"Fellow with the red hair.I heard them call him Larry as I passed, or I might not have noticed him particularly.His hair is redder than Rod Palmer's.I should think it would set him on fire.""It certainly would seem so."
"Mister Larry has got something coming to him good and proper, and he's going to get it, you take my word for that."Phil laughed good naturedly.
"Please, now, Teddy, forget it.Don't go and get into any more mix- ups.You'll be sending yourself back home first thing you know.Then it will be a difficult matter to get into any other show if you are sent away from this one in disgrace.""Don't you worry about me.I'll take care of myself.I always do, don't I?""I'm afraid I can't agree to that," laughed Phil."I should say that quite the contrary is the case."Teddy fell suddenly silent as they walked on in the bright morning light, drinking in the balmy air in long-drawn breaths.Entering the paddock they turned sharply to the left and pushed their way through the canvas curtains into the dressing tent.
"Hurrah for the Circus Boys," shouted someone."Hello Samson, areyou the strong-armed man that held the tent up by your feet?""Strong-footed man, you mean," suggested another."A strong-armed man uses his arms not his feet.""Come over here and show yourself," shouted another voice.
Phil walked over and stood smilingly before them.Nothing seemed to disturb his persistent good nature.
"Huh, not so much! I guess they stretched that yarn," grunted a new performer.
"I guess not," interposed Mr.Miaco."I happened to see that stunt pulled off myself.It was the biggest thing I ever saw a man--let alone a boy--get away with." Then Mr.Miaco went over the scene with great detail, while Phil stole away to his own corner, where he busied himself bending over his trunk to hide his blushes.
But Teddy felt no such emotion.Almost as soon as he entered the dressing tent he began searching about for something.This he soon found.It was a pail, but he appeared to be in a hurry.Picking up the pail he ran with it to the water barrel, that always stands in the dressing tent, filled the pail and skulked out as if he did not desire to attract attention.