A Little Gipsy Lass by Gordon Stables

Biffins Lee had really so much to do of a forenoon about the Queerest Show on Earth that unless some particular rehearsal was on he did not trouble much to look after any of his people, each one of whom had duties to perform. But about two o'clock in the afternoon of the day following that on which poor Lotty had fled, Mary sought audience of the boss.

'Lotty never returned, sir. She was to stay all night with Crona, and I fully expected her back to breakfast. I am very anxious.'

So was Biffins now.

'Start Chops off at once,' he cried 'to Crona's house to make inquiries.'

Chops was glad of the excuse, and so was Wallace; for the honest dog, at all events, made sure of finding the loved one.

When Chops returned he went directly to Lee's tent.

'Lotty be gone, sir -- clean gone hoff.'

'Eh? What! are you mad, boy?'

'W'ich I don't think so, Mr Biffins Lee, an' sir to you.'

'Does not Crona know anything about it?'

'Twixt you an' me an the dooroocoolie, Mr Lee, an' you needn't let it go no furder, I think that it was Crona 'erself that sent Miss Lotty away to live with a great-grandaunt of hers.'

'Great-grandaunt of whom, you fool?'

'Why, Crona's as ever was!'

'Don't stand there and cheek me, or I'll break every bone in your ugly carcass.'

'An' that ain't callin' me my lord, is it, sir?'

'Go and find her, I tell you. Find her, find her. Can't you see I'm a ruined man if she returns not, and the show is ruined?'

'Not much it ain't, boss. You still has me, as Micawber's wife said to 'im. An' you has Bruin an' the Living Skeleting.'

'Go and find Lot, I tell you. You are in the plot. I feel sure you are.'

'Do you now?'

'You -- you -- you' -- -- Biffins couldn't find a word strong enough to fling at the fat boy.