"She's the main attraction in the circus, I understand," Nancy remarked. "Her name is Lolita. She does a very daring aerial act."

As the carriage glided by, drawn by four beautiful white horses, Lolita waved to the people, who clapped their hands and shouted. But the lovely, dark-haired circus star did not smile in return.

"Why is she so sad?" Teddy asked. "She looks like Cinderella did after her carriage turned into a pumpkin."

"I wonder myself," Nancy said.

A moment after the girl had passed, the parade suddenly halted. Without warning Teddy left Nancy. He dashed into the street and ran down to Cinderella's carriage. Reaching up, he opened the door and hopped inside.

Nancy was at the boy's heels. No sooner had Teddy seated himself beside Lolita, than Nancy opened the door and requested him to come out.

For the first time Lolita smiled. She put her arm around Teddy and said, "Let him stay. He's the only one who has ever done this. I think it's kind of cute."

Nancy closed the door. Smiling, she said, "As soon as you want Teddy to leave, don't hesitate to say so. I'll walk along beside the carriage and take care of him when he gets out."

Teddy, meanwhile, looked wistfully at Cinderella. "Why do you look so sad?" he asked.

"Do I really?" the girl countered, then added, "You've heard how unhappy the real Cinderella was because she lost her prince, haven't you? Well, I guess I'm sad for the same reason."

Lolita said no more. And Teddy, not understanding the implication in her words, turned to watch the people on the sidewalk.

The little boy was so thrilled that he stood up and waved to the cheering crowd. Many people concluded that he was part of the circus and wondered what he did in the Cinderella act.

Everything went smoothly for about two blocks, then Nancy heard the sudden, sharp clop of horses' hoofs behind her. Looking over her shoulder, she saw the ringmaster galloping toward her. Quickly she jumped to the sidewalk to avert being run down.