You look out of window and amuse yourself ; we shall not be long , I guess ; '' and in went Thorn silently hoping that the dentist had been suddenly called away , or some person with an excruciating toothache would be waiting to take ether , and so give our young man an excuse for postponing his job . But no ; Dr. Mann was quite at leisure , and , full of smiling interest , awaited his victim , laying forth his unpleasant little tools with the exasperating alacrity of his kind . Glad to be released from any share in the operation , Betty retired to the back window to be as far away as possible , and for half in hour was so absorbed in her book that poor Thorny might have groaned dismally without disturbing her . `` Done now , directly , only a trifle of polishing off and a look round , '' said Dr. Mann , at last ; and Thorny , with a yawn that nearly rent him asunder , called out , -- `` Thank goodness ! Pack up , Bettykin . '' `` I 'm all ready ! '' and , shutting her book with a start , she slipped down from the easy chair in a great hurry . But `` looking round '' took time ; and , before the circuit of Thorny 's mouth was satisfactorily made , Betty had become absorbed by a more interesting tale than even the immortal `` Bluebeard . '' A noise of children 's voices in the narrow alley-way behind the house attracted her attention ; the long window opened directly on the yard , and the gate swung in the wind . Curious as Fatima , Betty went to look ; but all she saw was a group of excited boys peeping between the bars of another gate further down . `` What 's the matter ? '' she asked of two small girls , who stood close by her , longing but not daring to approach the scene of action . `` Boys chasing a great black cat , I believe , '' answered one child . `` Want to come and see ? '' added the other , politely extending the invitation to the stranger . The thought of a cat in trouble would have nerved Betty to face a dozen boys ; so she followed at once , meeting several lads hurrying away on some important errand , to judge from their anxious countenances . `` Hold tight , Jimmy , and let 'em peek , if they want to . He ca n't hurt anybody now , '' said one of the dusty huntsmen , who sat on the wide coping of the wall , while two others held the gate , as if a cat could only escape that way . `` You peek first , Susy , and see if it looks nice , '' said one little girl , boosting her friend so that she could look through the bars in the upper part of the gate . `` No ; it 's only an ugly old dog ! ''
responded XXXXX , losing all interest at once , and descending with a bounce .
Bettykin Jimmy Mann Susy Thorn Thorny countenances escape first toothache