Chapter XVIII
Of course Maida didn’t know what happened in the Plaza after she was packed in the box, and carted away, but she was told about it afterward by Jack-in-the-Box. Business being disposed of, Aurora turned off the red light and the crowd rose with a sigh of relief.
“Now that we’ve settled and done with all this nonsense, let’s talk of something really worth while,” said Aurora. “Let’s talk about me. Unbind those two rogues, and let them approach,” and she pointed to Jack and the Candy Kid who were thereupon unbound and persuaded to draw near. Neither of them had paid particular attention to Aurora, so when she stood in front of Jack and smirked at him, all his machinery began to rattle and creak and whirr like mad.
“Let me run down,” he cried, “let me run down, I don’t want to see any more.”
As for the Candy Kid, he took one good look then covered his eyes with his hands. Luckily Aurora misunderstood their meaning. “My fatal beauty,” she sighed. “The sun is too bright for our eyes. I must be like that to them. Such appreciation is a compliment. I pardon you both. Now tell me,” as they started to bow themselves away, “Did you ever see anything just like me before?” “We never did,” replied the two, and Aurora smirked. “For your sake,” she said, “I will forgive the toy-maker. I had no idea he could make such clever marionettes. I’ll have him make me a couple of hundred.” Just at this moment there was a diversion. Fido came galloping through the Plaza. Not being accustomed to Polar Bears, although they have a lovely Zoo, the Illusians scattered.
Fido Flew
With his nose to the ground Fido was following the scent of his two chums and before anyone had a chance to prevent him he reared up and stood face to face with Aurora. She smiled on him. Did you ever see a fox terrier run after a cat? Then just when your heart was in your mouth the cat got tired of running, sat down, and stared in the dog’s face. Do you remember how the dog acted? Well, when the Bear came face to face with that awful smile he acted just like a very small pup who has chased a very large cat and discovered his mistake. Then he fled.