She showed her shoes to the servants , the cat , the doves , and the flowers ; and then opened the gate that the people in the street might see the trim little feet she was so proud of . Now Poppy had been forbidden to go out ; but , when she saw Kitty Allen , her neighbor , playing ball down the street , she forgot every thing but the desire to show her new shoes ; and away she went marching primly along as vain as a little peacock , as she watched the bright buttons twinkle , and heard the charming creak . Kitty saw her coming ; and , being an ill-natured little girl , took no notice , but called out to her brother Jack : `` Ai n't some folks grand ? If I could n't have red shoes for my best , I would n't have any , would you ? '' They both laughed , and this hurt Poppy 's feelings dreadfully . She tossed her head , and tried to turn up her nose ; but , it was so very small , it could n't be very scornful . She said nothing , but walked gravely by , as if she was going on an errand , and had n't heard a word . Round the corner she went , thinking she would wait till Kitty was gone ; as she did n't like to pass again , fearing Jack might say something equally trying . An organ-man with a monkey was playing near by ; and Poppy was soon so busy listening to the music , and watching the sad-looking monkey , that she forgot home , shoes , and Kitty altogether . She followed the man a long way ; and , when she turned to go back , she took the wrong street , and found herself by the park . Being fond of dandelions , Poppy went in , and gathered her hands full , enjoying herself immensely ; for Betsy , the maid , never let her play in the pond , or roll down the hill , or make dirt-pies , and now she did all these things , besides playing with strange children and talking with any one she pleased . If she had not had her luncheon just before she started , she would have been very hungry ; for dinner-time came , without her knowing it . By three o'clock , she began to think it was time to go home , and boldly started off to find it . But poor little Poppy did n't know the way , and went all wrong . She was very tired now , and hot and hungry , and wanted to see mamma , and wondered why she did n't come to the brown house with the white garden-gate . On and on she went , up streets and down , amusing herself with looking in the shop-windows , and sitting to rest on doorsteps . Once she asked a pleasant-faced little girl to show her the way home ; but , as she did n't know in what street it was , and said her father 's name was `` papa , '' the girl could n't help her : so she gave her a bun and went away . Poppy ate her bun , and began to wonder what would become of her ; for night was coming on , and there did n't seem to be any prospect of finding mamma or home or bed . Her courage was all gone now ; and , coming to a quiet place , she sat down on some high steps , and cried till her little `` hankchif , '' as she called it , was all wet . Nobody minded her : and she felt very forlorn till a big black dog came by , and seemed to understand the matter entirely ; for he smelt of her face , licked her hands , and then lay down by her with such a friendly look in his brown eyes that Poppy was quite comforted .
She told him her story , patted his big head ; and then , XXXXX fairly tired out , laid her wet cheek on his soft back , and fell fast asleep .
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