“Now I’m ready to start my daring act,” she announced. “Hold my hand until I get balanced, Connie.”
Veve climbed up on the box. She stood a moment with one foot on the rope, the other on the orange crate. Holding the umbrella in her right hand, she swayed back and forth.
“Why are you doing that?” asked Connie, puzzled.
“I have to balance myself. Now if you want to see a real tightrope walker, just watch!”
Veve’s round, freckled face became very serious. Swinging her foot from the box to the rope, she started forward. The clothes-line sagged beneath her weight.
“Be careful!” cried Connie.
Her words ended in a loud shriek, for the little girl had lost her balance. Wildly, the red and green umbrella waved in the air. Then with a great splash, Veve pitched sideways into the lily pond.
CHAPTER 3
The Brownie Circus
THE lily pond was quite shallow. Connie knew Veve would not drown. However, she was annoyed that her friend had fallen into the water, taking the red and green umbrella with her.