A breathless voice made Bab turn to see Ben looking about him with as much alarm in his hot face as if the dog had been a two years ' child . `` I tied him -- he 's here somewhere -- with the ponies , '' stammered Bab , in sudden dismay , for no sign of a dog appeared as her eyes roved wildly to and fro . Ben whistled , called and searched in vain , till one of the lounging men said , lazily , `` If you are looking after the big poodle you 'd better go outside ; I saw him trotting off with another dog . '' Away rushed Ben , with Bab following , regardless of the rain , for both felt that a great misfortune had befallen them . But , long before this , Sancho had vanished , and no one minded his indignant howls as he was driven off in a covered cart . `` If he is lost I 'll never forgive you ; never , never , never ! '' and Ben found it impossible to resist giving Bab several hard shakes , which made her yellow braids fly up and down like pump handles . `` I 'm dreadful sorry . He 'll come back -- you said he always did , '' pleaded Bab , quite crushed by her own afflictions , and rather scared to see Ben look so fierce , for he seldom lost his temper or was rough with the little girls . `` If he does n't come back , do n't you speak to me for a year . Now , I 'm going home . '' And , feeling that words were powerless to express his emotions , Ben walked away , looking as grim as a small boy could . A more unhappy little lass is seldom to be found than Bab was , as she pattered after him , splashing recklessly through the puddles , and getting as wet and muddy as possible , as a sort of penance for her sins . For a mile or two she trudged stoutly along , while Ben marched before in solemn silence , which soon became both impressive and oppressive because so unusual , and such a proof of his deep displeasure . Penitent Bab longed for just one word , one sign of relenting ; and when none came , she began to wonder how she could possibly bear it if he kept his dreadful threat and did not speak to her for a whole year . But presently her own discomfort absorbed her , for her feet were wet and cold as well as very tired ; pop-corn and peanuts were not particularly nourishing food ; and hunger made her feel faint ; excitement was a new thing , and now that it was over she longed to lie down and go to sleep ; then the long walk with a circus at the end seemed a very different affair from the homeward trip with a distracted mother awaiting her . The shower had subsided into a dreary drizzle , a chilly east wind blew up , the hilly road seemed to lengthen before the weary feet , and the mute , blue flannel figure going on so fast with never a look or sound , added the last touch to Bab 's remorseful anguish . Wagons passed , but all were full , and no one offered a ride . Men and boys went by with rough jokes on the forlorn pair , for rain soon made them look like young tramps . But there was no brave Sancho to resent the impertinence , and this fact was sadly brought to both their minds by the appearance of a great Newfoundland dog who came trotting after a carriage .
The good creature stopped to say a friendly word in his dumb fashion , looking up at XXXXX with benevolent eyes , and poking his nose into Ben 's hand before he bounded away with his plumy tail curled over his back .
Bab Ben Newfoundland Sancho fro impertinence pop-corn tramps year years