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Updated: May 22, 2025
Somehow, as he stared, this conglomerate mass of unfamiliar things seemed to creep away into the black shadows he had not perceived before; the drab dome of the tent began to swirl above his head, like a merry-go-round; the lights danced and then went out. Grinaldi, the clown, caught him in his arms as he slipped forward in a dead faint.
That's why I'm going to turn him over, if you want to know." "But he ain't guilty," said Grinaldi sharply. "How do you know?" snarled Braddock. "Go and do what I told you," to the wavering attendant. Mrs. Braddock and Christine were standing beside the dejected boy, the former looking steadily at the face of her husband, whose bloodshot eyes would not meet her gaze.
He almost longed to be out there now, in the thick of it, with good old Joey Grinaldi at his side, dodging the ringmaster's lash and grinning at the jokes of the veteran. The girl came straight up to him, her anxious gaze sweeping the interior. She was about to speak to him, but changed her mind and hurried on to her dressing-room. An instant later she was back, greatly agitated.
Before starting off to join his daughter, Grinaldi looked again through the hole in the canvas, muttering a dejected oath. Ruby Noakes, very pretty and quite demure in a simple frock of brown, without the prevailing bustle and paniers, was directing the contortionist in his efforts to construct a table out of three "blue seats" and a couple of property trunks, or "keesters," as they were called.
He had opened his lips to protest. "There isn't a soul in all this company, from feed-boy to proprietor, who will betray you to the officers of the law. We stand together the innocent and the guilty. If you are vouched for by Joey Grinaldi and me, or by any other in our little universe, that is the end of it.
The burly, rough-looking young man came up at once, respectful to a degree. "Go out in front and tell Mr. Braddock to hurry back here as soon as he is through with the tickets!" The man slid out between the flapping walls. "Now, Grinaldi, you must make it your business to tell every one who this boy is, and what must be done for him. Don't be alarmed, David Jenison," she said with a smile.
"Good-by, David," whispered Christine, as she flew to the sidewall. An instant later she disappeared, casting a quick glance up into his face as he gallantly lifted the canvas for her to pass under. "I'm sorry," he murmured impulsively to Mrs. Braddock as she followed. Then he raced around the tent and bolted under the wall into the men's section. Joey Grinaldi simply glared at him.
There was a long, somewhat painful silence. "I think it's started to sprinkle again," ventured the contortionist, looking at the top with uneasy eyes. "Yes," she said appreciatively, "it means another wretched night for us." She toyed with the tin-cup with nervous fingers for a moment and then turned to the expectant Grinaldi. "We have been obliged to borrow more money, Joey."
My home will always be yours, my friends, just as your home has been mine. Jenison Hall will bid you welcome, come what may. You will find Joey Grinaldi there. My home is his, when he chooses to forsake the ring. And Ruby's, too. God bless and reward all of you!" "When are you going to leave us, David?" asked one of the women. David put his finger to the bruised spot on his cheek.
David felt that the Colonel was looking at him, notwithstanding the fact that they seemed to be engaged in a close inspection of the cages. "I am a beginner. Joey Grinaldi is training me." Thomas Braddock was watching them from beyond the camel pen. "It may interest you to know that I am accustomed to civility in all people employed by this show," said Colonel Grand levelly.
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