Part I Chapter 2 Doctor Dolittle's Circus by Hugh Lofting
THE DOCTOR MEETS A FRIEND--AND A RELATIVE
Now, Matthew Mugg was a peculiar man. He loved trying new jobs --which was one reason, perhaps, that he never made much money. But his attempts to get into some new kind of work usually ended in his coming back to selling cat's meat and rat-catching for farmers and millers around Puddleby.
Matthew had already at Grimbledon Fair tried to get a job with the circus and been refused. But now that he found the Doctor was going into the business--and with such a wonderful exhibition as a pushmi-pullyu--his hopes rose again. And as he went home that night he already in imagination saw himself in partnership with his beloved Doctor, running the biggest circus on earth.
Next day he called at the little house early. After Dab-Dab had made them up some sardine sandwiches to take with them for lunch, they set out.
It was a long walk from Puddleby to Grimbledon. But after the Doctor and the Cat's-Meat-Man had been trudging down the road a while they heard a sound of hoofs behind them. They turned round; and there was a farmer coming toward them in a trap. Seeing the two travelers upon the road, the farmer was going to offer them a ride. But his wife did not like the ragged looks of the Cat's-Meat-Man, and she forbade her husband to stop for them.
"What d'yer think of that for Christian charity?" said the Cat's-Meat-Man as the cart went spinning by them. "Sit comfortable in their seats and leave us to walk! That's Isidore Stiles, the biggest potato-grower in these parts. I often catches rats for him. And his wife, the snobby old scarecrow! Did yer see that look she gives me? A rat-catcher ain't good enough company for her!"
"But look," said the Doctor. "They're stopping and turning the trap around."
Now this farmer's horse knew the Doctor very well both by sight and reputation. And as he had trotted by he had recognized the little man tramping along the road as none other than the famous John Dolittle. Delighted to find that his friend had returned to these parts, the horse had then turned around of his own accord, and was now trotting back--in spite of his driver's pulling--to greet the Doctor and inquire for his health.
"Where are you going?" asked the horse as he came up.
"We're going to Grimbledon Fair," said the Doctor.
"So are we," said the horse. "Why don't you get into the back of the trap beside the old woman?"
"They haven't invited me," said the Doctor. "See your farmer is trying to turn you around again toward Grimbledon. Better not anger him. Run along. Don't bother about us. We'll be all right."
Very unwillingly the horse finally obeyed the driver, turned about and set off once more for the fair. But he hadn't gone more than half a mile before he said to himself, "It's a shame the great man should have to walk, while these bumpkins ride. I'm hanged if I'll leave him behind!"
Then he pretended to shy at something in the road, swung the trap around again suddenly and raced back toward the Doctor at full gallop. The farmer's wife screamed and her husband threw all his weight on the reins. But the horse took not the slightest notice. Reaching the Doctor he started rearing and bucking and carrying on like a wild colt.
"Get into the trap, Doctor," he whispered. "Get in, or I'll spill these boobies into the ditch."
The Doctor, fearing an accident, took hold of the horse's bridle and patted him on the nose. Instantly he became as calm and gentle as a lamb.
"Your horse is a little restive, sir," said the Doctor to the farmer. "Would you let me drive him for a spell? I am a veterinary surgeon."
"Why, certainly," said the farmer. "I thought I knew something about horses meself. But I can't do a thing with him this morning."
Then, as the Doctor climbed up and took the reins, the Cat's-Meat-Man got in behind and, chuckling with delight, sat beside the indignant wife.
"Nice day, Mrs. Stiles," said Matthew Mugg. "How are the rats in the barn?"
They reached the Grimbledon about the middle of the morning. The town was very full and busy and holidayfied. In the cattle-market fine beeves, prize pigs, fat sheep and pedigreed draft horses with ribbons in their manes filled the pens.
Through the good-natured crowds that thronged the streets the Doctor and Matthew made their way patiently toward the enclosure where the circus was. The Doctor began to get worried that he might be asked to pay to go in, because he hadn't a single penny in his pockets. But at the entrance to the circus they found a high platform erected, with some curtains at the back. It was like a small outdoor theater. On this platform a man with an enormous black moustache was standing. From time to time various showily-dressed persons made their appearance through the curtains; and the big man introduced them to the gaping crowd and told of the wonders they could perform. Whatever they were, clowns, acrobats or snake-charmers, he always said they were the greatest in the world. The crowd was tremendously impressed; and every once in a while people in ones and twos would make their way through the throng, pay their money at the little gate and pass into the circus enclosure.
"There you are," the Cat's-Meat-Man whispered in the Doctor's ear. "Didn't I tell yer it was a good show? Look! People going in by hundreds."
"Is that big man the manager?" asked the Doctor.
"Yes, that's him. That's Blossom himself--Alexander Blossom. He's the man we've come to see."
The Doctor began to squirm his way forward through the people, with Matthew following behind. Finally he reached the front and started making signs to the big man on the platform above to show that he wanted to speak to him. But Mr. Blossom was so busy bellowing about the wonders of his show that the Doctor--a small man in a big crowd--could not attract his attention.
"Get up on the platform," said Matthew. "Climb up and talk to him."
So the Doctor clambered up one corner of the stage and then suddenly got frightfully embarrassed to find himself facing so large a gathering of people. However, once there, he plucked up his courage and, tapping the shouting showman on the arm, he said:
"Excuse me."
Mr. Blossom stopped roaring about the "greatest show on earth" and gazed down at the little round man who had suddenly appeared beside him.
"Er--er--" the Doctor began.
Then there was a silence. The people began to titter.
Blossom, like most showmen, was never at a loss for words and seldom missed an opportunity of being funny at somebody else's expense. And while John Dolittle was still wondering how to begin, the manager suddenly turned to the crowd again and, waving his arm towards the Doctor, shouted:
"And this, Ladies and Gentlemen, is the original Humpty-Dumpty-- the one what gave the king's men so much trouble. Pay your money and come in! Walk up and see 'im fall off the wall!"
At that the crowd roared with laughter and the poor Doctor got more embarrassed than ever.
"Talk to him, Doctor, talk to him!" called the Cat's-Meat-Man from down below.
Soon, when the laughter had subsided, the Doctor made another attempt. He had just opened his mouth when a single piercing cry rang from amidst the crowd--"John!"
The Doctor turned and gazed over the heads of the people to see who was calling him by name. And there on the outskirts of the throng he saw a woman waving violently to him with a green parasol.
"Who is it?" said the Cat's-Meat-Man.
"Heaven preserve us!" groaned the Doctor, shamefacedly climbing down off the stage. "What'll we do now? Matthew--it's Sarah!"