May be it is the dog , '' suggested Betty looking relieved . `` I never heard of a dog 's laughing , except Mother Hubbard 's . This is such a queer one , may be he can , though . I wonder where he went to ? '' and Bab took a survey down both the side-paths , quite longing to see the funny poodle again . `` I know where I 'm going to , '' said Betty , piling the dolls into her apron with more haste than care . `` I 'm going right straight home to tell Ma all about it . I do n't like such actions , and I 'm afraid to stay . '' `` I ai n't ; but I guess it is going to rain , so I shall have to go any way , '' answered Bab , taking advantage of the black clouds rolling up the sky , for she scorned to own that she was afraid of any thing . Clearing the table in a summary manner by catching up the four corners of the cloth , Bab put the rattling bundle into her apron , flung her children on the top and pronounced herself ready to depart . Betty lingered an instant to pick up and ends that might be spoilt by the rain , and , when she turned from taking the red halter off the knocker , two lovely pink roses lay on the stone steps . `` Oh , Bab , just see ! Here 's the very ones we wanted . Was n't it nice of the wind to blow 'em down ? '' she called out , picking them up and running after her sister , who had strolled moodily along , still looking about for her sworn foe , Sally Folsom . The flowers soothed the feelings of the little girls , because they had longed for them , and bravely resisted the temptation to climb up the trellis and help themselves , since their mother had forbidden such feats , owing to a fall Bab got trying to reach a honeysuckle from the vine which ran all over the porch . Home they went and poured out their tale , to Mrs. Moss 's great amusement ; for she saw in it only some playmate 's prank , and was not much impressed by the mysterious sneeze and laugh . `` We 'll have a grand rummage Monday , and find out what is going on over there , '' was all she said . But Mrs. Moss could not keep her promise , for on Monday it still rained , and the little girls paddled off to school like a pair of young ducks , enjoying every puddle they came to , since India-rubber boots made wading a delicious possibility . They took their dinner , and at noon regaled a crowd of comrades with an account of the mysterious dog , who appeared to be haunting the neighborhood , as several of the other children had seen him examining their back yards with interest .
He had begged of them , but to none had he exhibited his accomplishments except XXXXX and Betty ; and they were therefore much set up , and called him `` our dog '' with an air .
Bab Betty Folsom Hubbard Ma Moss knocker rummage side-paths trellis