AFTER THE SHOW
Meanwhile, outside in the court, many boys and girls who were unable to
attend the show found a great attraction in its immediate vicinity.
To watch the doors through which so many lucky individuals passed had
proved very interesting earlier in the evening, and after the door had
closed upon the latest comer to creep closely to doors and windows, and
listen to the hum and flutter of the crowd, and then to hear the band's
inspiring strains was a source of joy. But when the music ceased and a
great calm settled on the audience, they knew very well it was because
the show had commenced, and that, alas, was not visible through thick
boards.
One window, whose shutters were pierced by penknives in former years,
was held valiantly all the evening by a special clique of youngsters
who relieved each other at intervals in pressing their eyes to the
holes, thus getting glimpses of the mysteries within.
A certain ingenious lad had repaired to a nearby house, borrowed a red
hot poker, and returning to the hall, bored two peep-holes through
another shutter, while an enterprising companion pried open a third
window, thus giving a full view of the pictures to all who were
fortunate enough to get near.
All these delinquents at first were thrown into intermittent thrills of
fright whenever the word went round that the constable was coming; but
when, after many false alarms, that worthy man was discovered sitting
comfortably in the hall, well up toward the stage, they felt secure,
knowing they could easily find safety in flight at the first show of
activity on his part.
The panorama moved on. Christian's movements were followed with
intense interest, especially by the younger onlookers. Claude found a
special fascination in the big bag fastened upon the hero's shoulders.
He wondered what it contained and when, toward the end, it was lost in
some mysterious way that he could not understand, he felt very much
disappointed not to have found out. Nettie whispered she guessed it
was old clothes, but Claude knew it was something more interesting than
that.
At last came the Dark Valley and then the Grand Transformation scene,
when through the great pearly gates a glimpse of the Celestial City was
obtained. Little white-robed angels, with crowns and harps, were seen
flying through the pink tinted air; the white walls and shining domes
of the heavenly mansions glittered in the distance, and Christian's
trials were past. The children, gazing enraptured at the scene, were
sorry that it could not last forever.
Nettie felt a special interest in one chubby cherub who reminded her of
Lois, and wished for a closer acquaintance, and Claude still hoped to
see the bag bobbing up again to display its contents, like a wizard's
hat but, alas, in a moment the fairy scene was blotted out by the
descending curtain!
Everybody rose and took place in the procession toward the door.
At that moment a crash was heard; a pane of glass was shattered by some
one outside leaning too heavily against it. In a moment the score of
heads which were peering in had disappeared. The red-faced constable
was seen edging his way through the crowd, and Claude and Nettie had
visions of handcuffs and the jail in store for the offenders, who,
however, were far away when the enforcer of the law arrived upon the
scene.
Ivy nudged Alene, who in turn nudged Laura, who looked round just in
time to see Mr. Edmonds standing near the box-office.
"_Bon jour, mesdemoiselles_," he cried, with a smile and a bow that
included them all. "I hope you enjoyed your evening."
"Yes, indeed, thank you, sir!"
"It was beautiful!"
"Lovely!"
"Where do you keep Lois, I mean the cherub?" murmured Nettie in so shy
a tone that only her lips were seen moving, and Claude wished he were
well enough acquainted to ask about the missing bag.
The girls felt a thrill of pride at their prominent position. Speaking
to one of the show people was next to being a real actor, but they had
to move on with the crowd which pressed around them.
Mr. Edmonds handed the beaming Laura a pretty book, which proved to be
an illustrated copy of the Pilgrim's Progress, and with a parting _au
revoir_, re-entered the box-office.
"Decidedly forward, keeping everyone back this way," said Mrs. Ramsey,
who was slightly in the rear, having waited to fasten Vera's hat.
"Alene Dawson is a bold piece! The idea of making everybody remove
their hats! I was glad I wore a close-fitting bonnet or I'd actually
have had to take mine off too. One can't be odd, you know!--Oh,
there's Mr. Dawson! Good evening! Why don't you call upon me to
chaperone Alene for you? She seems so forsaken, poor thing! I assure
you I'll take her gladly any time with my girls!"
"You are very kind, but to-night is a sort of a Club affair I believe!"
"Club affair!"
"Is it the Happy-Go-Luckys?" inquired Hermione with a smile.
"Yes, Alene came on their invitation."
"But to be out so late, going home alone!" gasped the lady.
"She is never alone! Half a dozen of the girls and boys intend
escorting her home to-night and, besides, you see I am not far in the
rear!"
"What a likely tale!" cried Mrs. Ramsey, as the crowd carried the
gentleman away. "As if the Lees or the Bonners could afford such an
expense! I'll wager Fred Dawson paid for them all; but then he's
always been odd--don't you remember that little foreigner he made such
a fuss over because Mrs. Truby had him arrested for stealing? He
actually spent a lot of money to get him off!"
"But the boy was innocent, mamma. Don't you remember how the lady
found the money a long time afterward, where she had hidden and
forgotten it?"
"But that is not the point--Fred Dawson didn't know he was innocent.
And there's old Miss Marlin, the best teacher of painting and the
languages in town--who charges outlandish prices because he upholds
her, and he actually gives her a house, rent free!"
"She is his old teacher and very feeble! Dawson is a great-hearted
fellow. In his quiet way he does more good than many of our famed
philanthropists," said the usually silent Mr. Ramsey.
"Philanthropy, indeed! Were I Alene's mother I wouldn't like it at
all, throwing his money away. If he doesn't marry, it will all go to
Alene!"
"She will have plenty in any case; her father is very well fixed!"
commented Mr. Ramsey.
"Is Alene an heiress?" cried Vera. "How funny! No one would ever
guess it from her manner!"
"It's well you are not; you would want an air-ship in order to live up
in the clouds above the heads of ordinary people! Alene has brains!"
returned Hermione.
"An unspoiled child, I should judge," said her father.