`` I ai n't ; but I guess it is going to rain , so I shall have to go any way , '' answered Bab , taking advantage of the black clouds rolling up the sky , for she scorned to own that she was afraid of any thing . Clearing the table in a summary manner by catching up the four corners of the cloth , Bab put the rattling bundle into her apron , flung her children on the top and pronounced herself ready to depart . Betty lingered an instant to pick up and ends that might be spoilt by the rain , and , when she turned from taking the red halter off the knocker , two lovely pink roses lay on the stone steps . `` Oh , Bab , just see ! Here 's the very ones we wanted . Was n't it nice of the wind to blow 'em down ? '' she called out , picking them up and running after her sister , who had strolled moodily along , still looking about for her sworn foe , Sally Folsom . The flowers soothed the feelings of the little girls , because they had longed for them , and bravely resisted the temptation to climb up the trellis and help themselves , since their mother had forbidden such feats , owing to a fall Bab got trying to reach a honeysuckle from the vine which ran all over the porch . Home they went and poured out their tale , to Mrs. Moss 's great amusement ; for she saw in it only some playmate 's prank , and was not much impressed by the mysterious sneeze and laugh . `` We 'll have a grand rummage Monday , and find out what is going on over there , '' was all she said . But Mrs. Moss could not keep her promise , for on Monday it still rained , and the little girls paddled off to school like a pair of young ducks , enjoying every puddle they came to , since India-rubber boots made wading a delicious possibility . 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 XXXXX , who sat on a little wood-pile near the door .
Betty Folsom Snow dinner-baskets doughnuts first minute sneeze trellis wedges