But I did n't like that , 'cause it was awful high and shaky , and the sun was hot , and the trees slapped my face , and my legs ached holdin ' on . '' `` What 's hanny bells and neroes ? '' demanded Betty . `` Big elephants . Father never let 'em put me up there , and they did n't darst till he was gone ; then I had to , else they 'd ` a ' thrashed me . '' `` Did n't any one take your part ? '' asked Mrs. Moss . `` Yes , 'm , ` most all the ladies did ; they were very good to me , ` specially ` Melia . She vowed she would n't go on in the Tunnymunt act if they did n't stop knockin ' me round when I would n't help old Buck with the bears . So they had to stop it , 'cause she led first rate , and none of the other ladies rode half as well as ` Melia . '' `` Bears ! oh , do tell about them ! '' exclaimed Bab , in great excitement , for at the only circus she had seen the animals were her delight . `` Buck had five of 'em , cross old fellers , and he showed 'em off . I played with 'em once , jest for fun , and he thought it would make a hit to have me show off instead of him . But they had a way of clawin ' and huggin ' that was n't nice , and you could n't never tell whether they were good-natured or ready to bite your head off . Buck was all over scars where they 'd scratched and bit him , and I was n't going to do it ; and I did n't have to , owin ' to Miss St. John 's standin ' by me like a good one . '' `` Who was Miss St. John ? '' asked Mrs. Moss , rather confused by the sudden introduction of new names and people . `` Why she was ` Melia , -- Mrs. Smithers , the ringmaster 's wife .
His name was n't Montgomery any more 'n hers was St. XXXXX .
Bab Betty John Melia Smithers first holdin neroes ringmaster standin