him stop crying. "Why did you
take one of my nice curtains?"

"We didn't know it was nice," Teddy answered. "And we had to get
something for a net to have Jack jump in. I thought it was an old
curtain."

"It wasn't one of my best ones," said his mother, "still I didn't want it
torn. And it is of no use now. Look! All in shreds!"

Indeed that was the state of the curtain. For by this time Jack had
managed to tear it off him, and it dangled in the tree like the tail of
a broken kite.

"It will be good for dolls' dresses," said Janet. "And we can make other
things to dress the animals up in for the circus."

"Oh, you Curlytops!" cried Mrs. Martin, trying not to laugh, for it was
all rather funny in spite of the fact that one of her curtains was
ruined. "However, it can't be helped," she went on. "Only, next time,
come and ask me when you want a circus net."

"We will," promised Teddy. "But, anyhow, I guess we have taught Jack his
new trick. He jumped like anything, and from the top of the tower, when
he saw the banana."

"Oh, doesn't he look funny now!" cried Janet, pointing to the monkey,
that was now sitting on a box and looking at the children and their
mother. "He's got a lace frill on."

Part of the torn lace curtain was around Jack's neck, making him, indeed,
look as though he wore a fancy collar.

"Him's got a bib on!" declared Trouble, now over his fright and crying
spell, the first having caused the second. "Him's got a bib on 'ike
Trouble when him eats bread and 'ilk."

"So he has, dear!" laughed Mrs. Martin. "And I guess Jack would rather be
eating bread and milk than doing tricks in this pet show."

"Oh, no! He likes the circus! Or he will when we get it started,"
declared Teddy. "We've got lots to do yet, but I guess we can have it in
about two weeks. We'll get Jack to practice his jump some more."

"Then we'll need more bananas--he ate the last one," remarked Janet. "And
Mr. Nip likes them, too."

"We'll get more, but we won't make Jack do any more tricks to-day, Jan,"
decided Teddy. "Animals get cross if you keep 'em at their tricks too
long."

"And I think I'll take Trouble into the house. He's had enough excitement
for the day," said Mrs. Martin. "Don't take any more of my lace
curtains," she added, as she moved toward the house.

"We won't," promised the Curlytops. Then they pulled from the tree, where
Jack had torn his way out of it, the remainder of the lace curtain they
had used fo