Sancho was in great spirits , evidently feeling that their woes were over and his foraging expeditions at an end , for he frisked about his master with yelps of pleasure , or made playful darts at the ankles of his benefactress , which caused her to cry , `` Whish ! '' and `` Scat ! '' and shake her skirts at him as if he were a cat or hen . A hot fire was roaring in the stove under the broth-skillet and tea-kettle , and Betty was poking in more wood , with a great smirch of black on her chubby cheek , while Bab was cutting away at the loaf as if bent on slicing her own fingers off . Before Ben knew what he was about , he found himself in the old rocking-chair devouring bread and butter as only a hungry boy can , with Sancho close by gnawing a mutton-bone like a ravenous wolf in sheep 's clothing . While the new-comers were thus happily employed , Mrs. Moss beckoned the little girls out of the room , and gave them both an errand . `` Bab , you run over to Mrs. Barton 's , and ask her for any old duds Billy do n't want ; and Betty , you go to the Cutters , and tell Miss Clarindy I 'd like a couple of the shirts we made at last sewing circle . Any shoes , or a hat , or socks , would come handy , for the poor dear has n't a whole thread on him . '' Away went the children full of anxiety to clothe their beggar ; and so well did they plead his cause with the good neighbors , that Ben hardly knew himself when he emerged from the back bedroom half an hour later , clothed in Billy Barton 's faded flannel suit , with an unbleached cotton shirt out of the Dorcas basket , and a pair of Milly Cutter 's old shoes on his feet . Sancho also had been put in better trim , for , after his master had refreshed himself with a warm bath , he gave his dog a good scrub while Mrs. Moss set a stitch here and there in the new old clothes ; and Sancho reappeared , looking more like the china poodle than ever , being as white as snow , his curls well brushed up , and his tasselly tail waving proudly over his back . Feeling eminently respectable and comfortable , the wanderers humbly presented themselves , and were greeted with smiles of approval from the little girls and a hospitable welcome from the mother , who set them near the stove to dry , as both were decidedly damp after their ablutions . `` I declare I should n't have known you ! '' exclaimed the good woman , surveying the boy with great satisfaction ; for , though still very thin and tired , the lad had a tidy look that pleased her , and a lively way of moving about in his clothes , like an eel in a skin rather too big for him . The merry black eyes seemed to see every thing , the voice had an honest sound , and the sunburnt face looked several years younger since the unnatural despondency had gone out of it . `` It 's very nice , and me and Sanch are lots obliged , ma'am , '' murmured Ben , getting red and bashful under the three pairs of friendly eyes fixed upon him . Bab and Betty were doing up the tea-things with unusual despatch , so that they might entertain their guest , and just as Ben spoke Bab dropped a cup . To her great surprise no smash followed , for , bending quickly , the boy caught it as it fell , and presented it to her on the back of his hand with a little bow . `` Gracious ! how could you do it ? '' asked Bab , looking as if she thought there was magic about .
`` That 's nothing ; look here , '' and , taking two plates , XXXXX sent them spinning up into the air , catching and throwing so rapidly that Bab and Betty stood with their mouths open , as if to swallow the plates should they fall , while Mrs. Moss , with her dish-cloth suspended , watched the antics of her crockery with a housewife 's anxiety .
Barton Ben Betty Clarindy Cutter Cutters Sanch rocking-chair smirch years