`` I wish they 'd come . It 's sundown , and I heard the cows mooing , so I know they have gone home , '' said Betty , impatiently ; for she regarded the new-comer in the light of an entertaining book , and wished to read on as fast as possible . `` I 'm going to learn the signs he makes when he wants Sancho to dance ; then we can have fun with him whenever we like . He 's the dearest dog I ever saw ! '' answered Bab , who was fonder of animals than her sister . `` Ma said -- Ow , what 's that ? '' cried Betty with a start , as something bumped against the gate outside ; and in a moment Ben 's head peeped over the top as he swung himself up to the iron arch , in the middle of which was the empty lantern frame . `` Please to locate , gentlemen ; please to locate . The performance is about to begin with the great Flyin ' Coopid act , in which Master Bloomsbury has appeared before the crowned heads of Europe . Pronounced by all beholders the most remarkable youthful progidy agoin ' . Hooray ! here we are ! '' Having rattled off the familiar speech in Mr. Smithers 's elegant manner , Ben begin to cut up such capers that even a party of dignified hens , going down the avenue to bed , paused to look on with clucks of astonishment , evidently fancying that salt had set him to fluttering and tumbling as it did them . Never had the old gate beheld such antics , though it had seen gay doings in its time ; for of all the boys who had climbed over it , not one had ever stood on his head upon each of the big balls which ornamented the posts , hung by his heels from the arch , gone round and round like a wheel with the bar for an axis , played a tattoo with his toes while holding on by his chin , walked about the wall on his hands , or closed the entertainment by festooning himself in an airy posture over the side of the lantern frame , and kissing his hand to the audience as a well-bred Cupid is supposed to do on making his bow . The little girls clapped and stamped enthusiastically , while Sancho , who had been calmly surveying the show , barked his approval as he leaped up to snap at Ben 's feet . `` Come down and tell what you did up at the Squire 's . Was he cross ? Did you have to work hard ? Do you like it ? '' asked Bab , when the noise had subsided .
`` It 's cooler up here , '' answered XXXXX , composing himself in the frame , and fanning his hot face with a green spray broken from the tall bushes rustling odorously all about him .
Bab Ben Bloomsbury Coopid Cupid Ma agoin beholders new-comer tattoo