“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.

“Wow! but they’re wonders!” exclaimed King, as the trapezists swayed through the air, and caught flying rings or swings, and seemed every time to escape missing them only by a hairs-breadth.  But they always caught them, and swung smilingly back, as if living up in the air were quite as pleasant as walking about on the ground.