`` She 'll have croup to-night as sure as the world . We 'd better make up some squills out of this sugar and water , '' said Bab , who dearly loved to dose the dollies all round . `` P ` r ` aps she will , but you need n't begin to sneeze yet awhile . I can sneeze for my own children , thank you , ma'am , '' returned Betty , sharply , for her usually amiable spirit had been ruffled by the late occurrences . `` I did n't sneeze ! I 've got enough to do to talk and cry and cough for my own poor dears , without bothering about yours , '' cried Bab , even more ruffled than her sister . `` Then who did ? I heard a real live sneeze just as plain as anything , '' and Betty looked up to the green roof above her , as if the sound came from that direction . A yellow-bird sat swinging and chirping on the tall lilac-bush , but no other living thing was in sight . `` Birds do n't sneeze , do they ? '' asked Betty , eying little Goldy suspiciously . `` You goose ! of course they do n't . '' `` Well . I should just like to know who is laughing and sneezing round here . May be it is the dog , '' suggested Betty looking relieved . `` I never heard of a dog 's laughing , except Mother Hubbard 's . This is such a queer one , may be he can , though . I wonder where he went to ? '' and Bab took a survey down both the side-paths , quite longing to see the funny poodle again .
`` I know where I 'm going to , '' said XXXXX , piling the dolls into her apron with more haste than care .
Bab Betty Goldy Hubbard aps dears side-paths sneeze squills to-night