I cannot, my child."
David stood before her the next instant, his face writhing with fury,
his hands clenched.
"Is--is there anything I can do, Mrs. Braddock? Tell me! Can I do
anything for you?" he cried.
She stared for a moment, as if bewildered. Then her face lightened.
The tears sprang afresh to her eyes.
"No, David," she said gently. "There is nothing you can do."
"But if there should be anything I can do--" he went on imploringly.
She shook her head and smiled.
As soon as he could change his clothes David hurried out to the
menagerie tent. For many minutes he stood before the cage containing
the African gazelle, fascinated by the nose and eyes of the lachrymose
beast. He stared for a long time before becoming aware that the animal
was looking at him just as intently from the other side of the bars.
It was as if the creature with the broad white muzzle and limpid eyes
was studying him with all the intentness of a human being. An uncanny
feeling took possession of the boy. He laughed nervously, half
expecting the solemn starer to smile in return--with the smile of
Colonel Grand.
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