"Will you make me drag you along by the hair of your head? Of
course, it'd be in the picture right enough, but I rather want
two hands for this infernal booth. However, let me once get a
good grip on that soft pigtail- "

"What- again?"

"Ah, that was in love, Judy."

The next second she had joined me on the white highway, the
faithful Toby a short pace behind her. His not to reason why.
A good fellow, Toby.

It was rather a nervous moment. But, in spite of an approaching
wagonette, she walked bravely beside me with the puppet-box
under her arm. The occupants of the vehicle began to evince
great curiosity as we drew nearer, but their mare caught sight of
my nose at the critical moment and provided an opportune
diversion.

"So perish all our enemies!" she said with a sigh of relief.

"Stage-fright, Judy, dear. You'll be all right in a minute.
We're bound to excite interest. It's what we're for and what
we want. I'll keep it going. Give me your wootler."

She handed me the reed, and I held it ready between my lips.

"Buck up, lass!"