`` Where did you get that ? '' he asked , poking it with his foot . `` In a swampy place , coming along . Sanch saw something down there ; and I went with him , 'cause I thought may be it was a musk-rat , and you 'd like one if we could get him . '' `` Was it ? '' asked the boys all at once , and with intense interest . `` No ; only a snake , and I do n't care for snakes . I picked some of that , it was so green and pretty . Thorny likes queer leaves and berries , you know , '' answered Bab , `` spatting , '' down her rough locks . `` Well , he wo n't like that , nor you either ; it 's poisonous , and I should n't wonder if you 'd got poisoned , Bab . Do n't touch it ! Swamp-sumach is horrid stuff , -- Miss Celia said so ; '' and Ben looked anxiously at Bab , who felt her chubby face all over , and examined her dingy hands with a solemn air , asking , eagerly , -- `` Will it break out on me ` fore I get to the circus ? '' `` Not for a day or so , I guess ; but it 's bad when it does come . '' `` I do n't care , if I see the animals first . Come quick , and never mind the old weeds and things , '' said Bab , much relieved ; for present bliss was all she had room for now in her happy little heart . CHAPTER XIV SOMEBODY GETS LOST Putting all care behind them , the young folks ran down the hill , with a very lively dog gambolling beside them , and took a delightfully tantalizing survey of the external charms of the big tent . But people were beginning to go in , and it was impossible to delay when they came round to the entrance . Ben felt that now `` his foot was on his native heath , '' and the superb air of indifference with which he threw down his dollar at the ticket-office , carelessly swept up the change , and strolled into the tent with his hands in his pockets , was so impressive that even big Sam repressed his excitement and meekly followed their leader , as he led them from cage to cage , doing the honors as if he owned the whole concern . Bab held tight to the flap of his jacket , staring about her with round eyes , and listening with little gasps of astonishment or delight to the roaring of lions , the snarling of tigers , the chatter of the monkeys , the groaning of camels , and the music of the very brass band shut up in a red bin . Five elephants were tossing their hay about in the middle of the menagerie , and Billy 's legs shook under him as he looked up at the big beasts whose long noses and small , sagacious eyes filled him with awe .
XXXXX was so tickled by the droll monkeys that the others left him before the cage and went on to see the zebra , `` striped just like Ma 's muslin gown , '' Bab declared .
Bab Ben Billy Celia Sam Sanch XIV first flap gambolling