"You need a snifter of brandy," announced Joey conclusively. He went off to get it. Ruby rinsed her own tin-cup and poured out some hot coffee. Casey called up a boy and sent off to the performer's cook top for a pitcher of soup, some corned beef and potatoes, ignoring her protests. "And how is the new clown faring?" she asked, turning to the silent David with a smile. "Very well, thank you," he replied. "I have been very hungry, you know. I have never known food to taste so good." "The hotels in these towns are atrocious. I can't eat the food," she explained listlessly. Joey handed her a drink from his flask. She swallowed it obediently but with evident distaste. There was a long, somewhat painful silence. "I think it's started to sprinkle again," ventured the contortionist, looking at the top with uneasy eyes. "Yes," she said appreciatively, "it means another wretched night for us." She toyed with the tin-cup with nervous fingers for a moment and then turned to the expectant Grinaldi. "We have been obliged to borrow more money, Joey." "So?" he said, nodding his head dumbly. "Five thousand dollars. I--I signed the note with Tom. Oh, if we could only have a spell of good weather!" It was an actual wail of despair. "It's bound to come," said the clown. "It can't rain allus, Mrs. Braddock." Again there was silence. The three performers were absolutely dumb in the presence of her unspoken misery. "Would my money be of any service to you?" asked David at last, timidly. "You dear boy, no!" she cried warmly. "You do not understand. This is our affair, David. You are very, very good, but--" She checked the words resolutely. "We can lift the notes handily if the weather helps us just a little bit." "I don't like that man," announced the boy, his dark eyes gleaming. The others coughed uncomfortably. Mrs. Braddock hesitated for a second, and then laid her hand on his. "He is a very bad man, David," was all that she said. He would have blurted out an additional expression of hatred had she not lifted her finger imperatively. "You must not say indiscreet things, my friend." It was a warning and he understood. "Come on, Jacky," put in Grinaldi hastily. "I've got to rehearse you a bit. You've got to learn 'ow to tumble and you've got to--" "Just a moment, Joey," said Mrs. Braddock nervously. "David, I can't keep your money for you. Do you object to Mr. Noakes taking it for awhile? Until we can get to a town where you can deposit it in a bank. It isn't safe with me. I--" "It _is_ safe with you," he cried eagerly. "No! If anything were to happen to me you would never see it again." He was struck by the increased pallor of her face. "It's quite safe with Joey." He waited a moment before replying. "I know that, Mrs. Braddock. You may give it to him. But--but I want you to know that if _you_ ever need any of it, or all of it--_for yourself or Christine_, you are more than welcome to it."