While this colloquy was going on, the manager appeared in the ring. Whippleby laughingly told him what had happened, and he seemed to be much amused by it; but the ring-master had certainly changed his tone at the appearance of the "head man."
"Come, my boy, come down, and let me see how well you do your business," said the manager.
"I've had enough of it," replied Noddy, as he returned to the ring. "I'm not a horse, and I'm not going to be treated like one."
"That's your initiation, my boy," said Whippleby. "We always try new beginners in that way, to find out what they are made of."
"You will find out what I'm made of, if you hit me again with that whip."
"I know now. You won't need any more, if you try to do what you are told."
"I'm not going to be whipped, whether I try or not," added Noddy, doggedly.
"You shall not be whipped, my boy," said the manager. "Now show me your ground act."
The novice was about to comply,—for he had already come to the conclusion that the "head man" would protect him,—when he saw two men enter the tent. They did not belong to the company, and Noddy was quite sure he had often seen them in Whitestone.
"We don't allow visitors in here now," said the manager.