"
But when aunt Corinne had reached the interior of the tent, she
turned like a flash, clutched Robert Day, and hid her eyes against
him. A number of people standing, or seated on benches, were watching
the performances on a platform at one end of the tent.
"He won't hurt you," whispered Robert.
"Go 'way!" whispered aunt Corinne, trembling as if she would drive
the mere image from her thoughts.
"It's the very thing I saw at the camp," whispered Robert.
"Le's go out again."
"I want my money's worth," remonstrated Robert in an injured tone.
"And now he's pickin' up his things and going behind a curtain. Ain't
he ugly! I wonder how it feels to look that way? Why don't you stand
up straight and act right! Folks'll notice you. I thought you wanted
to see him so bad!"
"I got enough," responded aunt Corinne. "But there comes the little
girl. And it's the little girl I saw in the wagon. Ain't she pretty!"
[Illustration]
"She ain't got a pig's head, has she?" demanded aunt Corinne.
"She's the prettiest little girl I ever saw," responded Robert
impatiently. "I guess if she sees you she'll think, you're sheep-headed.
You catch me spendin' gold dollars to take you to shows any more!"
The shrill treble of a little child began a ballad at that time very
popular, and called "Lilly Dale.
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