Page:The fortunes of Fifi (IA fortunesoffifi00seawiala).pdf/59

 The Italian saw, in this evidence of the dog's gentle disposition, a better chance to sell him. A stout, red-faced woman, showily dressed, immediately offered eighteen francs for the dog. The Italian held out stoutly for twenty, and to clinch the matter, brought out from his clothes somewhere a complete ballet dancer's outfit; and in the wink of an eye Toto was doing a beautiful ballet, his skirts of pink spangled tulle waving up and down around his slim, little black legs, a low-necked bodice showing a necklace around his throat, earrings jangling in his ears, and his head affectedly stuck on one side, while he ogled the gentlemen in true ballet-dancer's style.

Oh, it was delicious! Fifi almost wept with delight as Toto pirouetted, his tulle skirts waving and his earrings tinkling musically. And when at last he retired and sat down, fanning himself with his skirts, Fifi's heart, as well as her hard-earned money, was Toto's.

The stout, red-faced woman was obviously impressed with Toto's value, for she immediately said to the Italian:

"Nineteen francs, Monsieur."

The Italian shook his head; and then, scarcely