Chapter 67 get away

Concord and Boston, October 31, 1902 Bailey walked around the empty field for a while before convincing himself that the circus had really left.There was absolutely no sign that anything had occupied the space a few hours earlier, not even a bent blade of grass. He sat on the floor with his head in his hands, completely lost, although he had been playing in these fields since he was a child.He remembered Poppy's mention of the train. Before traveling to any distant destinations, the train had to go to Boston. The moment that thought crossed his mind, Bailey stood up and ran to the station as fast as he could.He arrived at the station out of breath, his back hurting from the pounding of his back, but he couldn't see the train.He had hoped that the circus train that he wasn't sure existed was still waiting there.

But the station was deserted; on the benches of the platform there were only two figures, a man and a woman in black coats. It took Bailey a moment to realize that they were both wrapped in red scarves. How are you?the woman asked as Bailey ran onto the platform.He couldn't make out where her accent came from. Are you here for the circus?Bailey gasped for breath. Yes, the man speaks with a similar lilt: but it's gone, as I'm sure you've noticed. It also closes early, but that's not out of the ordinary.woman added. Do you know Poppy and Wicky?Bailey asked. who?the man asked.The woman turned her head to the side, as if she didn't understand the meaning of the question.

It was the twins, who both performed with the kitten, Bailey explained: They were my friends. It turned out to be the twins!The woman exclaimed: And their wonderful cats!How did you become friends with them? It's a long story.Bailey said. You can tell us while waiting, she smiled and said: Are you going to Boston too? I don't know, Bailey said: I originally wanted to go with the circus. That's what we're doing, said the man, but we all have to figure out where the circus is before we can follow, and it usually takes about a day. I wish it was in an easily accessible place.the woman said.

How do you know where it is?Bailey asked in disbelief. We dreamers have our own way, the woman said with a smile: We have to wait for a while, there should be enough time to exchange stories. The man's name is Victor and his sister's name is Lorena.They're enjoying what they call an extended circus vacation, trying to follow the fantasy circus to as many locations as possible.They used to follow the circus only in the interior of Europe, but for this special holiday, they decided to follow all the way to the other side of the Atlantic.They have been to Canada before. Bailey simplifies the process of becoming friends with Poppy and Wedgie before telling them, saving the more exotic details.

Time slowly approached dawn.They were joined by another dreamer, a woman named Elizabeth, who had been staying at a local inn and was on her way to Boston now that the circus had left.They greeted her warmly, as if they were old friends, although Lorena said they had only met her a few days ago.While they waited for the train, Elizabeth produced knitting needles and a bundle of crimson wool. Lorena introduces Bailey to her as a young dreamer without a scarf. I'm not actually a dreamer.Bailey said.He wasn't entirely sure he knew what that title meant. Elizabeth looked at him over the drapery in her hands, squinting his eyes to size him up, reminding him of the harsh schoolteacher he used to be, but now he was much taller than her.She leaned forward conspiratorially.

Do you love fantasy circus?she asked him. yes.He said without hesitation. Better than anything in the world?she added. right.Bailey said.Despite the seriousness of her tone, despite the nervous tension that made his heart beat steady, he couldn't help but smile. Then you're a dreamer, Elizabeth declared, no matter what you wear. They told him stories of the circus and other dreamers.Speaking of having some kind of contact network to track the movement of the circus, it will be responsible for notifying other dreamers to go to the circus station.Over the years, Victor and Lorena have often followed in the footsteps of the circus as their personal schedules allowed.And Elizabeth usually only goes to places close to New York. This trip is an extra long journey for her, but there is an informal Dreamers Club in the city, which holds parties from time to time. Time for members to keep in touch.

The train arrived shortly after sunrise, and the storytelling continued on the way to Boston, Elizabeth knitting and Lorena propping her head on her arms sleepily. Where will you live when you come to town?Elizabeth asked. Bailey hadn't thought of that yet, because this time he was taking every step, trying not to worry about what would happen when he got to Boston. I'm not sure yet, he said: I might just stay at the station until I figure out where to go next. Come on, Victor said: You should live with us.Almost the entire floor of the Parker Hotel is ours.You can sleep in August's room, he went back to New York yesterday and I never bother to inform management that we have vacancies.

Bailey was about to argue, but Lorena stopped him. He is very stubborn, she whispered: Once you have made up your mind about something, you will never accept rejection. Indeed, almost one step off the train, Bailey was swept into their carriage.When they arrived at the hotel, the concierge took Elizabeth's bag along with his. What's wrong?Lorena asked as he stared around the magnificent hotel lobby. I felt like a girl in a fairy tale world, one of those girls who don't even have shoes on, but somehow go to a ball in a castle.Bailey whispered.She laughed so loudly that several people turned to look at her.

Bailey was escorted to a room half the size of his old home, where he found it difficult to sleep despite heavy curtains that blocked the sun.He wandered about the room, and at last, worried that he might wear out the carpet, sat down by the window, looking down at the passers-by. In the middle of the afternoon, there was a knock on the door, which relieved him instead. Do you know where the circus is?Before Victor could speak, he pressed on. Not yet, dear brat, he said: We sometimes get advance notice of where it is going, but not lately.I guess we'll have news before the day is over.If we're lucky, we can start tomorrow morning.do you have a suit

I didn't bring it.Bailey said that remembering that the suit is in the storage box at home, it is only taken out for special occasions.He couldn't think of the last time he had to wear a suit to an occasion, but he guessed that after all this time, the suit might have worn out. Then we should do something for you.Victor said it as if it was as simple as buying a newspaper. They met Lorena in the hall, and they dragged him around the city, completing several errands, including a trip to the tailor. No, no, Lorena said as they looked at the swatches: These didn't match his complexion at all.He needs gray, a good dark gray.

After much deliberation with pins and cloth rulers, Bailey ended up with the best suit of his life, even better than his father's, in charcoal gray.Victor, despite his protests, paid for shiny leather shoes and a new hat for him. The reflection in the mirror was so different from what Bailey was familiar with in the past, it was hard to believe that it was really him. They returned to the Parker Hotel with a bunch of packages in their hands, and after sitting in their respective rooms for a long time, Elizabeth came to take them down for dinner. To Bailey's surprise, there were nearly a dozen dreamers waiting in the restaurant downstairs. Some would go with the circus, and some would stay in Boston.The splendor of the restaurant made him anxious, but the casual, boisterous style of the crowd tempered that feeling.As expected, they were almost all dressed in black, white and gray, with a few bright red splashes on their ties or handkerchiefs. When Lorena realized Bailey didn't have any red accessories, she sneaked a rose from a nearby floral arrangement and pinned it to his lapel. When enjoying every dish, some people told endless stories about the circus, and some people mentioned the tents that Bailey had never seen and the country that he had never heard of.Most of the time, Bailey just listened, still stunned to meet this group of people who loved the circus as much as he did. Do you guys think something is wrong with the circus?Bailey said quietly that the whole dining table was divided into several groups to chat with each other.I mean recently? Victor and Lorena glanced at each other, as if weighing who should answer, but Elizabeth answered first. Nothing has been the same since Mr. Dyson's death.she says.Victor suddenly frowned, and Lorena nodded in agreement. Who is Mr. Dyson?Bailey asked.His ignorance surprised the three of them. Frederick.Dyson is the first dreamer, Elizabeth said: he is a watchmaker, and he made the clock in the gate. Was that clock made by someone outside the circus?Really?Bailey asked.It never occurred to him to ask Poppy and Wedge about it, he'd always assumed it was something that circuses were inherent in.Elizabeth nodded. He's also a writer, says Victor: That's how we got to know him many years ago.We read an article he wrote about circuses and we wrote him and he wrote back and so on.That was before we called ourselves dreamers. He made me a clock that looked like a merry-go-round, and Lorena said wistfully, "There are tiny creatures circling between the clouds and the silver gears. It's such a wonderful creation. I wish I could carry it with me."Still, it would be nice to have something in the house that reminds me of a circus. I hear he has a secret affair with an illusionist.Elizabeth said with a smile to her glass of wine. It's just gossip and nonsense.Victor said disdainfully. He does seem to have a crush on her in the article.Lorena said, as if considering that possibility. How could anyone not like her?Victor asked.Lorena turned to look at him curiously.She is so talented.He muttered.Bailey caught a glimpse of Elizabeth trying to suppress a smile. Wouldn't the circus be the same without Mr. Dyson?Bailey asked, wondering if that had anything to do with what Poppy had told him. For us, it's certainly not the same without him.Lorena said.She paused thoughtfully before continuing: The circus itself seemed to be a little different, not that something in particular was wrong, just a little A little off balance, Victor chimed in: like a clock with its hammers swinging out of whack. When did he pass away?Bailey asked, unable to bear to ask the cause of death. It was actually a year ago tonight.Victor said. Oh, I didn't know that.Lorena said. To Mr Dyson, Victor suggested a toast, loud enough for the whole table to hear.He raised his glass, everyone around the table followed suit, and Bailey picked up his. Mr. Dyson's story was continued right up to dessert time, interrupted only by a discussion of why this ostensibly cake was called a pie.Victor took his leave after finishing his coffee, refusing to comment on the cake issue. Then he returned to the table with the telegram. Get ready for New York, my friends.