Guido's theatre was a small place with crude, wooden benches. Tony helped Guido work the puppets. Mrs. Guido played the squeaky piano.
But the marionettes were really handsome. There were Kings and Queens in velvet and purple. Knights in armour.
| THE MARIONETTES WERE VERY HANDSOME |
Tina performed between the acts. She amused the audience while the scene was being changed.
She would walk in on her hind legs, a ruff around her neck. She would throw kisses and nearly topple over backwards.
She would turn 'round and 'round in a sort of old-fashioned waltz. She might have been a white, furry merry-go-round but for the pink tongue that popped out so frequently.
When she finished her part, she always ran straight to Tony. While he worked a puppet with one hand, he untied her ruff with the other. He knew she disliked the stiff thing.
This afternoon the theatre was well crowded. It was Saturday. As Tony lifted Tina up on the stage, she turned and licked his face. Then, out she waltzed and the people began to clap.
When the clapping stopped, a child's voice suddenly piped up, "Oh, it's Niki! Papa, Papa, it's Niki!"