"
"First of all, Joey," said David, his face aglow with the fervor that
was crowding up from the depths of his grateful soul, "I want to say
to you and to all of you, that if I live to be a thousand years old I
shall never forget how good and how kind you have been to me. 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.
"My career as a clown in Van Slye's show ended when that blow was
struck. You know quite well that I could not have stayed after that,
even though other conditions were unchanged. I cannot eat of that
man's bread; I cannot serve him. I have no trunk to pack, you know.
Just that old satchel of Joey's, in which my linen is carried. So I am
walking out of this tent now, free in more ways than one. When I come
again I shall pay my way at the main entrance.
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