Little Philippe of Belgium Part 13

"Yes," replied the boy at his side, "They were at the fair, and the girl sang."

"Did you notice which way they went when they left the market place?"

Philippe demanded quickly.

"Well--" hesitated the other, "I did see them going down--Oh, don't bother me now. I want to see the film," he added irritably.

But Philippe had him by the shoulders.

"Come out of here," he ordered.

The boy was too amazed to refuse. Together the two marched out of the theater.

On the sidewalk Philippe seized the boy's arm and said to him, "I must find those people. Do you understand? Now, you've got to think which way you saw them go!"

After Philippe had told his story and explained about Tom and Zelie, the other boy remarked, "Well, my friends and I followed the organ man to a narrow little street where the poorest people live. The place was very dark, even in the daytime. It frightened some of the little children; so we left. We did not stay to see where the organ man went."

Philippe thanked his new acquaintance, and the boy was glad to go back to his seat in the theater.

Philippe followed directions, and soon he was in the dingy little street in which Tom and Zelie had disappeared.

No one was about. It was the blackest, most silent place Philippe had ever been in. He and his dog huddled beside a wall. There was n.o.body whom he could ask for information. Had he the courage to ring a doorbell?

He started toward a door. His finger was about to push the bell when a voice called to him. The voice came from above.

Philippe looked up, and there was Tom!

He was looking out of a window. It was so dark that Philippe could not see Tom's face very clearly. But his voice was cheery.

"h.e.l.lo, my lad," he called. "So you've come to us at last!"

Philippe ran up the steps, and Tom let him into the house. It was a poor house and smelled musty and old.

Tom was very pleased to see the boy.

"I knew that some day you would come," he said, slapping Philippe on the back. "You are a fine brave lad, and we shall have a splendid life together, wandering on the road."

[Ill.u.s.tration: "YOU ARE A FINE, BRAVE LAD"]

"Where is Zelie?" asked Philippe.

"Ah, she will soon be home. She is so busy. She works very late sometimes," answered Tom smiling.

"What does she do?" Philippe asked after a little silence.

"She plays the organ, and she sings," the man replied. "Now, you shall join her, and together you two should bring in much money."

His eyes gleamed. Philippe did not feel very happy. But he could not tell why. Perhaps he was just tired, and tomorrow all would be well.

Then suddenly from the street below, there came a howl. Philippe ran to the window and saw his dog, Trompke, below. The fat puppy was whimpering and calling his master. He had been forgotten outside.

Philippe smiled at Tom.

"That is my Trompke," he said.

They opened the door, and the puppy flew up the steps into Philippe's arms. Philippe stroked him, and then he told Tom how Trompke had helped him to sell the sister's lace. Tom was delighted.

"What a bright boy you are!" he exclaimed. "You shall continue selling lace for me. That is a splendid plan."

Just then Zelie came home. She seemed thinner and paler than when Philippe had last seen her. She did not talk very much, but her face lit up when she saw Philippe.

"I am so glad you have come," she said. "We shall have such good times together."

Tom grinned broadly.

"Yes, indeed," he agreed. "There is a fair in Ostend (=ost-end'=), so we four shall start our wanderings tomorrow."

"We four?" asked Zelie.

She had not noticed Trompke. The puppy was curled up behind a chair.

[Ill.u.s.tration: "WE FOUR SHALL START OUR WANDERINGS TOMORROW"]

"Yes," smiled Tom slyly. "The little dog is to be one of our party, and a very important one, too. Eh, Philippe, my boy?"

Philippe smiled and began to feel happier. At last he was going to do the thing he had always dreamed of doing. At last he was going to travel with Tom and Zelie.

Chapter XII

PHILIPPE FINDS OUT

So Tom went out next day and purchased some lace at a very cheap price.

He and the two children packed their things, and started on their journey.

Philippe's plan succeeded, and Tom was delighted with the way the lace-gowned dog drew the crowds. Philippe and Zelie sang together, and people thought the two children very attractive. They brought in much money for Tom.

From town to town they traveled.

Tom always seemed gay and pleasant. The only times he ever showed his ill nature was when the children did not bring in enough money. Then his scowls were very disagreeable to see. But usually he was pleased with what Philippe and Zelie and Trompke made.

They arrived at the fair in Ostend, a famous beach resort of Belgium.

They attracted the attention of many children along the wide beach. Here they saw hundreds of bathing machines.

[Ill.u.s.tration: BATHING BEACH AT OSTEND]

These machines are little houses on wheels, in which people dress and undress. Horses are hitched to the houses. They pull them to the water's edge, where the bathers jump into the sea for their swim.