human
You never knew that I was a soldier, too, did you, Phil?
gpt
No, sir. Were you really?
human
Yes. I fought with the South. I was a drummer boy in a Georgia regiment, said the showman reminiscently.
gpt
Perhaps had I been older I might have done differently, but I loved my Sunny South and I love it now.
human
So do I,
gpt
But the war is over. It is the show business that concerns us most intimately at the present moment. I want to say that you are doing excellent work on the flying trapeze this season.
human
Thank you. I am doing my best.
gpt
You always do. Whatever you attempt you go at with all the force you possess, and that is no slight factor, either. I have been waiting to talk seriously with you for sometime. You have finished your studies, have you not?
human
Yes.
gpt
What are your plans for the future?
human
I have no immediate plans beyond continuing in the show business. I am trying to lay up some money so I can go into business some of these days.
gpt
What business?
human
Circus business, of course. It is the only business I know anything about, and I know very little about that, it seems to me.
gpt
Let me tell you something, Phil. Nine-tenths of the men who have been in it nearly all their lives know no more about the circus business than you do. Many of them not so much. You are a born showman. Take my word for it, you have a very brilliant career before you. You spoke, sometime ago, about wishing to go to college.
human
I should like to go.
gpt
Under the circumstances I would advise against it, though I am a thorough believer in the value of an education. You have a good start now. Were you to go to college you would spend four years there and when you finished, you would find that the show world had been moving right along just the same. You would be out of it, so to speak. You would have been standing still so far as the circus was concerned, for four full years. Think it over and some of these days we will have another talk.
human
What would you advise, Mr. Sparling?
gpt
I don't advise. I am simply pointing out the facts for you to consider, that's all.
human
I thank you, Mr. Sparling. I already owe you a debt of gratitude. I shall never forget all you have done for Teddy and myself, and I am sure Teddy also appreciates it.
gpt
You owe me nothing.
human
Oh, yes, I do! I shall never be able wholly to pay the debt, either.
gpt
We will drop that side of the case, my boy. You will want to pack all your things for moving tonight.
human
You mean my dressing-room trunk?
gpt
I mean all your belongings.
human
I have special reference to your stuff in the sleeper.
gpt
May I ask why, Mr. Sparling.
human
Because tonight will be the last night you will spend on the sleeping car for sometime, in all probability.
gpt
I don't understand. Am I to leave the show?
human
Leave the show?
gpt
Yes, sir.
human
I should say not. You leave the show? I would rather lose any ten men in it than to have you go away. I trust you never will leave it for any length of time--at least not while I am in the business. No, you are going on a little trip--the show is going on a little trip. That is the surprise I have in store for you. You will know tomorrow morning. Not another word now, Phil Forrest. Run along and get ready for the performance.