Veve thought it especially funny the first time she heard the balloon seller called “the bag guy.” After that she became used to it and spoke of him the same way herself.
“I know what let’s do,” she proposed to Connie as an idea suddenly struck her. “Let’s look at the steam calliope.”
“The horse piano!” laughed Connie, who had heard Eva use that name. “Yes, that should be fun!”
The girls found the calliope in a large wagon decorated with gold and white carvings. Pat Dawson, the operator, was working on the instrument when they climbed up beside him.
“Why, the keyboard looks almost like our piano at home!” Connie exclaimed in astonishment.
“Want to play a tune?” the operator invited.
“Oh, I can’t play a circus calliope,” Connie said, shrinking back at the thought.
“Can you play the piano?”
“I know ‘The Buttercup,’” Connie admitted, after thinking a moment. “And I can play part of ‘The Merry Sleigh Ride.’”
“Then sit right down here,” the man urged, making room for her at the keyboard. “The steam is on. Go to it!”