oking woman knitting a shawl. This was the
mother of the two girls, but she took little interest in the visitors,
and except for an occasional glance at them, devoted herself to her
knitting.

After waiting a few moments, and seeing that the children did not
reappear, Pompton decided to go into the tent himself. He hesitated about
taking Rosamond in, but there was no help for it, so carrying the child
in his arms, he pushed aside the canvas flap which formed the tent door,
and stepped inside.

"My word!" he exclaimed, as he saw the youthful performer, and the
interested audience. "You children are the most surprising! I think you
had better come away now."

"I think so, too," remarked Vivian's mother, looking up for a moment from
her knitting. "Are there many more of you to come?"

"Now don't be uncivil, Mother," said Cora, with her pretty smile. "It
does no harm for these children to see Vivian perform. You know she
wasn't on the programme to-day."

"I'm only a beginner," said Vivian, standing on her feet once more, and
speaking to Marjorie and Kitty. "I've had quite a good deal of training,
and now I'm on the programme afternoons twice a week. Next year I'll be
on every afternoon."

"Do you like it?" asked Kitty, fascinated by this strange child. Vivian
was a pretty little girl, and she wore a garment of pink muslin, shaped
like children's rompers. She wore pink stockings and pink kid sandals,
and her golden hair was short, and curled all over her little head.

"Yes, I like it," replied Vivian, but a wistful look came into her blue
eyes. Gently, almost timidly, she touched Marjorie's pretty coat and
straw hat with her slender little fingers. "I like it,--but I think I'd
rather be a little home-girl like you."

"Cora, send those children away," said the mother, sharply. "They upset
Vivian completely when she sees them."

"I like to see them," said Vivian, and she sat down between Kitty and
Midget. "I like to see your pretty dresses, and real shoes and stockings.
Do you go to school?"

Marjorie felt strangely drawn to this little girl who seemed so to want
the privacy of a home life. She spoke to her very gently. "Yes, Vivian,
we all go to school,--though I don't go to a regular school, do you?"

"No, I don't. Mother and Cora say they'll teach me every day, while we're
on the road, but they never get time. And I have to practise a great
deal."

Marjorie looked around for a piano, and then suddenly realize