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Show Flying - 202 mustn't confuse me with the real thing. John Henry walks to the front of the tent and looks out, hoping for a sign of approval from the evening sky, but there is only a lone buzzard, circling high and slow, maybe the same one as yesterday. I hope he found the mouse, thinks John Henry, with a flash of compassion for all aninalkind. But to him I'm only a meal not yet ripe for the eating. Compassion gets me nothing. If I should falter and fall, he would pluck out my eyes with cries of glee. But not yet. You just stay up there and circle some more, baby. I'm not down yet. Wilberforce cones strolling down the street and John Henry scuttles back inside. On inspection eve it isn't good to stand around with nothing to do. Man only gets in trouble that way. When the lieutenant gets there, John Henry, can of Brasso in one hand and soft cloth in the other, is getting ready to shine a belt buckle. "Carry on, men," says Wilberforce just as O'Connell begins to open his mouth to call then all to attention. "Just carry on with your work, nen," says Wilberforce, "pretend I'm not here." Everyone hunches over his work with the grim expression of one determined not to disappoint the general when he comes strolling through, and Wilberforce wanders down the aisle with his hands behind his back, looking on. |