G.P.Huntley, that it went so well with the nose.

In short, I played the mountebank to a degree that astonished myself,
but apparently to some purpose, for the money came in properly.

The performances went with a bang, and when, at the conclusion of the
playlet, I lifted Judy to the rickety shelf, so that her head and
shoulders were framed in the mouth of the booth, it was the signal for
a burst of applause.

On one of these occasions:

"It's not fair that I should take every call," she said, looking down
at my upturned face.

"My dear Judy, I have my reward."

"What?"

"Don't I lift you up every time?"

She laughed pleasedly.

"Gallant Punch, you're easily satisfied."

"Am I, Judy--am I?" I said gently, taking her hand.

"Yes," she said, snatching it away. "You are and will be. Go out and
get the money."

I adjusted my nose thoughtfully. Daphne was, of course, in great
evidence. Anxious to run no unnecessary risk, I avoided her when
possible, and when I did find myself in her proximity, I at once
indulged in some of my more extravagant behaviour.

"Where's your brother?" I heard a worker say.

"Brother!" said Daphne bitterly. "Coward! And I really thought we
should have him this time. Fled to London before we were up this
morning, thank you. From the amount of food he took with him, and the
way he took it, anyone would have thought he was an escaped convict.
Guilty conscience, I suppose. One hears a good deal about record
flights nowadays, but I'd back my miserable brother against any
aviator. My husband's promised to look in about five, if he's back
from Huntercombe. That's something. But they're a wretched lot. Oh,
here's one of the Pierrots!"

I hung the pail on my nose and looked at her.

"As one of the organizers of the fete," she said hastily, "I must thank
you--"

"Nothing doing, madam," said I, in an assumed voice.

"But"

"Free list entirely suspended, madam," and I shook the pail mercilessly.

A small and grinning crowd had begun to collect, so Daphne parted up
with a forced smile, and I went off chuckling to queer the animals'
race.

Our penultimate performance was over, and I was in the midst of my
vagaries again, when I saw Berry. Unanxious to tempt Providence, I
retired precipitately to the shelter of the booth. My companion was
sitting disconsolately upon the box on which she stood to work her
puppets.

"Is it time for the next show?" she said.

"Not for a