“It’s some kind of clap-trap,” said Edna. “I’ve read how it’s done. There’s looking-glass fronts and curtains and things, you know.”
“What a beautifully clear explanation!” said Lily.
“I’d just love to have my fortune told,” said Katie.
“You couldn’t understand her. Probably she’s a real, genuine, imported sphinx. Speaks no English—nothing but Pyramid,” Lily said, mockingly.
“There’s no such language as Pyramid, is there?” asked Katie, rather doubtfully.
“Well, then, she’d speak the tongue of the Ptolemies, whatever that was, and you couldn’t understand it. But, no matter what she speaks, you are not likely to see her.”
The matter was dropped then, but the next morning when Mrs. Abbott took her seat to open school she found a yard-long pictorial advertisement of the circus laid conspicuously on the desk. On its margin was written, “Please take us,” on reading which she shook her head gravely.
“I have had such requests before,” she said, severely, “and all but the latest comers know how thoroughly I disapprove of circuses and all such exhibitions.”
She looked grave and displeased, and the girls, discussing the matter afterward, were very indignant at Edna, who had put the play-bill on the desk without their knowledge. She defended herself rather crossly, and a quarrel seemed inevitable; but Elfie, coming in with a book for Katie, made a diversion.
“Is you most crying ’cause you can’t go to see the efalumps and the big, big bears?” she asked, looking at Edna curiously.