"Because Benny isn't with us any more. We'll have to cut out the fish act."
Joe Strong heard this, and came to a sudden decision—and yet not so sudden, either, for he had given it considerable thought.
"Look here, Mr. Tracy," he said. "I don't believe we'll have to give up the tank act after all."
"Why not?"
"Well, can't I do it well enough?"
"Oh, it isn't a question of that, Joe. You sure did make a hit with it. But I thought you'd rather keep at your trapeze work."
"So I would—for a while at any rate. But why can't I do part of the trapeze act, and the rest of my stunts in the tank? I like it. I'm sure I can do better the more practice I have. I'll make you that offer—to do the tank act and as much of my trapeze work as I have time for. What do you say?"
"Why, I guess I'll say 'yes,'" replied the ring-master. "I only thought you were doing it to fill in at our opening engagement; to prevent the public's howling, Joe. But if you want to keep on with it, why, I'm willing, and thankful too."
"All right, I'll do it!" decided Joe.
"Good! Unpack the tank, boys!" cried Jim Tracy. "Set her up and fill her with water. We'll have a 'boy fish' act after all!"