They took their dinner , and at noon regaled a crowd of comrades with an account of the mysterious dog , who appeared to be haunting the neighborhood , as several of the other children had seen him examining their back yards with interest . He had begged of them , but to none had he exhibited his accomplishments except Bab and Betty ; and they were therefore much set up , and called him `` our dog '' with an air . The cake transaction remained a riddle , for Sally Folsom solemnly declared that she was playing tag in Mamie Snow 's barn at that identical time . No one had been near the old house but the two children , and no one could throw any light upon that singular affair . It produced a great effect , however ; for even `` teacher '' was interested , and told such amazing tales of a juggler she once saw , that doughnuts were left forgotten in dinner-baskets , and wedges of pie remained suspended in the air for several minutes at a time , instead of vanishing with miraculous rapidity as usual . At afternoon recess , which the girls had first , Bab nearly dislocated every joint of her little body trying to imitate the poodle 's antics . She had practised on her bed with great success , but the wood-shed floor was a different thing , as her knees and elbows soon testified . `` It looked just as easy as any thing ; I do n't see how he did it , '' she said , coming down with a bump after vainly attempting to walk on her hands . `` My gracious , there he is this very minute ! '' cried Betty , who sat on a little wood-pile near the door . There was a general rush , -- and sixteen small girls gazed out into the rain as eagerly as if to behold Cinderella 's magic coach , instead of one forlorn dog trotting by through the mud . `` Oh , do call him in and make him dance ! '' cried the girls , all chirping at once , till it sounded as if a flock of sparrows had taken possession of the shed . `` I will call him , he knows me , '' and Bab scrambled up , forgetting how she had chased the poodle and called him names two days ago . He evidently had not forgotten , however ; for , though he paused and looked wistfully at them , he would not approach , but stood dripping in the rain , with his frills much bedraggled , while his tasselled tail wagged slowly , and his pink nose pointed suggestively to the pails and baskets , nearly empty now . `` He 's hungry ; give him something to eat , and then he 'll see that we do n't want to hurt him , '' suggested Sally , starting a contribution with her last bit of bread and butter . Bab caught up her new pail , and collected all the odds and ends ; then tried to beguile the poor beast in to eat and be comforted . But he only came as far as the door , and , sitting up , begged with such imploring eyes that Bab put down the pail and stepped back , saying pitifully , -- `` The poor thing is starved ; let him eat all he wants , and we wo n't touch him . '' The girls drew back with little clucks of interest and compassion ; but I regret to say their charity was not rewarded as they expected , for , the minute the coast was clear , the dog marched boldly up , seized the handle of the pail in his mouth , and was off with it , galloping down the road at a great pace . Shrieks arose from the children , especially Bab and Betty , basely bereaved of their new dinner-pail ; but no one could follow the thief , for the bell rang , and in they went , so much excited that the boys rushed tumultuously forth to discover the cause .
By the time school was over the sun was out , and Bab and XXXXX hastened home to tell their wrongs and be comforted by mother , who did it most effectually .
Betty Sally Shrieks Snow afternoon dinner-pail first juggler minutes sparrows