Phil then related to Mr.Sparling the incident of the dressing tent, when Teddy gathered the daisies to place on the "grave" in memory of Mrs.Waite's soldier dead, to all of which the showman listened with thoughtful face.Mr.Sparling rose, walked to the door of the tent, then returned and sat down.
"You never knew that I was a soldier, too, did you, Phil?" "No, sir.Were you really?""Yes.I fought with the South.I was a drummer boy in a Georgia regiment," said the showman reminiscently."Perhaps had I been older I might have done differently, but I loved my Sunny South and I love it now.""So do I," added Phil Forrest fervently.
"But the war is over.It is the show business that concerns us most intimately at the present moment.I want to say that you are doing excellent work on the flying trapeze this season.""Thank you.I am doing my best."
"You always do.Whatever you attempt you go at with all the force you possess, and that is no slight factor, either.I have been waiting to talk seriously with you for sometime.You have finished your studies, have you not?""Yes."
"What are your plans for the future?"
"I have no immediate plans beyond continuing in theshow business.I am trying to lay up some money so I can go into business some ofthese days."
"What business?"
"Circus business, of course.It is the only business I know anything about, and I know very little about that, it seems to me.""Let me tell you something, Phil.Nine-tenths of the men who have been in it nearly all their lives know no more about the circus business than you do.Many of them not so much.You are a born showman.Take my word for it, you have a very brilliant career before you.You spoke, sometime ago, about wishing to go to college.""I should like to go."
"Under the circumstances I would advise against it, though I am a thorough believer in the value of an education.You have a good start now.Were you to go to college you would spend four years there and when you finished, you would find that the show world had been moving right along just the same.You would be out of it, so to speak.You would have been standing still so far as the circus was concerned, for four full years.Think it over and some of these days we will have another talk.""What would you advise, Mr.Sparling?"
"I don't advise.I am simply pointing out the facts for you to consider, that's all.""I thank you, Mr.Sparling.I already owe you a debt of gratitude.I shall never forget all you have done for Teddy and myself, and I am sure Teddy also appreciates it.""You owe me nothing."
"Oh, yes, I do!I shall never be able wholly to pay the debt, either." "We will drop that side of the case, my boy.You will want to pack allyour things for moving tonight."
"You mean my dressing-room trunk?" "I mean all your belongings."Phil looked his surprise.
"I have special reference to your stuff in the sleeper." "May I ask why, Mr.Sparling.""Because tonight will be the last night you will spend on the sleepingcar for sometime, in all probability."
"I don't understand.Am I to leave the show?" "Leave the show?""Yes, sir."
"I should say not.You leave the show? I would rather lose any ten men in it than to have you go away.I trust you never will leave it for any length of time--at least not while I am in the business.No, you are going on a little trip--the show is going on a little trip.That is the surprise I have in store for you.You will know tomorrow morning.Not another word now, Phil Forrest.Run along and get ready for the performance."The Circus Boy hurried over to the dressing tent, full of curiosity and anticipation of what awaited him on the morrow.Strange to say, Phil had not the least idea what the plan of the owner of the show might be.
The surprise was to be a complete one.
