They'll 'ave to make it absolutely impossible for her to stay
afore she'll knuckle to 'em. She's got pluck, Mary Braddock 'as. I
know positive she 'as more 'n twenty thousand in this show. She put
most of it in a couple of years ago when Brad swung over the deal with
Van Slye. Since then she's put the rest in to save the shebang. I say,
Jacky, I observed you a-talking to _him_. Wot is he going to do with
you? Give you the bounce?"
"No," said David, clenching his hands. Then he repeated all that had
taken place in the menagerie tent.
"I will not sit at table with that beast," he exclaimed in conclusion.
Joey led him off to a less conspicuous part of the tent. He appeared
to be turning something over in his mind as they walked along.
"Jacky, I know it goes 'ard with a gentleman like you to sit down with
a rascal like 'im, but I fancy you'll 'ave to lump your pride and do
wot he arsks."
"I'm--I'm hanged if I do!" cried the other.
"Well, now, just look at it from another point," said Joey earnestly.
"You can't afford to oppose 'im right now. Besides, there's others as
needs you. There's got to be some one in the party to look out for
Mrs.
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