`` Now , let 's carry him right home , and surprise Ben . Wo n't he be pleased ? '' said Betty , so in earnest that she tried to lift the big brute in spite of his protesting yelps . `` You are a little trump to find him out in spite of all the horrid things that have been done to him . We must have a rope to lead him , for he 's got no collar and no muzzle . He has got friends though , and I 'd like to see any one touch him now . Out of the way , there , boy ! '' Looking as commanding as a drum-major , Thorny cleared a passage , and with one arm about his neck , Betty proudly led her treasure magnanimously ignoring his late foes , and keeping his eye fixed on the faithful friend whose tender little heart had known him in spite of all disguises . `` I found him , sir , '' and the lad who had been most eager for the shooting , stepped forward to claim any reward that might be offered for the now valuable victim . `` I kept him safe till she came , '' added the jailer Jimmy , speaking for himself . `` I said he was n't mad , '' cried a third , feeling that his discrimination deserved approval . `` Jud ai n't my brother , '' said the fourth , eager to clear his skirts from all offence . `` But all of you chased and stoned him , I suppose ? You 'd better look out or you 'll get reported to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals . '' With this awful and mysterious threat , Thorny slammed the doctor 's gate in the faces of the mercenary youths , nipping their hopes in the bud , and teaching them a good lesson . After one astonished stare , Lita accepted Sancho without demur , and they greeted one another cordially , nose to nose , instead of shaking hands . Then the dog nestled into his old place under the linen duster with a grunt of intense content , and soon fell fast asleep , quite worn out with fatigue . No Roman conqueror bearing untold treasures with him , ever approached the Eternal City feeling richer or prouder than did Miss Betty as she rolled rapidly toward the little brown house with the captive won by her own arms . Poor Belinda was forgotten in a corner , `` Bluebeard '' was thrust under the cushion , and the lovely lemon was squeezed before its time by being sat upon ; for all the child could think of was Ben 's delight , Bab 's remorseful burden lifted off , `` Ma 's '' surprise , and Miss Celia 's pleasure . She could hardly realize the happy fact , and kept peeping under the cover to be sure that the dear dingy bunch at her feet was truly there .
`` I 'll tell you how we 'll do it , '' said Thorny , breaking a long silence as XXXXX composed herself with an irrepressible wriggle of delight after one of these refreshing peeps .
Bab Belinda Ben Betty Bluebeard Jimmy Thorny demur drum-major right