lugging the
lady forth from her durance. Tilda, scrambling forth ahead of her,
noted with inexpressible relief that the aspect of the field was
entirely changed. The crowd had melted away, the flares of the
roundabout were extinguished, and a faint glow of lamplight through
canvas told where the Mortimer's tent, far to the left, awaited
dismemberment. Five or six lanterns dotted the lower slopes, where the
smaller shows--the Aunt Sally, the coconut shies and the swing-boats--
were being hastily packed. Overhead, in a clean heaven, rode the stars,
and by their glimmer the children saw their new protectress draw herself
up in all her Amazonian amplitude. She wore a low bodice of pink, with
spangles, and a spangled skirt descended to her knees. Beneath them her
columnar calves were bare as an infant's. She extended an arm, and
pointed towards her caravan.

"Bear around to the right," she commanded. "Keep a look-out on me when
I get to the van, and creep up as quietly as you can when I reach the
step and bend to pull up my socks. Good night, young man--one good turn
deserves another: and now be off, you two . . . Yes, you may bring the
dog. Only I hope he doesn't suffer from fleas, for a flea with me is a
serious matter."

They ran around, gained the steps in safety, and were admitted to the
Fat Lady's virgin bower. It lay in darkness, and enjoining them to
stand still and keep silence, she drew the blinds discreetly before
lighting her lamp. She did this (Tilda noted) with extreme deftness,
reaching out a hand to a dark shelf and picking up the match-box as
accurately as though she saw it. At once, too, Tilda noted that in the
lamp's rays the whole interior of the caravan shone like a new pin.
A stove stood at the end facing the doorway, and beside the stove a
closed washstand of polished teak. A dressing-table, a wardrobe, and a
dresser-sideboard fitted with lockers occupied one side; along the other
ran a couch with a padded back, which, let down, became a mattress and
converted the couch into a bed. All the lockers gleamed with brasswork;
all the draperies were of muslin or dimity, immaculately white; and
looking-glass panelled the doors of every cupboard. These many mirrors
caused the interior to appear even fuller of the Fat Lady than it
actually was. They reflected her from every angle, and multiplied her
into a crowd.

"Dear me!" she said, glancing around on these reflections, "I'll have to
tu