Pagina 128 di 274

Among the spectators was a Countryman, who disparaged the Clown's

performance and announced that he would give a much superior

exhibition of the same trick on the following day. Again the

theatre was filled to overflowing, and again the Clown gave his

imitation amidst the cheers of the crowd. The Countryman,

meanwhile, before going on the stage, had secreted a young porker

under his smock; and when the spectators derisively bade him do

better if he could, he gave it a pinch in the ear and made it

squeal loudly. But they all with one voice shouted out that the

Clown's imitation was much more true to life. Thereupon he

produced the pig from under his smock and said sarcastically,

"There, that shows what sort of judges you are!"

THE LARK AND THE FARMER