"
"T-h-e," spelled Teddy.
"The," finished Phil.
"S-p-a-r-l-i-n-g, Sparling. C-o-m-b-i-n-e-d Shows. Well, what
do you think of _that?_"
"I hardly know what to think, yet," answered Phil Forrest.
"The Sparling Combined Shows. Do you mean to say--?"
"I haven't said a word," answered Mr. Sparling, with a merry
twinkle in his eyes. "I am waiting for you to say something."
"I--I am afraid I am too much astonished to say much. Do you
mean we are going to take to the river?"
"Exactly."
"With the show?"
"Yes."
"Hooray!"
"What's that?" demanded Teddy.
"Didn't you hear?"
"I heard, but I don't understand. What's it all about? What is
it about those yellow boats over there?"
"The Sparling Circus is going down the Mississippi," Mr. Sparling
informed him.
"On those things?"
"On those boats."
"Then I think I'll walk. You don't catch me riding on any
boat that has to have a wheel on behind to help push it along.
No, siree, not for mine!"
"But, Teddy, they are fine boats," said Phil.
"They are among the few typical Mississippi River steamers,"
broke in Mr.
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