`` It will take a lot of washings to get that brown stuff off . See , his pretty , pink skin is all stained with it . We 'll bleach him out , and his curls will grow , and he 'll be as good as ever -- all but -- '' Ben could not finish , and a general wail went up for the departed tassel that would never wave proudly in the breeze again . `` I 'll buy him a new one . Now form the procession and let us go in style , '' said Thorny , cheerily , as he swung Betty to his shoulder and marched away whistling `` Hail ! the conquering hero comes , '' while Ben and his Bow-wow followed arm-in-arm , and Bab brought up the rear , banging on a milk-pan with the egg-beater . CHAPTER XVIII BOWS AND ARROWS If Sancho 's abduction made a stir , one may easily imagine with what warmth and interest he was welcomed back when his wrongs and wanderings were known . For several days he held regular levees , that curious boys and sympathizing girls might see and pity the changed and curtailed dog . Sancho behaved with dignified affability , and sat upon his mat in the coach-house pensively eying his guests , and patiently submitting to their caresses ; while Ben and Thorny took turns to tell the few tragical facts which were not shrouded in the deepest mystery . If the interesting sufferer could only have spoken , what thrilling adventures and hair-breadth escapes he might have related . But , alas ! he was dumb ; and the secrets of that memorable month never were revealed . The lame paw soon healed , the dingy color slowly yielded to many washings , the woolly coat began to knot up into little curls , a new collar , handsomely marked , made him a respectable dog , and Sancho was himself again . But it was evident that his sufferings were not forgotten ; his once sweet temper was a trifle soured ; and , with a few exceptions , he had lost his faith in mankind . Before , he had been the most benevolent and hospitable of dogs ; now , he eyed all strangers suspiciously , and the sight of a shabby man made him growl and bristle up , as if the memory of his wrongs still burned hotly within him . Fortunately , his gratitude was stronger than his resentment , and he never seemed to forget that he owed his life to Betty , -- running to meet her whenever she appeared , instantly obeying her commands , and suffering no one to molest her when he walked watchfully beside her , with her hand upon his neck , as they had walked out of the almost fatal backyard together , faithful friends for ever . Miss Celia called them little Una and her lion , and read the pretty story to the children when they wondered what she meant . Ben , with great pains , taught the dog to spell `` Betty , '' and surprised her with a display of this new accomplishment , which gratified her so much that she was never tired of seeing Sanch paw the five red letters into place , then come and lay his nose in her hand , as if he added , `` That 's the name of my dear mistress . '' Of course Bab was glad to have everything pleasant and friendly again ; but in a little dark corner of her heart there was a drop of envy , and a desperate desire to do something which would make every one in her small world like and praise her as they did Betty . Trying to be as good and gentle did not satisfy her ; she must do something brave or surprising , and no chance for distinguishing herself in that way seemed likely to appear .
XXXXX was as fond as ever , and the boys were very kind to her ; but she felt that they both liked `` little Betcinda , '' as they called her , best , because she found Sanch , and never seemed to know that she had done any thing brave in defending him against all odds .
Bab Betty Bow-wow Celia Thorny Una bleach coach-house days levees