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Chapter XVI
At The Circus
The next morning the Maynard family visited Yale College.
As Mrs. Maynard had seen most of the buildings before, she only cared to visit the newest ones, and so she and Rosy Posy spent most of the time wandering about the grounds or sitting on the benches beneath the Elms. Marjorie and Kitty rambled about as they liked, sometimes going through the buildings with their father and King, and sometimes staying with Mrs. Maynard and the baby.
At luncheon time, Mr. Maynard asked the children what they would like best to do for an afternoon's amusement.
"Aren't we going on to Boston this afternoon?" asked Marjorie, in surprise.
"No," said her father, "it's a long trip, and so we'll start to-morrow morning. Now you children may choose what you'd like to do this afternoon, for your mother and I are going to call on some friends, and we don't want to take you with us."
"Well," said Marjorie, "I can't think of anything we could do in New Haven, unless you or Mother were with us; so I suppose we'll just stay here at the hotel, and, -- "
"And cut up jinks," put in King.
Mr. Maynard smiled. "That's exactly what you would do if I left you here by yourselves! So what do you think of this plan? As we shall be gone all the afternoon, I think I will let Pompton take you four infants to the circus."
"Oh, goody, goody!" cried Marjorie. "That will be perfectly gorgeous! King, won't it be fine to go to the circus?"
"Yes, indeed! And it's a big circus, -- I saw the posters yesterday on our way here."
"There are lovely wild animals!" said Kitty, ecstatically. "I saw pictures of lions and tigers, -- terrific ones!"
"Me loves tigers," commented Rosy Posy. "They eat peoples all up!"
"These don't," said Kitty. "They're trained ones, and they do tricks. Why, the man who trains them puts his hand right in their mouths!"
"Ugh!" said Marjorie, with a shudder. "I don't like that part of it. I wish they didn't have the wild beasts. I like the people who swing on a long swing, -- "
"Trapeze," said her father.
"Yes, a trapeze; and they swing and catch each other by the feet. Oh, I love to see them!"
"So do I," said Kitty. "I love it all, -- but I love the tigers best."
"You must promise to behave yourselves," said Mrs. Maynard. "Marjorie, I shall put the baby in your especial care, though of course Pompton will look out for you all. And you must all obey him, and do exactly as he tells you."
"There isn't much obeying to do," said King. "We just sit on seats and watch the show, don't we?"
"Oh, we walk around and see the side-shows," said Marjorie.
"Whatever you do," said Mr. Maynard, "stay with Pompton, and do just as he tells you. He is a very intelligent man, and he will take care of you all right, and you must be kind and polite to him. Now scamper along and get ready."
The children were soon ready, and went gaily off with Pompton, waving good-byes to their parents, who stood on the hotel veranda.
They did not go in their own automobile, but in a trolley-car, and the four children seated themselves demurely, side by side, with Pompton at the end, next to Rosy Posy.
The ride was through a pleasant part of town, and on to the outskirts, where they soon came in sight of the circus tents.
Pompton ushered his charges through the entrance, and they found themselves in what seemed like a wilderness of tents, both large and small. As it was not yet time for the performance, they walked round, visiting the side-shows, and looking at the collection of "freaks," which is considered an important part of every circus.
"Mayn't we have some popcorn, Pomp?" asked Marjorie, as they passed a stand where that delectable refreshment was sold.
"Your ma said you were to have that after the show, Miss Marjorie. At least, that's how I understood it." Pompton always took the children's requests very seriously, and only granted them when he could do so conscientiously.
"Oh, she wouldn't care, whether we had it before or after," said King; "but I'll tell you what, Pomp, let's have half now and half after the show."
"Very well, Master King. I don't suppose it does make any great matter. Will you have pink or white?"
"Both," said Kitty, who was authority on these matters; "and then we'll have pink lemonade."
"But you've just had your luncheon, Miss Kitty."
"That doesn't matter; this is a sort of dessert. And of course if we have popcorn, we must have lemonade. Popcorn is so choky."
So the children had their refreshment, and then it was time to go to see the performance.
Pompton took Rosy Posy in his arms, and the others following, they went into the big tent and were ushered to their places.
Mr. Maynard had told Pompton to take a box, as in the small enclosure it was easier to keep an eye on the children, and make sure they did nothing they ought not to. For the little Maynards were impulsive, and though Pompton was wise and sensible, he was not entirely accustomed to their mischievous ways.
"Isn't this fun!" exclaimed Marjorie, as the usher showed them the small wooden enclosure with six hard chairs in it.
"Perfectly splendid!" agreed Kitty. "And we can have this extra chair for our wraps and things."
So with great content they settled in their places to watch the circus.
It began, as circuses usually do, with the chariot races, and these were Marjorie's especial delight. She had been to the circus several times, and she always enjoyed the classic-looking ladies who drove tumultuous horses, while they stood in gorgeously painted but very rattle-te-bang chariots.
"I should think they'd fall out behind," commented Kitty.
"They would if the horses stopped suddenly," said King.
"No, they wouldn't," said Marjorie. "If the horses stopped, they'd pitch over the dashboard; but the horses aren't going to stop! Oh, there comes the blue one again! Isn't she a dandy? King, I'd love to drive one of those chariots!"
"Don't you try it on now. Miss Marjorie," said Pompton, on hearing this speech.
"Of course, I won't, Pomp," said Marjorie, laughing. "I only said I'd like to. Oh, now that's all over, and they're going to have the ladies and gentlemen who ride tip-toe on their horses. I think I like that next best to the trapeze people."
"I like it all," said contented little Kitty, whose nature it was to take things as they came.
Fascinated, they all watched the bare-back riding, and after that the acrobats, and then the trapeze performers.