The man thrust the silver whistle into Connie’s hand.
“Now!” he ordered.
Connie took a deep breath and blew a shrill blast. Instantly, the music changed. Down the ropes slid the trapeze performers. And into the ring rode Eva, her mother and father on their beautiful white horses.
The three riders went through their act, winning thunderous applause. Eva at the right moment did the difficult somersault just as well as she had in the afternoon show.
The man in charge of the circus was watching the act closely. Turning to Veve, he gave the command:
“Now!”
Veve raised the whistle to her lips and blew as hard as she could.
Again the music changed. The riding act left the ring.
“Now scamper back to your places,” the circus man instructed the two girls. “That will be all.”
Connie and Veve moved toward the exit, trying not to walk in front of spectators. They both felt very proud and relieved, for they had blown the silver whistle at exactly the right moment.