But all she did was to
turn gruffly aside, and say, 'It is lucky there are no more ladies to
come, Mr. Showman, or the mob would turn everything to a compliment.'
Gilbert's curiosity was directed to the Laughing Jackass, and with
too much truth he admitted that it took its tone from whatever it
associated with, and caught every note, from the song of the lark to
the bray of the donkey; then laughed good-humouredly when the
character was fitted upon himself.
'That is all, is it not?' asked the showman. 'I may retire into
private life.'
'Oh no,' cried Willie; 'you have forgotten Mr. Dusautoy.'
'I was afraid you had,' said Lucy, 'or you could not have left him to
the last.'
'I am tempted to abdicate,' said Mr. Ferrars.
'No,' Albinia said. 'He must have his share, and no one but you can
do it. Where can he be? the pause becomes awful!'
'Willie is making suggestions,' said Gilbert; 'his imagination would
never stretch farther than a lion. It's what he thinks himself and
no mistake.'
'He is big enough to be the elephant,' said little Mary.
'The half-reasoning!' said Ulick, softly; 'and I can answer for his
trunk, I saw it come off the omnibus.'
'Ladies and gentlemen, if you persist in such disorderly conduct, the
exhibition will close,' cried the showman, waving his wand as Willie
trumpeted Mr. Cavendish Dusautoy in, and on the demand what animal he
wanted to see, twitched him as Flibbertigibbet did the giant warder,
and caused him to respond--'The Giraffe.
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