Horton Hatches the Egg Lines 171-185 Summary

Right When He Least Expects It

• During the southern leg of the circus's tour, somewhere "not so far from Palm Beach" (173), a certain thrill-seeking bird flies over the circus.
• Yep, it's Mayzie. She's "still just as lazy" (177)—she sees the circus and thinks, "fun."
• As chance (or destiny) would have it, as soon "as she swoop[s] from the clouds/ Through an open tent door…" (181) she comes face to face with Horton the uber-faithful elephant.
• It's smackdown time.
• Or not.
• Surprised, Mayzie tells Horton she recognizes him. 
• Horton is clearly not psyched. He goes pale and starts to say something…