“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.