human
Have you had any trouble with Diaz, Teddy?
gpt
Who's he?
human
The new Spanish clown.
gpt
Oh!
human
What about him, Phil?
gpt
That is what I am asking you. Have you had any misunderstanding--angry words or anything of the sort with him?
human
Well, maybe, admitted the Circus Boy, with evident reluctance.
gpt
What made you think I had?
human
From the way he looked at you when you were standing in the paddock this afternoon, waiting for your cue to go on.
gpt
Huh! How did he look at me?
human
As if he had a grudge against you. There was an expression in his eyes that said more plainly than words, 'I'll get even with you yet, young man, you see if I do not.'
gpt
Wonderful!
human
What do you mean?
gpt
You must be a mind reader, Phil Forrest, grumbled Teddy, digging his heel into the soft turf of the circus lot.
human
Can you read my mind? If you can, what am I thinking about now?
gpt
You are thinking, answered Phil slowly,
human
You ought to go into the business.
gpt
What business?
human
Reading people's minds, at so much per read.
gpt
Thank you.
human
I wish you'd read the mind of that donkey of mine, and find out what he's got up his sleeve, or rather his hoofs, for me this evening.
gpt
Do you know of what else you are thinking?
human
Of course I do. Think I don't know what I am thinking about? Well! What am I thinking about?
gpt
At the present moment you are thinking that you will do to Diaz what he hopes to do to you some of these days--get even with him for some fancied wrong. Am I right?
human
I'll hand him a good stiff punch, one of these fine spring mornings, that's what I'll do,
gpt
Teddy Tucker, listen to me!
human
I'm listening.
gpt
You will do nothing of the sort.
human
I won't?
gpt
No.
human
You just wait and see.
gpt
Since we started out on our fourth season with the Sparling Combined Shows this spring, you have behaved yourself remarkably well. I know it must have pained you to do so. I give you full credit, but don't spoil it all now, please.
human
Spoil it?
gpt
Yes. You must remember that this is now a Big show--larger this season than ever before, and you must not expect Mr. Sparling to excuse your shortcomings as he did in the old days.
human
I'm not afraid of Boss Sparling.
gpt
You have no occasion to be, as long as you do your duty and attend to business. We owe him a heavy debt of gratitude, both of us. You know that, don't you, Teddy?
human
I--I guess so.
gpt
What is the trouble between you and Diaz?
human
Well, drawled Teddy,
gpt
Yes.
human
Throwing those peaked hats clear across the arena and catching the hats on their heads, just like a couple of monkeys.
gpt
I didn't know monkeys ever did that,
human
Well, maybe they don't. The trained seals do, anyhow.
gpt
They--the Spaniards--were doing that the other day when I was going out after my clown act. I had picked up the ringmaster's whip, and as one of the hats went sailing over my head I just took a shot at it.
human
Took a shot at it?
gpt
Yes. I fired at it on the wing, as it were. Don't you understand?
human
I hit it a crack with the ringmaster's whip and I hit the mark the first shot. Down came the hat and it caught me on the nose.
gpt
Then what did you do?
human
Knocked it on the ground, then kicked it out of the ring,
gpt
Of course you spoiled their act,
human
I--I guess I did.
gpt
That was an ungentlemanly thing to do, to say the least. It is lucky for you that Mr. Sparling did not happen to see you. Do you know what would have happened to you if he had?
human
He would have fined me, I suppose.
gpt
No. You would have closed right there. He would have had you sent back home by the first train if he had seen you do a thing like that.
human
I don't care. I can get a job with the Yankee Robinson show any time, now.
gpt
Not if you were to be discharged from this outfit for bad conduct. I don't wonder Diaz is angry. Did he say anything to you at the time?
human
What did he say?
gpt
I didn't understand all he said. Some of it was in Spanish, but what I did understand was enough,
human
Strong language, eh?
gpt
Phil, he can beat the boss canvasman in that line.
human
I am surprised, Teddy Tucker.
gpt
So was I.
human
I don't mean that. I am surprised that you should so far forget yourself as to do such a thing. I don't blame Diaz for being angry, and I warn you that you had better look out for him. Some of those foreigners have very violent tempers.
gpt
Well, he didn't tell the boss, at any rate.
human
No. Perhaps in the long run it might have been better for you if he had. Diaz is awaiting his opportunity to get even with you in his own way. Look out for him, Teddy.
gpt
He had better look out for me.
human
Don't irritate him. Were I in your place I should go to the clown and apologize. Tell him it was a thoughtless act on your part and that you are sorry you did it--
gpt
I won't.
human
As you please, but that is what I would do.
gpt
You--you would do that?
human
I certainly would.
gpt
And let him give you the laugh?
human
That would make no difference to me. I should be doing what is right, and that would be satisfaction enough, no matter what he said or did after that.
gpt
Well, maybe that would be a good idea. And if he won't accept my apology, what then--shall I hand him a--
human
Smile and leave him. You will have done the best you could to make amends.
gpt
All right, I'll apologize, nodded the Circus Boy.
human
I'll shed a tear or two to show him how sorry I am. Want to see me do it?
gpt
I should say not. You will do it better provided I am not looking on, but for goodness' sake don't make a mess of the whole business. It would be too bad to make an enemy of one of your associates so early in the season. Think how uncomfortable it would be for you all through the summer. He has not been with us long enough to become used to your practical jokes. Perhaps after he gets better acquainted with you, he may not mind your peculiar ways so much, added Phil, with a short laugh.
human
Now run along and be good.