I say it 's Red Riding Hood , '' answered Liddy , who had begun to learn Mary Howitt 's pretty poem for her next piece , and knew all about it . The question was settled by the appearance of the wolf in the second scene , and such a wolf ! On few amateur stages do we find so natural an actor for that part , or so good a costume , for Sanch was irresistibly droll in the gray wolf-skin which usually lay beside Miss Celia 's bed , now fitted over his back and fastened neatly down underneath , with his own face peeping out at one end , and the handsome tail bobbing gayly at the other . What a comfort that tail was to Sancho , none but a bereaved bow-wow could ever tell . It reconciled him to his distasteful part at once , it made rehearsals a joy , and even before the public he could not resist turning to catch a glimpse of the noble appendage , while his own brief member wagged with the proud consciousness that though the tail did not match the head , it was long enough to be seen of all men and dogs . That was a pretty picture , for the little maid came walking in with the basket on her arm , and such an innocent face inside the bright hood that it was quite natural the gray wolf should trot up to her with deceitful friendliness , that she should pat and talk to him confidingly about the butter for grandma , and then that they should walk away together , he politely carrying her basket , she with her hand on his head , little dreaming what evil plans were taking shape inside . The children encored that , but there was no time to repeat it , so they listened to more stifled merriment behind the red table-cloths , and wondered whether the next scene would be the wolf popping his head out of the window as Red Riding Hood knocks , or the tragic end of that sweet child . It was neither , for a nice bed had been made , and in it reposed the false grandmother , with a ruffled nightcap on , a white gown , and spectacles . Betty lay beside the wolf , staring at him as if just about to say , `` Why , grandma , what great teeth you 've got ! '' for Sancho 's mouth was half open and a red tongue hung out , as he panted with the exertion of keeping still . This tableau was so very good , and yet so funny , that the children clapped and shouted frantically ; this excited the dog , who gave a bounce and would have leaped off the bed to bark at the rioters , if Betty had not caught him by the legs , and Thorny dropped the curtain just at the moment when the wicked wolf was apparently in the act of devouring the poor little girl , with most effective growls . They had to come out then , and did so , both much dishevelled by the late tussle , for Sancho 's cap was all over one eye , and Betty 's hood was anywhere but on her head . She made her courtesy prettily , however ; her fellow-actor bowed with as much dignity as a short night-gown permitted , and they retired to their well-earned repose . Then Thorny , looking much excited , appeared to make the following request : `` As one of the actors in the next piece is new to the business , the company must all keep as still as mice , and not stir till I give the word . It 's perfectly splendid ! so do n't you spoil it by making a row . '' `` What do you suppose it is ? '' asked every one , and listened with all their might to get a hint , if possible . But what they heard only whetted their curiosity and mystified them more and more . Bab 's voice cried in a loud whisper , `` Is n't Ben beautiful ? ''
Then there was a thumping noise , and Miss XXXXX said , in an anxious tone , `` Oh , do be careful , '' while Ben laughed out as if he was too happy to care who heard him , and Thorny bawled `` Whoa ! ''
Bab Celia Howitt Liddy Sanch Sancho appendage fellow-actor nightcap table-cloths