`` Wow , wow , wow ! '' remarked Sancho , in a mild and conversational tone , sitting up and touching one paw to his head , as if he saluted by taking off his hat . Thorny laughed in spite of himself , and Miss Celia seeing that the ice was broken , wheeled him to his place at the foot of the table . Then , seating the little girls on one side , Ben and the dog on the other , took the head herself and told her guests to begin . Bab and Betty were soon chattering away to their pleasant hostess as freely as if they had known her for months ; but the boys were still rather shy , and made Sancho the medium through which they addressed one another . The excellent beast behaved with wonderful propriety , sitting upon his cushion in an attitude of such dignity that it seemed almost a liberty to offer him food . A dish of thick sandwiches had been provided for his especial refreshment ; and , as Ben from time to time laid one on his plate , he affected entire unconsciousness of it till the word was given , when it vanished at one gulp , and Sancho again appeared absorbed in deep thought . But , having once tasted of this pleasing delicacy , it was very hard to repress his longing for more ; and , in spite of all his efforts , his nose would work , his eye kept a keen watch upon that particular dish , and his tail quivered with excitement as it lay like a train over the red cushion . At last , a moment came when temptation proved too strong for him . Ben was listening to something Miss Celia said ; a tart lay unguarded upon his plate ; Sanch looked at Thorny who was watching him ; Thorny nodded , Sanch gave one wink , bolted the tart , and then gazed pensively up at a sparrow swinging on a twig overhead . The slyness of the rascal tickled the boy so much that he pushed back his hat , clapped his hands , and burst out laughing as he had not done before for weeks . Every one looked round surprised , and Sancho regarded them with a mildly inquiring air , as if he said , `` Why this unseemly mirth , my friends ? '' Thorny forgot both sulks and shyness after that , and suddenly began to talk . Ben was flattered by his interest in the dear dog , and opened out so delightfully that he soon charmed the other by his lively tales of circus-life . Then Miss Celia felt relieved , and every thing went splendidly , especially the food ; for the plates were emptied several times , the little tea-pot ran dry twice , and the hostess was just wondering if she ought to stop her voracious guests , when something occurred which spared her that painful task . A small boy was suddenly discovered standing in the path behind them , regarding the company with an air of solemn interest . A pretty , well-dressed child of six , with dark hair cut short across the brow , a rosy face , a stout pair of legs , left bare by the socks which had slipped down over the dusty little shoes . One end of a wide sash trailed behind him , a straw hat hung at his back , his right hand firmly grasped a small turtle , and his left a choice collection of sticks . Before Miss Celia could speak , the stranger calmly announced his mission . `` I have come to see the peacocks . ''
`` You shall presently -- '' began Miss XXXXX , but got no further , for the child added , coming a step nearer , -- `` And the wabbits . ''
Bab Ben Betty Celia Sancho circus-life right shyness sparrow weeks