[The March Family Trilogy by William Dean Howells]@TWC D-Link bookThe March Family Trilogy PART III 69/306
It was not yet enclosed by the fence which was to hide its wonders from the non-paying public, but March and Kenby went in through an archway where the gate-money was as effectually collected from them as if they were barred every other entrance. The wooden building was easily distinguishable from the other edifices because these were tents and booths still less substantial.
They did not make out its function, but of the others four sheltered merry-go-rounds, four were beer-gardens, four were restaurants, and the rest were devoted to amusements of the usual country-fair type.
Apparently they had little attraction for country people.
The Americans met few peasants in the grounds, and neither at the Edison kinematograph, where they refreshed their patriotism with some scenes of their native life, nor at the little theatre where they saw the sports of the arena revived, in the wrestle of a woman with a bear, did any of the people except tradesmen and artisans seem to be taking part in the festival expression of the popular pleasure. The woman, who finally threw the bear, whether by slight, or by main strength, or by a previous understanding with him, was a slender creature, pathetically small and not altogether plain; and March as they walked away lapsed into a pensive muse upon her strange employ.
He wondered how she came to take it up, and whether she began with the bear when they were both very young, and she could easily throw him. "Well, women have a great deal more strength than we suppose," Kenby began with a philosophical air that gave March the hope of some rational conversation.
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