Once she asked a pleasant-faced little girl to show her the way home ; but , as she did n't know in what street it was , and said her father 's name was `` papa , '' the girl could n't help her : so she gave her a bun and went away . Poppy ate her bun , and began to wonder what would become of her ; for night was coming on , and there did n't seem to be any prospect of finding mamma or home or bed . Her courage was all gone now ; and , coming to a quiet place , she sat down on some high steps , and cried till her little `` hankchif , '' as she called it , was all wet . Nobody minded her : and she felt very forlorn till a big black dog came by , and seemed to understand the matter entirely ; for he smelt of her face , licked her hands , and then lay down by her with such a friendly look in his brown eyes that Poppy was quite comforted . She told him her story , patted his big head ; and then , being fairly tired out , laid her wet cheek on his soft back , and fell fast asleep . It was quite dark when she woke ; but a lamp was lighted near by , and standing under it was a man ringing a great bell . Poppy sat up , and wondered if anybody 's supper was ready . The man had a paper ; and , when people stopped at the sound of the bell , he read in a loud voice : `` Lost ! a little girl , four years old ; curly brown hair , blue eyes ; had on a white frock and green shoes ; calls herself Poppy . '' He got no farther ; for a little voice cried out of the dark , in a tone of surprise : `` Why , dats me ! '' The people all turned to look ; and the big man put his bell in his pocket , took her up very kindly , and said he 'd carry her home . `` Is it far away ? '' asked Poppy , with a little sob . `` Yes , my dear ; but I am going to give you some supper fust , along of my little girl . I live close by ; and , when we 've had a bite , we 'll go find your ma . '' Poppy was so tired and hungry , she was glad to find herself taken care of , and let the man do as he liked . He took her to a funny little house , and his wife gave her bread and molasses on a new tin plate with letters all round the edge . Poppy thought it very fine , and enjoyed her supper , though the man 's little girl stared at her all the time with eyes as blue as her mug . While she ate , the man sent word to her father that she was found ; and , when both papa and mamma came hurrying in all out of breath with joy , there sat Miss Poppy talking merrily , with her face well daubed with molasses , her gown torn , her hands very dirty , and her shoes -- ah , the pretty new shoes ! -- all spoiled with mud and dust , scratched , and half worn out , the buttons dull , and the color quite gone .
No one cared for it that XXXXX ; for little runaway was kissed and petted , and taken home to her own cosey bed as tenderly as if she had done nothing naughty , and never frightened her parents out of their wits in her life .
Poppy bell color dats fust hankchif night old people shoes