"Do you know you _is_ a humbug?" she said. "You know perfect well why you is using that. You want to hide us, that's why. What a silly old Aunt Sawah you is!" Before Aunt Sarah could make a suitable reply, the loud voice of Uncle Ben was heard in the distance. "Come, Sarah," he called, "bring those kids along. I can't be kept waiting another minute." "Now then, dears," said Aunt Sarah, "I'll take you to the circus." "The circus!" cried Diana. "Is we going to a circus? I love 'em!" "Well, my dear, you are not only going to _see_ a circus, but you are going soon to be part of a circus. Uncle Ben owns one; it's a sort of traveling circus. He takes it about with him from one part of the country to another. You'll be part of the circus in the future, little miss." "And may I wide horses?" asked Diana. "Surely, my dear, and perhaps other animals as well. Oh, never fear! you'll be taught all kinds of queer things. You'll have quite a nice time if you keep on the buttered side of Uncle Ben." "The buttered side! That must be g'easy," said Diana. "Well, you keep on it, miss. If he's kind to you, why, all will be right, and, for my part, I'll see you want for nothing." "I do believe," said Diana, her eyes sparkling; she turned as she spoke and clasped one of Orion's hands--"I do weally b'lieve this is better nor aunt's. Do come 'long, Orion; I always did love circuses." Aunt Sarah led the children down a long, narrow passage, and then across an open court, until presently they found themselves inside the entrance of a huge circular tent. Here seats were arranged for a crowd of people, all of which were, of course, empty at present; but the whole of the center of the tent was occupied by a wide arena covered with sand. In the middle of this space stood Uncle Ben. He had a big whip in his hand, and looked very fierce and terrible. "There you are at last, Sarah!" he called out. "Oh, and there are the kids!" He stepped forward as he spoke. "Now, little missy," he said, looking full at Diana, "what would you say if I was to put you on top of a horse's back? You wouldn't be frightened, would you?" "No," replied Diana. "I don't believe you would. I believe you are a plucky little girl. Well, I'd just as lief give you a lesson straight away, for you'll have to take your part in the show in a week from now. We'll let her ride round the arena on Greased Lightning; eh, Sarah?" "Oh, I wouldn't! Not on that 'orse," said the woman. She clasped her hands imploringly together. "Remember, Ben," she continued, speaking in a timorous voice, and her color coming and going, "remember that Greased Lightning is a very wicious sort of 'orse, and this is only a little child. Has you ever been on a 'orse's back afore, little love?"