"I couldn't have a better act unless I got a real live mermaid to perform with me," Joe decided, as Lizzie shot up out of the water to breathe.
Joe did not know the length of time the sea-lion could stay under water without breathing. Doubtless she could rival him, but she never did—at least, in the glass tank. A minute seemed to be her limit of endurance, though Joe had no means of making an accurate decision.
At any rate, the act was a big success, and Joe had to bow and bow again to the applause as he came out after his endurance test. This time he made it four minutes and eleven seconds, a gain of one, and he ascribed his better lung power to motor-cycle riding in the open air.
"Good work! Good!" was Jim Tracy's compliment at the conclusion of the performance.
"I'm glad to hear him say that," said the boy fish. "It will make it easier to ask for more money, for that's what I'm going to do."
When the mail was distributed just before supper, there was a letter for Joe.
"Hello! This is too bad!" Joe exclaimed as he read the note.
"What is it?" asked Helen.
"Bad news," Joe answered. "There isn't any hope for Benny after all!"
CHAPTER XIX