A semicircle of seats, in two tiers, had been made of boards nailed to boxes, somewhat insecurely, it seemed to the ladies as they climbed upon them. “I can’t tell which is more amusing,” said the professor’s wife to Miss Randolph, “audience or performers.” She waved her hand as she spoke at a row of supposed small boys on the front circle. They sat with open mouths, or passed sacks of peanuts and popcorn to each other. “The girls are pretty good at this,” replied the principal. “Those two clowns coming out are Collegiate Seniors, Maxine Burton and Gertrude Mather.” “Now, Titus,” said clown number one pompously, as he placed his hand upon a large wooden box in the center of the sawdust ring, “do you see this incubator?” “Yes, suh,” replied clown number two, hideous with red and white paint and a clown’s suit much beruffled and gathered. “And the egg that I now put in?” “Yes, suh.” “In exactly two minutes after I turn the crank, the whole process is complete and the chicken will appear. This incubator is the greatest invention of the age,—by Thomas Edison, ladies and gentlemen!” Faint jeers and one quickly suppressed call of “chestnuts” came from the front row; but the ringmaster started in the direction of the “small boys” and the disturbance subsided. “Br-rr-rr! Br-rr-rr!” “Now I open the door, like this,—” “Oooh-oo-ooh-oo-_ooh_-oo-oo!” With a great flapping and crowing, an immense rooster of decidedly human characteristics hopped out and flopped around amid loud manufactured applause, while clown number two pretended to faint and was carted off by two circus hands on one of the trucks used by the janitor for trunks. A few more rather silly imitations of circus jokes followed, for busy girls could not be expected to be too original; then the elephants were announced, by the ringmaster, who wore a black velvet riding suit. This elegant gentleman cracked a whip and strode around in true histrionic style. “Any little boy or girl who wants to may now have a ride on the elephant. These are the most docile elephants in captivity!” In came the elephants, led by a deeply dyed native clad in a silk turban and a flowing kimono appropriately draped. They came slowly by necessity. (“Now, when I step with my right foot, you step with your left, and then it will look natural.” Thus spoke the first section of elephant. “Well, how can I do it? It joggles so!” returned rear section.) “Now, what little boy will come first?” asked the ringmaster in honeyed tones. One of the fattest little boys in the front row came ambling shyly out, his fingers in his mouth. “That’s nice, Johnny; which elephant do you want to ride on?”