'Oh, that may take care of itself!' said her husband scornfully, as he
lighted his pipe at the stove; and, wishing his wife a pleasant journey, he
went down the steps of the caravan and closed the door.

The poor wife turned over on her pillow and wept. She had made a very great
effort in speaking to her husband, and it had been of no avail. She was so
spent and exhausted that, had it not been for Mother Manikin's beef-tea,
which Rosalie gave her as soon as she came in, she must have fainted from
very weariness.

A few minutes afterwards the waggons rumbled past, the theatre party set
off on their journey, and Rosalie and her mother were left alone.




CHAPTER X

BRITANNIA

All day long the packing up went on, and one by one the shows moved off,
and the market-place became more empty.

In the afternoon Toby came to the caravan to inform Rosalie that the 'Royal
Show of Dwarfs' was just going to start, and Mother Manikin wanted to say
good-bye to her.

'Mind you thank her, Rosalie,' said the sick woman, 'and give her my love.'