"Oh, he could pretend to say his prayers, make believe he was dead, he could turn somersaults and climb a ladder."
"Oh, if we only had him for our circus!" cried Bunny.
"Where is that dog now, Grandpa?" asked Sue.
"Oh, he died a good many years ago. But I guess you can get your dog Splash to do some tricks. Have a good time, but don't get into mischief."
"We won't!" promised Bunny Brown and his sister Sue. And they really meant what they said. But you just wait and see what happens.
The rest of that day Bunny and Sue talked about the circus they were going to have. Grandma Brown, as well as father and Mother Brown, said she did not mind if a circus was held in the barn, but she wanted Bunny to be careful about going on the trapeze.
"Oh, if I fall I'll fall in the hay," said the little fellow with a laugh.
"And what are you going to use to put stripes on your half of Splash?" asked his mother.
"Paint, I guess," said Bunny.
"Oh, no. Paint would spoil Splash's nice, fluffy hair. I'll mix you up some starch and water, with a little bluing in, that will easily wash off," promised Mother Brown.