"What kind of business can you do, my boy?"
"Almost anything, sir."
"No, sir; I'm not much used to standing up on a horse, but I think I could go it, after doing it a little while."
"Do you, indeed!" sneered the man. "Well, we don't want anybody that can do almost any kind of business."
"I'm used to this thing, sir," pleaded Noddy.
"Used to it! I suppose you want a place as a bill-sticker, or to take care of the horses."
"No, sir; I want to perform. If you will give me a chance to show what I can do, I think you'll have me," persisted Noddy, not at all pleased with the decided refusal he had received.
"Well, come in here," laughed the head man, who had no doubt that the applicant would soon be brought to grief.
It was almost time for the doors to be opened for the afternoon performance, and the man conducted Noddy to the ring, where he saw a number of the riders and gymnasts, all dressed in their silks and spangles to appear before the public.