Part 14 (1/2)
”Yes; Teddy found it in the hay behind the concert platform.”
The showman's eyes twinkled.
”What were you doing back there?”
”Looking for a place to take a catnap between acts.”
Mr. Sparling laughed heartily.
”There's only one Teddy in the whole wide world!”
”I hope not,” added the boy quickly.
”Where is the egg--what did you do with it?”
”Got it in my bag here, want to see it?”
He handed the egg to Mr. Sparling who turned it over, glancing at it curiously.
”Look out! You'll drop it!”
”And what are you going to do with it, may I ask?”
”Eat it.”
”What, eat up my property?”
”Eggs belongs to the finder, and--”
”You mean eggs _belong_ to the finder,” corrected Phil.
”Yes, I guess so. Any way, so you say it. I'm going to eat this egg, even if it does give me indigestion all the rest of my life.
How do you cook ostrich eggs?”
”I never cooked any, my boy. You will have to consult the cook on that point. Perhaps he may consent to cook it for you.”
”I'll give you a slice off the white when it's cooked.”
”Thank you. You are welcome to the whole egg. Better go up and locate yourselves, boys.”
”What number is our room, Mr. Sparling?” asked Phil.
”Number twenty-four, on the upper deck. I have given you a nice, roomy, light and airy cabin that I think will please you. It is one of the best on the s.h.i.+p and you should be very comfortable there.”
”I am sure we shall be, and thank you very much,” said Phil.
”Come along, Teddy.”
Together they made their way to the boat and through the crowded, bustling lower deck, where the big canvas-covered wagons were being warped into place, a sort of orderly confusion reigning over everything, the scene lighted by lanterns swinging from hooks all about the deck.