"I--I hope you understand--hope you do not feel offended," said Phil hesitatingly."I should not like to have you misunderstand me.""Not a bit of it, my lad.I can't say that I have any higher opinion of you because of your decision, but--"Phil glanced up quickly.
"I already have as high an opinion of you as it is possible for me to have for any human being, and--""Thank you.You'll make me have a swelled head if you keep on that way," laughed Phil.
"No danger.You would have had one long ago, if that was your makeup.Have you seen Mrs.Sparling yet?""No, and I should like to.May I call on her in your car?""Not only may, but she has commissioned me to ask you to.I think we had better be moving over to the cook tent, now, if we wish any breakfast.I expect the hungry roustabouts have about cleaned the place out by this time."They soon arrived at the cook tent.Here Phil left Mr.Sparling while he passed about among the tables, greeting such of his old acquaintances as he had not yet seen that morning.He was introduced to many of the new ones, all of whom had heard pretty much everything about Phil's past achievements before he reached their tables.The people of a circus are much like a big family, and everyone knows, or thinks he knows, the whole family history of his associates.
Even Phil's plucky work in the big top, less than an hour before, hadalready traveled to the cook tent, and many curious glances were directed to the slim, modest, boy as he passed among his friends quietly, giving them his greetings.
Teddy, on the other hand, was not saying a word.He was busy eating.
"How's your appetite this morning, Teddy?" questioned Phil, sinking down on the bench beside his companion.
"Pretty fair," answered Teddy in a muffled voice."I began at the top--"
"Top of what?"