silent, averted, neutral, a little on his dignity. Miss Stokes was
off-hand and masterful. Albert was full of mischief.

The great theme was a circus, which was coming to the market town on the
following Saturday.

'You'll go to the circus, Miss Stokes?' said Albert.

'I may go. Are you going?'

'Certainly. Give us the pleasure of escorting you.'

'No, thanks.'

'That's what I call a flat refusal--what, Joe? You don't mean that you
have no liking for our company, Miss Stokes?'

'Oh, I don't know,' said Miss Stokes. 'How many are there of you?'

'Only me and Joe.'

'Oh, is that all?' she said, satirically.

Albert was a little nonplussed.

'Isn't that enough for you?' he asked.

'Too many by half,' blurted out Joe, jeeringly, in a sudden fit of
uncouth rudeness that made both the others stare.