Conditions rapidly improved. There weren’t nearly so many people, and what there were were of a quieter type.
Half-way up the knoll Baron turned about for a bird’s-eye view of the whole place. But beneath them a Midway blazed, and he caught sight of a lady on a platform before a tent, who was coiling a very large snake about her neck, while a little farther away a princess—she seemed to be—in red satin and spangles, sat wearily on a palanquin on top of a camel.
He thought it would be as well for his mother not to see these choicest fascinations of Fairyland. He directed attention to the theatre ahead, which was modelled after what is left of a famous Roman ruin. And so they completed their climb without looking back.
A grove surrounded the theatre, and under the trees there were chairs and tables.
“Chairs!” exclaimed Mrs. Baron. “They’re the first thing I’ve seen....” She turned one about and sat down.
“Fine idea, that,” said Baron. “Let’s all sit down.”
“It’s plenty of time to go in when you hear the overture begin,” observed Bonnie May; whereat Mrs. Baron regarded her with rather a blank expression; but she said nothing.
From the portals of the theatre strolled Thornburg, and instantly his glance took in Baron and his party.
It was Baggot who observed that the manager seemed about to join them.
The manager did. He came toward them across the grass and shook hands with Baron. He was smiling almost benignantly.