"Mercy gracious!" breathed Miss Theodosia. They were different mercy graciouses. But a miracle was on the way to her, coming straight and fast through the crowds of festive circus-goers. Very soon now--in an hour--in another moment--It arrived! Miss Theodosia felt herself yielding to the lure of the sawdust and the side shows--the pink lemonade and the balloons. She was entering in! She was not Miss Theodosia who detested crowds; in the tight grip of the miracle, she was Miss Theodosia who thrilled and enjoyed. "Isn't it elegant? Oh, aren't you happy!" cried Evangeline. "Aren't I!" gallant Miss Theodosia responded. She caught Evangeline's sleeve. "What is that man shouting about--there, in front of that big tent?" "Oh, I don't know, but it's somethin' splendid. I know it's somethin' splendid! I'll go 'n' see." "I'll go with you. Stefana, stay with the rest of the children. We'll be right back." Miss Theodosia laughed as she and Evangeline went, hand in hand. In a moment they were back for the rest. It was "somethin' splendid"--come! come! They drank pink lemonade and ate ice-cream cones. Elly Precious and Carruthers waved gay balloons. Evangeline chose a cane. "I need one. I'm so happy I tumble over! I never was so happy 'xcept when Elly Precious stopped havin' the measles. That was as splendid as this, but it wasn't as _splendid_ splendid. Miss Theodosia, don't you feel all beautiful and jiggy inside?" "All beautiful and jiggy!" nodded Miss Theodosia, wondering a little whether it was all circus or some pink lemonade. "I like the wholeness of it best," Stefana said, taking in the animated scene with an artist's eye. "I don't! I like the every little speckness of it," Evangeline chirped. "I like that 'normous big tent an' that tiny little one--I like that balloon man--I like that little darky baby--isn't he black as the ace of space, Miss Theodosia! Oh, I like every blade o'--sawdust!" Her laugh trilled out gayly. "But we haven't seen it yet--the show." "Miss Theodosia! You don't honest mean we're goin' in? Stefana, she does--she means! We're goin' in!" As of course they were. The best seats in the great tented arena were none too good for them. Stefana laboriously shut up Elly Precious' go-cart, and Miss Theodosia lifted Elly Precious in her arms. In the procession they sought those best-of-all seats. What followed, even Evangeline gazed upon in silence; there were no words in Evangeline's dictionary for what followed. She sat on the edge of the best-of-all seat and drank in riders and clowns and dizzy performing fairies--an intoxicating draught. "Miss Theodosia," in a tiny whisper. "Yes, dear?" "Ain't you glad you ain't dead? 'Cause you don't need to be." Which was Evangeline's way of complimenting Heaven. There was no need of dying to find out its marvels--not now. Miss Theodosia slipped one of the small hands into hers and squeezed it; squeezing established understanding. They knew--they understood.