BROTHER AND SISTER
Half an hour later the inhabitants of Sainte-Ame crowded about the open
place in front of the Golden Sun. They seldom had an opportunity of
seeing anything like this, for very few travelling shows ever visited
the small Lorraine village; and with almost childish joy the spectators
gazed at Bobichel, Fanfaro, and Girdel, who were engaged in erecting the
booth. The work went on briskly. The posts which had been run into the
ground were covered with many-colored cloths, and a hurriedly arranged
wooden roof protected the interior of the tent from the weather. Four
wooden stairs led to the right of the entrance, where the box-office
was; this latter was made of a primitive wooden table, on which was a
faded velvet cover embroidered with golden arabesques and cabalistic
signs. All the outer walls of the booth were covered with yellow bills,
upon which could be read that "Signor Firejaws" would lift with his
teeth red-hot irons of fabulous weight, swallow burning lead, and
perform the most startling acrobatic tricks. Rolla, the Cannon Queen,
would catch cannon balls shot from a gun, and do other tricks; at the
same time the bill said she would eat pigeons alive, and with their
feathers on. Caillette, the "daughter of the air," as she was called,
would send the spectators into ecstasies by her performance on the tight
rope, and sing songs. Robeckal, the "descendant of the old Moorish
kings," would swallow swords, eat glass, shave kegs with his teeth; and
Fanfaro would perform on the trapeze, give his magic acts, and daze the
public with his extraordinary productions. A pyramid, formed of all the
members of the troupe, at the top of which Caillette shone with a rose
in her hand, stood at the bottom of the bills in red colors, and was
gazed upon by the peasants in open-mouthed wonder. The hammering which
went on in the interior of the booth sounded to them like music, and
they could hardly await the night, which was to bring them so many
magnificent things.
Girdel walked up and down in a dignified way and the crowd respectfully
made way for him, while the giant, in stentorian tones, gave the orders
to Fanfaro and Bobichel.
Bobichel's name was not on the bills; he was to surprise the public as a
clown, and therefore his name was never mentioned. He generally amused
the spectators in a comical way, and always made them laugh; even now,
when he had finished his work, he mingled with the peasants and
delighted them with his jokes.
Fanfaro and Caillette were still engaged constructing the booth. The
young man arranged the wooden seats and the giant's daughter hung the
colored curtains, which covered the bare walls, putting here and there
artificial flowers on them. Sometimes Caillette would pause in her work,
to look at Fanfaro with her deep blue eyes.
Fanfaro was now done with the seats and began to fasten two trapezes.
They hung to a centre log by iron hooks, and were about twelve feet from
the ground and about as far distant from each other.
Fanfaro lightly swung upon the centre log and hammered in the iron hooks
with powerful blows.
The wonderfully fine-shaped body was seen to advantage in this position,
and a sculptor would have enthusiastically observed the classical
outlines of the young man, whose dark tights fitted him like a glove.
Fanfaro's hands and feet were as small as those of a woman, but, as
Girdel had said, his muscles and veins were as hard as iron.
The iron hooks were fast now, and the young man swung himself upon a
plank; he then glided down one trapeze, and with a quick movement
grasped the other.
Like an arrow the slim body shot through the air, and then Fanfaro
sprung lightly to the ground, while the trapeze flew back.
At the very moment the young man let go of the trapeze a faint scream
was heard, and Caillette, deadly pale, stood next to Fanfaro.
"How you frightened me, you wicked fellow," said the young girl, drawing
a deep breath.
"Were you really frightened, Caillette? I thought you would have got
used to my exercises long ago."
"I ought to be so," pouted Caillette, pressing her hands to her
fast-beating heart, "but every time I see you fly, fear seizes hold of
me and I unconsciously cry aloud. Oh, Fanfaro, if an accident should
happen to you--I would not survive it."
"Little sister, you are needlessly alarming yourself."
Caillette held down her pretty little head and the hot blood rushed to
her velvety cheeks, while her hands nervously clutched each other.
"Caillette, what ails you?" asked Fanfaro.
"Oh--tell me, Fanfaro, why do you always call me 'little sister'?"
"Does the expression displease you, mademoiselle?" laughingly said the
young man; "is it the word 'little,' or the word 'sister'?"
"I did not say the expression displeased me."
"Should I call you my big sister?"
"Why do you call me sister at all?"
A cloud spread over the young man's face.
"Did we not grow up together like brother and sister?" he asked; "you
were six years old when your father took the deserted boy to his home."
"But you are not my brother," persisted Caillette.
"Perhaps not in the sense commonly associated with the term, but yet I
love you like a brother. Doesn't this explanation please you?"
"Yes and no. I wished--"
"What would you wish?"
"I had rather not say it," whispered Caillette, and hastily throwing her
arms about Fanfaro she kissed him heartily.
Fanfaro did not return the kiss; on the contrary he turned away and
worked at the trapeze cord. He divined what was going on in Caillette,
as many words hastily spoken had told the young man that the young girl
loved him not as the sister loves the brother, but with a more
passionate love. Caillette was still unaware of it, but every day, every
hour could explain her feelings to her, and Fanfaro feared that moment,
for he--did not love her.
How was this possible? He could hardly account for it himself. Caillette
was so charming, and yet he could not think of the lovely creature as
his wife; and as an honest man it did not enter his mind to deceive the
young girl as to his feelings.
"Caillette," he said, now trying to appear cheerful, "we must hurry up
with our preparations, or the performance will begin before we are
done."
Caillette nodded, and taking her artificial flowers again in her hand,
she began to separate them. At the same time the door opened and
Firejaws appeared in company with two ladies. Fanfaro and Caillette
glanced at the unexpected guests and heard the elderly lady say:
"Irene, what new caprice is it that brings you here, and what will the
countess say if she hears of it?"
"Madame Ursula, spare your curtain lectures," laughed the young lady;
"and if you cannot do so, you are free to return to the castle."
"God forbid," exclaimed Madame Ursula in affright.
She was a perfect type of the governess, with long thin features,
pointed nose, small lips, gray locks, and spectacles. She wore a hat
which fell to her neck, and a long colored shawl hung over her
shoulders.
The appearance of the young lady compared very favorably with that of
the duenna. A dark-blue riding costume sat tightly on a magnificent
form; a brown velvet hat with a long white feather sat coquettishly on
her dark locks; fresh red lips, sparkling black eyes, a classically
formed nose, and finely curved lips completed her charming appearance.
The young lady appeared to be about eighteen or nineteen years old; a
proud smile hovered about her lips and the dark eyes looked curiously
about.
Fanfaro and Caillette paused at their work, and now the young girl
exclaimed in a clear bell-like voice:
"Monsieur Girdel, would it be possible for me to secure a few places for
this evening, that is, some that are hid from the rest of the
spectators?"
"H'm--that would be difficult," said Girdel, looking about.
"Of course I shall pay extra for the seats," continued the young lady.
"We have only one price for the front rows," said Firejaws, simply;
"they cost twenty sous and the rear seats ten sous."
The governess sighed sorrowfully; Irene took an elegant purse from her
pocket and pressed it in Girdel's hand.
"Take the money," she said, "and do what I say."
"I will try to get you the seats you desire, mademoiselle," he said
politely, "but only for the usual price. Fanfaro," he said, turning to
the young man, "can't we possibly fix up a box?"
Fanfaro drew near, and the young lady with open wonder gazed at the
beautiful youth.
"What's the trouble, Papa Girdel?" he said.
Before the giant could speak Irene said:
"I do not ask very much. I would like to look at the performance, but
naturally would not like to sit with the crowd. You know, peasants and
such common people--"
"H'm!" growled Girdel.
"It is impossible," said Fanfaro, coolly.
"Impossible?" repeated the young lady in amazement.
"But, Fanfaro," interrupted Girdel, "I should think we could do it. A
few boards, a carpet, and the thing is done."
"Perhaps, but I shall not touch a finger to it."
"You refuse?" exclaimed Irene. "Why, if I may ask?"
"Bravo, Fanfaro!" whispered Caillette, softly.
"Will you answer my question, monsieur---- I do not know your name?"
said Irene, impatiently.
"I am called Fanfaro," remarked the young man.
"Well then, Monsieur Fanfaro," began Irene, with a mocking laugh, "why
do you refuse to lend your master a helping hand?"
"His master?" replied Girdel, with flaming eyes; "excuse me,
mademoiselle, but you have been incorrectly informed."
"Come, Papa Girdel," laughed Fanfaro, "I will tell the young lady my
reasons, and I think you will approve of them. The public of 'peasants,'
and such 'common people,' who are so repulsive to you, mademoiselle,
that you do not desire to touch them with the seam of your dress, admire
us and provide us with our sustenance. The hands which applaud us are
coarse, I cannot deny it; but in spite of this, we regard their applause
just as highly as that given to us by people whose hands are incased in
fine kid gloves. To give you an especial box, mademoiselle, would be an
insult to the peasants, and why should we do such a thing? Am I right or
not?"
While Fanfaro was speaking, Irene looked steadily at his handsome face.
The governess muttered something about impertinence. When the young man
looked up, Irene softly said:
"That was a sharp lesson."
"No; I merely told you my opinion."
"Good. Now let me give you my answer; I will come this evening!"
"I thought so," replied Fanfaro simply.