Part 6 (2/2)
”Yes. I am going to retire. I am getting old. I have laid up enough money to keep me for the rest of my life, and I am going to take a rest after two years more with this outfit.”
”I am afraid you will miss the show,” smiled the lad.
”I know I shall. I shall miss the life, the color, and I shall miss my boys and my girls. I love them all very much.”
One after another, the women of the circus had come in to the dressing tent, depositing their little floral remembrances on the property grave while Mrs. Waite was talking.
Teddy, as soon as he fully comprehended the meaning of the scene, had slipped out. In a little while he returned. He brought with him a bunch of daisies that he had gathered on the circus lot.
These he had tied with a soiled pink ribbon that he had ripped from one of his ring costumes.
Phil saw the daisies, and, noting their significance, smiled approvingly.
”Teddy has a heart, after all,” was his mental comment.
Teddy Tucker proceeded to the flag-draped grave, gently placed his offering upon it, then turned away.
As he did so, he was observed to brush a hand across his eyes as if something there were blurring his sight.
CHAPTER IV
THEIR CURIOSITY AROUSED
”Phil, I have an idea that you are wondering where we are bound for?” said Mr. Sparling, with a merry twinkle in his eyes.
”I will confess that I have been somewhat curious,” smiled the boy. ”From the route I could not imagine where you were heading.”
”You are not the only one who has been guessing. Our rivals are positively nervous over the movements of this show. They think we are going to jump into the Mississippi River, or something of the sort--”
”Or float on it,” added Phil.
Mr. Sparling eyed him keenly.
They were in the owner's private tent, discussing the business of the show itself, as these two did every day of the season, for Mr. Sparling had come to place no little reliance on the judgment of his young Circus Boy.
”What made you say that, Phil?”
”I had no particular reason. Perhaps I thought I was saying something funny.”
”Nothing very funny about that,” answered the showman.
”I agree with you.”
”I thought perhaps you might ask me where we were routed for this season.”
”And I thought you would tell me when you wished me to know,”
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