cried Bab , longing to give battle , but afraid , for the dog was a peculiar as well as a dishonest animal . `` He looks like our China poodle , does n't he ? '' whispered Betty , making herself as small as possible behind her more valiant sister . He certainly did ; for , though much larger and dirtier than the well-washed China dog , this live one had the same tassel at the end of his tail , ruffles of hair round his ankles , and a body shaven behind and curly before . His eyes , however , were yellow , instead of glassy black , like the other 's ; his red nose worked as he cocked it up , as if smelling for more cakes , in the most impudent manner ; and never , during the three years he had stood on the parlor mantel-piece , had the China poodle done the surprising feats with which this mysterious dog now proceeded to astonish the little girls almost out of their wits . First he sat up , put his forepaws together , and begged prettily ; then he suddenly flung his hind-legs into the air , and walked about with great ease . Hardly had they recovered from this shock , when the hind-legs came down , the fore-legs went up , and he paraded in a soldierly manner to and fro , like a sentinel on guard . But the crowning performance was when he took his tail in his mouth and waltzed down the walk , over the prostrate dolls , to the gate and back again , barely escaping a general upset of the ravaged table . Bab and Betty could only hold each other tight and squeal with delight , for never had they seen any thing so funny ; but , when the gymnastics ended , and the dizzy dog came and stood on the step before them barking loudly , with that pink nose of his sniffing at their feet , and his queer eyes fixed sharply upon them , their amusement turned to fear again , and they dared not stir . `` Whish , go away ! '' commanded Bab . `` Scat ! '' meekly quavered Betty . To their great relief , the poodle gave several more inquiring barks , and then vanished as suddenly as he appeared . With one impulse , the children ran to see what became of him , and , after a brisk scamper through the orchard , saw the tasselled tail disappear under the fence at the far end . `` Where do you s ` pose he came from ? '' asked Betty , stopping to rest on a big stone . `` I 'd like to know where he 's gone , too , and give him a good beating , old thief ! '' scolded Bab , remembering their wrongs . `` Oh , dear , yes !
I hope the cake burnt him dreadfully if he did eat it , '' groaned XXXXX , sadly remembering the dozen good raisins she chopped up , and the `` lots of ` lasses '' mother put into the dear lost loaf .
Bab Betty China Scat Whish fore-legs fro hind-legs mantel-piece tassel