crowd.




CHAPTER XIII

"--AND ELEPHANTS TO RIDE UPON"


Jerry's new-found mother went quickly to Mother 'Larkey and placed a
comforting arm about her shoulder.

"_I_ am Mrs. Bowe, Gary's mother," she said, "and oh, how can I ever
thank you for loving him and giving him a home? I never can repay you."

"That we can't, Mrs. Mullarkey," Whiteface interposed. "But what is this
about taking Gary away? And Celia Jane?"

"Let's go into the house first," suggested Mrs. Bowe. "We have too big
an audience here."

She led the way, her arm still about Mrs. Mullarkey's shoulder. Jerry
and his father followed, though Jerry turned at the door to have another
look at Sultana and the admiring throng of children gathered about her.

Nora and Celia Jane, who had lapsed into tongue-tiedness after learning
that they were all going to see the circus that night, now started
slowly into the house, Kathleen clinging to Nora's hand to keep from
falling. But their eyes were turned back towards Sultana until they