`` Bless you , ma'am , I never thought of such a thing , nor Katy neither . That naughty Bab must have done it , and so do n't dar ` st to show herself , '' answered the irate Randa , whose nice room was in a mess . `` Where is the child ? '' asked her mother ; and a hunt was immediately instituted by Betty and Sancho , while the elders cleared up . Anxious Betty searched high and low , called and cried , but all in vain ; and was about to sit down in despair , when Sancho made a bolt into his new kennel and brought out a shoe with a foot in it while a doleful squeal came from the straw within . `` Oh , Bab , how could you do it ? Ma was frightened dreadfully , '' said Betty , gently tugging at the striped leg , as Sancho poked his head in for another shoe . `` Is it all burnt up ? '' demanded a smothered voice from the recesses of the kennel . `` Only pieces of the roof . Ben and his father put it out , and I helped , '' answered Betty , cheering up a little as she recalled her noble exertions . `` What do they do to folks who set houses afire ? '' asked the voice again . `` I do n't know ; but you need n't be afraid , there is n't much harm done , I guess , and Miss Celia will forgive you , she 's so good . '' `` Thorny wo n't ; he calls me a ` botheration , ' and I guess I am , '' mourned the unseen culprit , with sincere contrition . `` I 'll ask him ; he is always good to me . They will be here pretty soon , so you 'd better come out and be made tidy , '' suggested the comforter . `` I never can come out , for every one will hate me , '' sobbed Bab among the straw , as she pulled in her foot , as if retiring for ever from an outraged world . `` Ma wo n't , she 's too busy cleaning up ; so it 's a good time to come . Let 's run home , wash our hands , and be all nice when they see us .
I 'll love you , no matter what anybody else does , '' said XXXXX , consoling the poor little sinner , and proposing the sort of repentance most likely to find favor in the eyes of the agitated elders .
Bab Ben Betty Celia Katy Randa Sancho botheration comforter st