I drew my arm familiarly through that of a reluctant curate, and walked him smartly up and down, discussing volubly the merits of my nose in tones which suggested that I had no roof to my mouth, Did a lady protest that she had already contributed, I repeated "Oh, madam!" reproachfully and crescendo till the hush-money was paid, while in front of those who affected not to see my out-stretched hand, I stood as if rooted to the spot. I borrowed the vicar's wideawake, ostensibly for a conjuring trick, and wore it assiduously for the rest of the afternoon and, on his demurring to such use, I explained, in the voice of G.P.Huntley, that it went so well with the nose. In short, I played the mountebank to a degree that astonished myself, but apparently to some purpose, for the money came in properly. The performances went with a bang, and when, at the conclusion of the playlet, I lifted Judy to the rickety shelf, so that her head and shoulders were framed in the mouth of the booth, it was the signal for a burst of applause. On one of these occasions: "It's not fair that I should take every call," she said, looking down at my upturned face. "My dear Judy, I have my reward." "What?" "Don't I lift you up every time?" She laughed pleasedly. "Gallant Punch, you're easily satisfied." "Am I, Judy--am I?" I said gently, taking her hand. "Yes," she said, snatching it away. "You are and will be. Go out and get the money." I adjusted my nose thoughtfully. Daphne was, of course, in great evidence. Anxious to run no unnecessary risk, I avoided her when possible, and when I did find myself in her proximity, I at once indulged in some of my more extravagant behaviour. "Where's your brother?" I heard a worker say. "Brother!" said Daphne bitterly. "Coward! And I really thought we should have him this time. Fled to London before we were up this morning, thank you. From the amount of food he took with him, and the way he took it, anyone would have thought he was an escaped convict. Guilty conscience, I suppose. One hears a good deal about record flights nowadays, but I'd back my miserable brother against any aviator. My husband's promised to look in about five, if he's back from Huntercombe. That's something. But they're a wretched lot. Oh, here's one of the Pierrots!" I hung the pail on my nose and looked at her. "As one of the organizers of the fete," she said hastily, "I must thank you--" "Nothing doing, madam," said I, in an assumed voice. "But" "Free list entirely suspended, madam," and I shook the pail mercilessly. A small and grinning crowd had begun to collect, so Daphne parted up with a forced smile, and I went off chuckling to queer the animals' race.