"Feather," answered Teddy thickly.
"I see it. Where did you get it?"
"Pulled it out of the pelican's tail. Going to make a pen
of it to use when I write to the folks at Edmeston," answered
the boy carelessly.
"You young rascal!" thundered Mr. Sparling. "What do you
mean by destroying my property like that? I'll fine you!
I'll teach you!"
"Oh, it didn't hurt the pelican any. Besides, he's got more tail
than he can use in his business, anyway."
"Get out of here!" thundered the manager in well-feigned anger.
"I'll forget myself and discharge you first thing you know.
What do you want?"
"I was going to ask you something," answered Teddy slowly.
"You needn't. You needn't. It won't do you any good. What is
it you were going to ask me?"
"I was going to ask you if I might go in the leaping act."
"The leaping act?"
"Yes, sir. The one where the fellows jump over the
elephants and--"
"Ho, ho, ho! What do you think of that, Phil? What do you--"
"I can do it. You needn't laugh. I've done it every day for
three weeks. I can jump over four elephants and maybe five, now.
I can--"
"Yes, I have seen him do it, Mr. Sparling," vouched Phil. "He is
going to make a very fine leaper.
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