"What happened?"
"You had a fall from your trapeze, they tell me," the nurse said.
"Oh, yes, I remember now. Am I badly hurt?"
"The doctor does not think so. But you must be quiet now. You are to take this."
She held a glass of medicine to his lips.
"But I must know about it," Joe insisted. "I've got to go on with the show. Has the circus left?"
"Hours ago, yes. It's all right. You are to stay here with us until you are better. A Mr. Tracy told me to tell you."
"Oh, yes, Jim—the ring-master. Well I—I guess I'll have to stay whether I want to or not."
Joe had tried to raise his head from the pillow, but a severe pain, shooting through his neck and shoulders, warned him that he had better lie quietly. He also became aware that his head was bandaged.
"I must be in pretty bad shape," he said.