Once outside, Dave, with a twinkle in his eye, began to walk as though he had some important mission to perform.
“Well, well!” His smile broadened. “I was certainly never placed in such a remarkable situation before. It has an element of grim humor in it, too. But for this hungry feeling I’d laugh out loud. Stranded! Think of the fearfulness of it! Actually stranded!”
Dave’s reflections, however, did not drive away his cheerful expression.
“Now that the chaps have disappeared,” he mused, “their kindly support must needs be withdrawn. Here I am, left high and dry on the shores of adversity, with two awful alternatives facing me: to borrow, or not to borrow; to depend upon myself, or not to depend upon myself.”
The humor of it all appealed irresistibly to the historian; he laughed to himself, although his eyes were turned longingly toward a restaurant in the window of which a tempting collection of food products was displayed.
“There’s no telling how or when we fellows will get together again,” mused Dave. “Something has to be done quickly. I believe I’ve struck the best plan. Anyway, it won’t do any harm to try it. Although”—he laughed aloud—“I reckon little Vic will be considerably surprised—even shocked.”
Dave had completely thrown off his usually languid air. He walked briskly, with a certain look in his eye which his chums would have known meant a determination not to be swerved.
He slackened his rapid pace only when a group of circus tents finally appeared in view. A few minutes later he crossed the lot, directing his steps toward the mess tent.
He found it crowded with men and women seated before rough board tables. A savory odor filling the enclosure made Dave sniff the air with keen relish. It also served to increase his tremendous desire for a good square meal.
Several waiters in white caps and aprons, balancing trays, hustled along the narrow aisles. A constant rattle of dishes and the jingle of knives and forks mingled in with the buzz of conversation. Sometimes a bawling voice sharply punctuated this medley of sound, and now one close at hand suddenly roared out: