asked Betty , stopping to rest on a big stone . `` I 'd like to know where he 's gone , too , and give him a good beating , old thief ! '' scolded Bab , remembering their wrongs . `` Oh , dear , yes ! I hope the cake burnt him dreadfully if he did eat it , '' groaned Betty , sadly remembering the dozen good raisins she chopped up , and the `` lots of ` lasses '' mother put into the dear lost loaf . `` The party 's all spoilt , so we may as well go home ; and Bab mournfully led the way back . Betty puckered up her face to cry , but burst out laughing in spite of her woe . `` It was so funny to see him spin round and walk on his head ! I wish he 'd do it all over again ; do n't you ? '' `` Yes : but I hate him just the same . I wonder what Ma will say when -- why ! why ! '' and Bab stopped short in the arch , with her eyes as round and almost as large as the blue saucers on the tea-tray . `` What is it ? oh , what is it ? '' cried Betty , all ready to run away if any new terror appeared . `` Look ! there ! it 's come back ! '' said Bab in an awe-stricken whisper , pointing to the table .
XXXXX did look , and her eyes opened even wider , -- as well they might , -- for there , just where they first put it , was the lost cake , unhurt , unchanged , except that the big B had coasted a little further down the gingerbread hill .
Bab Betty Ma lasses loaf raisins stone table tea-tray thief