, and Madame's hat had to be adjusted ever so often. Then
came the relighting of Monsieur's cigar, and that, too, was quite a
business; for Madame's fan would always give a suspicious little flirt
every time the match was lighted; then a penalty had to be paid, and
that, again, took time.

The aristocratic English family which was passing the summer at
Saint-Germain was disturbed in its regulation walk by the passing of the
gay little equipage. They raised their correct gray or blue eyes; there
was neither contempt nor annoyance in their look--only the faintest
shade of surprise. But the condor followed the carriage with its
eyes, until it became a mere black speck at the vanishing-point of the
straight-ruled interminable avenue.

"La joyeuse fete des Loges" is a genuine fair, with gingerbread cakes,
sword-swallowers, and waffles piping hot. As the evening falls, colored
lamps and Chinese lanterns are lighted around the venerable oak which
stands in the middle of the fairground, and boys climb about among its
topmost branches with maroons and Bengal lights.

Gentlemen of an inventive turn of mind go about with lanterns on their
hats, on their sticks, and wherever they can possibly hang; and the
most inventive of all strolls around with his sweetheart under a great
umbrella, with a lantern dancing from each rib.

On the outskirts, bonfires are lighted; fowls are roasted on spits,
while potatoes are cut into slices and fried in dripping. Each aroma
seems to have its amateurs, for there are always people crowding round;
but the majority stroll up and down the long street of booths.

Monsieur and Madame Tousseau had plunged into all the fun of the fair.
They had gambled in the most lucrative lottery in Europe, presided over
by a man who excelled in dubious witticisms. They had seen the fattest
goose in the world, and the celebrated flea, "Bismarch," who could
drive six horses. Furthermore, they had purchased gingerbread, shot at
a target for clay pipes and soft-boiled eggs, and finally had danced a
waltz in the spacious dancing-tent.

They had never had such fun in their lives. There were no great people
there--at any rate, none greater than themselves. As they did not know a
soul, they smiled to every one, and when they met the same person twice
they laughed and nodded to him.

They were charmed with everything. They stood outside the great circus
and ballet marquees and laughed at the shouting buffoons. Scraggy
mo