At afternoon recess , which the girls had first , Bab nearly dislocated every joint of her little body trying to imitate the poodle 's antics . She had practised on her bed with great success , but the wood-shed floor was a different thing , as her knees and elbows soon testified . `` It looked just as easy as any thing ; I do n't see how he did it , '' she said , coming down with a bump after vainly attempting to walk on her hands . `` My gracious , there he is this very minute ! '' cried Betty , who sat on a little wood-pile near the door . There was a general rush , -- and sixteen small girls gazed out into the rain as eagerly as if to behold Cinderella 's magic coach , instead of one forlorn dog trotting by through the mud . `` Oh , do call him in and make him dance ! '' cried the girls , all chirping at once , till it sounded as if a flock of sparrows had taken possession of the shed . `` I will call him , he knows me , '' and Bab scrambled up , forgetting how she had chased the poodle and called him names two days ago . He evidently had not forgotten , however ; for , though he paused and looked wistfully at them , he would not approach , but stood dripping in the rain , with his frills much bedraggled , while his tasselled tail wagged slowly , and his pink nose pointed suggestively to the pails and baskets , nearly empty now . `` He 's hungry ; give him something to eat , and then he 'll see that we do n't want to hurt him , '' suggested Sally , starting a contribution with her last bit of bread and butter . Bab caught up her new pail , and collected all the odds and ends ; then tried to beguile the poor beast in to eat and be comforted . But he only came as far as the door , and , sitting up , begged with such imploring eyes that Bab put down the pail and stepped back , saying pitifully , -- `` The poor thing is starved ; let him eat all he wants , and we wo n't touch him . '' The girls drew back with little clucks of interest and compassion ; but I regret to say their charity was not rewarded as they expected , for , the minute the coast was clear , the dog marched boldly up , seized the handle of the pail in his mouth , and was off with it , galloping down the road at a great pace . Shrieks arose from the children , especially Bab and Betty , basely bereaved of their new dinner-pail ; but no one could follow the thief , for the bell rang , and in they went , so much excited that the boys rushed tumultuously forth to discover the cause . By the time school was over the sun was out , and Bab and Betty hastened home to tell their wrongs and be comforted by mother , who did it most effectually . `` Never mind , dears , I 'll get you another pail , if he does n't bring it back as he did before . As it is too wet for you to play out , you shall go and see the old coach-house as I promised . Keep on your rubbers and come along . '' This delightful prospect much assuaged their woe , and away they went , skipping gayly down the gravelled path , while Mrs. Moss followed , with skirts well tucked up , and a great bunch of keys in her hand ; for she lived at the Lodge , and had charge of the premises .
The small door of the XXXXX was fastened inside , but the large one had a padlock on it ; and this being quickly unfastened , one half swung open , and the little girls ran in , too eager and curious even to cry out when they found themselves at last in possession of the long-coveted old carriage .
Bab Cinderella Moss Shrieks afternoon coach-house dears dinner-pail first wood-pile