it just wouldn't come and finally he gave up trying. After playing with
Kathleen until Mother 'Larkey put her in the crib for her afternoon nap,
he wandered out towards the woodshed from behind which he heard the
voices of Danny and Celia Jane.

On the way an idea popped all of a sudden into his mind. The dazzling
splendor of it first brought him to a dead halt and then set him running
breathlessly to join the Mullarkey children. He found them all gathered
about Danny, hungrily watching him eat a green apple.

"Couldn't we play circus!" he exclaimed, in eager excitement at the idea
that had come to him.

"We could if we wanted to," replied Danny, in that superior,
ardor-dampening way of his.

Jerry felt his enthusiasm for the idea oozing out of his bare toes.
"I--Don't we want to, Danny?"

"Oh, yes, let's!" cried Nora eagerly. "I'm tired of ante-over and
run-sheep-run and pump-pump-pull-away--"

"And hidin'-go-seek and tree-tag," interrupted Celia Jane. She turned to
Jerry. "How do you play circus?"

"You just--just _play_ it," he answered. "'Maginary you're an el'funt
jumpin' a fence and all."

"I'll be the el'funt!" cried Danny.