The Golden Circle

e returned from dancing the s

le played over his wrinkled face. “I don

protested vigorously.

prodded the sod with his cane. “Once I was in the Cat

hed. “I can’t ever remember names. But moun

h before she had buried her pet and pal, Tico the bear. Tico had shared her joys and sorrows for many a year. With him as her dancin

e thought with

re of a gentleman of importance, and had been buried in a formal man

rself together, “bears in the mou

g his cue. “Six ferocious wild bears. I met the

lands,” lau

an eating bears. They formed a circle about me and sa

y to eat me. An

did yo

ce; not like fairies. But I can dan

nodded

ce on the bench, the o

rue, he did not dance as lightly as she. But he knew steps and movements. He had not been on hi

he forgot the terrible

breath, he threw him

the stage,” sh

have. All

too.” Her voice was mellow wit

! I should hav

eanne still

heard of me. And never will. They won’t

face was sober. “Once to every m

irled about. “What of t

, a young man with dark skin and very black eyes, ha

d with this young man? If so, he made no

they were, six bears, brown bears; no, g

ing faces. A bear’s got a sense of humo

em; had ’em good. Most appre

g them hard under their chins, cracki

ues were so sore they couldn’t

as the show was over they left; went r

e of all, meant to eat me, so

tongue out, teeth shini

inspiration! I sprang at him, seized his tongue, c

e over his shoulder. It w

e you?” asked

en, what’s a little bite between frie

“This is Petite Jeanne

. It was divine!” Th

e flu

I try to be a ham actor. You try to dance on the stage. They won’t let a

h,” Jeanne said cheerfully.

ng to his feet. “This very moment I have a bright idea. I shall

offee and rolls for three. It is time