asked Billy , fishing out several fragments of gingerbread . `` Starving ! '' and Bab ate them with such a relish that Sam added a small contribution ; and Ben caught some water for her in his hand , where the little spring bubbled up beside a stone . `` Now , you wash your face and spat down your hair , and put your hat on straight , and then we 'll go , '' commanded Ben , giving Sanch a roll on the grass to clean him . Bab scrubbed her face till it shone ; and , pulling down her apron to wipe it , scattered a load of treasures collected in her walk . Some of the dead flowers , bits of moss , and green twigs fell near Ben , and one attracted his attention , -- a spray of broad , smooth leaves , with a bunch of whitish berries on it . `` Where did you get that ? '' he asked , poking it with his foot . `` In a swampy place , coming along . Sanch saw something down there ; and I went with him , 'cause I thought may be it was a musk-rat , and you 'd like one if we could get him . '' `` Was it ? '' asked the boys all at once , and with intense interest . `` No ; only a snake , and I do n't care for snakes . I picked some of that , it was so green and pretty . Thorny likes queer leaves and berries , you know , '' answered Bab , `` spatting , '' down her rough locks . `` Well , he wo n't like that , nor you either ; it 's poisonous , and I should n't wonder if you 'd got poisoned , Bab . Do n't touch it ! Swamp-sumach is horrid stuff , -- Miss Celia said so ; '' and Ben looked anxiously at Bab , who felt her chubby face all over , and examined her dingy hands with a solemn air , asking , eagerly , -- `` Will it break out on me ` fore I get to the circus ? '' `` Not for a day or so , I guess ; but it 's bad when it does come . '' `` I do n't care , if I see the animals first .
Come quick , and never mind the old weeds and things , '' said XXXXX , much relieved ; for present bliss was all she had room for now in her happy little heart .
Bab Ben Billy Sanch Swamp-sumach day gingerbread musk-rat poisoned spatting