`` You always do . I shall like riding better than being horse all the time , with that old wooden bit in my mouth , and you jerking my arms off , '' said poor Betty , who was tired of being horse continually . `` I guess we 'd better go and get the water now , '' suggested Bab , feeling that it was not safe to encourage her sister in such complaints . `` It is not many people who would dare to leave their children all alone with such a lovely cake , and know they would n't pick at it , '' said Betty proudly , as they trotted away to the spring , each with a little tin pail in her hand . Alas , for the faith of these too confiding mammas ! They were gone about five minutes , and when they returned a sight met their astonished eyes which produced a simultaneous shriek of horror . Flat upon their faces lay the fourteen dolls , and the cake , the cherished cake , was gone . For an instant the little girls could only stand motionless , gazing at the dreadful scene . Then Bab cast her water-pail wildly away , and , doubling up her fist , cried out fiercely , -- `` It was that Sally ! She said she 'd pay me for slapping her when she pinched little Mary Ann , and now she has . I 'll give it to her ! You run that way . I 'll run this . Quick ! quick ! '' Away they went , Bab racing straight on , and bewildered Betty turning obediently round to trot in the opposite direction as fast as she could , with the water splashing all over her as she ran , for she had forgotten to put down her pail . Round the house they went , and met with a crash at the back door , but no sign of the thief appeared . `` In the lane ! '' shouted Bab . `` Down by the spring ! ''
panted XXXXX ; and off they went again , one to scramble up a pile of stones and look over the wall into the avenue , the other to scamper to the spot they had just left .
Ann Bab Betty Sally crash fist girls minutes spring water-pail