Madame
Bill near fell off her chair with surprise, and began ha-ha-ing
melodious. What with the roaring and clapping of the crowd, Flannagan
and Madame Bill were up in front of the minister before Stevey Todd
could be heard from the door, crying, "She ain't said no, Flannagan!
She ain't said no! It ain't right!"
"Will somebody near the door," says Flannagan, "kindly take the
hot-waffle-man an' dhrop a hot waffle down the back of his neck, to
disthract his attintion while the ciremonies proceed?" Stevey Todd
ran out of the door. But the people of Greenough was happy in front,
and the show was hilarious behind. David turned handsprings till he
sweated his spots into streaks.
But I've always had my doubts what may have been previous in Madame
Bill's mind as regards intentions to Flannagan and Stevey Todd. Which
is not saying but Flannagan's ambush was what you'd call a good
ambush, as arranged by one that knew Madame Bill well, and knew her
to be a show-woman by nature and gifts, that would never have the
heart to spoil a fine act in the middle of it, when it was coming on
well. The facts are no more than that she did nothing to spoil the
act. She let it go through.
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