Can I go this afternoon ? '' `` Yes , here is the list ; Bab gave it to me . You can go if you will come home early and have your tooth filled . '' Gloom fell at once upon Thorny 's beaming face , and he gave such a shrill whistle that his sister jumped in her chair , as she added , persuasively , -- `` It wo n't hurt a bit , now , and the longer you leave it the worse it will be . Dr. Mann is ready at any time ; and , once over , you will be at peace for months . Come , my hero , give your orders , and take one of the girls to support you in the trying hour . Have Bab ; she will enjoy it , and amuse you with her chatter . '' `` As if I needed girls round for such a trifle as that ! '' returned Thorny with a shrug , though he groaned inwardly at the prospect before him , as most of us do on such occasions . `` I would n't take Bab at any price ; she 'd only get into some scrape , and upset the whole plan . Betty is the chicken for me , -- a real little lady , and as nice and purry as a kitten . '' `` Very well ; ask her mother , and take good care of her . Let her tuck her dolly in , and she will be contented anywhere . There 's a fine air , and the awning is on the phaeton , so you wo n't feel the sun . Start about three , and drive carefully . '' Betty was charmed to go , for Thorny was a sort of prince in her eyes ; and to be invited to such a grand expedition was an overwhelming honor . Bab was not surprised , for , since Sancho 's loss , she had felt herself in disgrace , and been unusually meek ; Ben let her `` severely alone , '' which much afflicted her , for he was her great admiration , and had been pleased to express his approbation of her agility and courage so often , that she was ready to attempt any fool-hardy feat to recover his regard . But vainly did she risk her neck jumping off the highest beams in the barn , trying to keep her balance standing on the donkey 's back , and leaping the lodge gate at a bound ; Ben vouchsafed no reward by a look , a smile , a word of commendation ; and Bab felt that nothing but Sancho 's return would ever restore the broken friendship . Into faithful Betty 's bosom did she pour forth her remorseful lamentations , often bursting out with the passionate exclamation , `` If I could only find Sanch , and give him back to Ben , I would n't care if I tumbled down and broke all my legs right away ! '' Such abandonment of woe made a deep impression on Betty ; and she fell into the way of consoling her sister by cheerful prophecies , and a firm belief that the organ-man would yet appear with the lost darling .
`` I 've got five cents of my berry money , and I 'll buy you an orange if I see any , '' promised Betty stepping to kiss XXXXX , as the phaeton came to the door , and Thorny handed in a young lady whose white frock was so stiff with starch that it crackled like paper .
Bab Ben Mann Sanch awning hour months organ-man phaeton purry