They did n't walk straight in. They hung about for
a while. Then Anderson sidled up to Dad and talked into his ear. "Oh!
that's all right," Dad said, and passed them all in without taking any
money.
Next came the Maloneys, and, as Paddy belonged to the circus, they also
walked in without paying, and secured front seats.
Then Jim Brown and Sam Holmes, and Walter Nutt, and Steve Burton, and
eight others strolled along. Dad owed all of them money for binding,
which they happened to remember. "In yous go," Dad said, and in the lot
went. The tent filled quickly, and the crowd awaited the opening act.
Paddy Maloney came forward with his hair oiled and combed, and rang the
cow-bell.
Dave, bare-footed and bare-headed, in snow-white moles and red shirt,
entered standing majestically upon old Ned's back. He got a great
reception. But Ned was tired and refused to canter. He jogged lazily
round the ring. Dave shouted at him and rocked about. He was very
unsteady. Paddy Maloney flogged Ned with the leg-rope. But Ned had been
flogged often before. He got slower and slower. Suddenly, he stood and
cocked his tail, and to prevent himself falling, Dave jumped off.
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