`` Oh , Bab , how could you do it ? Ma was frightened dreadfully , '' said Betty , gently tugging at the striped leg , as Sancho poked his head in for another shoe . `` Is it all burnt up ? '' demanded a smothered voice from the recesses of the kennel . `` Only pieces of the roof . Ben and his father put it out , and I helped , '' answered Betty , cheering up a little as she recalled her noble exertions . `` What do they do to folks who set houses afire ? '' asked the voice again . `` I do n't know ; but you need n't be afraid , there is n't much harm done , I guess , and Miss Celia will forgive you , she 's so good . '' `` Thorny wo n't ; he calls me a ` botheration , ' and I guess I am , '' mourned the unseen culprit , with sincere contrition . `` I 'll ask him ; he is always good to me . They will be here pretty soon , so you 'd better come out and be made tidy , '' suggested the comforter . `` I never can come out , for every one will hate me , '' sobbed Bab among the straw , as she pulled in her foot , as if retiring for ever from an outraged world . `` Ma wo n't , she 's too busy cleaning up ; so it 's a good time to come . Let 's run home , wash our hands , and be all nice when they see us . I 'll love you , no matter what anybody else does , '' said Betty , consoling the poor little sinner , and proposing the sort of repentance most likely to find favor in the eyes of the agitated elders . `` P'raps I 'd better go home , for Sanch will want his bed , '' and Bab gladly availed herself of that excuse to back out of her refuge , a very crumpled , dusty young lady , with a dejected face and much straw sticking in her hair . Betty led her sadly away , for she still protested that she never should dare to meet the offended public again ; but in fifteen minutes both appeared in fine order and good spirits , and naughty Bab escaped a lecture for the time being , as the train would soon be due . At the first sound of the car whistle every one turned good-natured as if by magic , and flew to the gate smiling as if all mishaps were forgiven and forgotten . Mrs. Moss , however , slipped quietly away , and was the first to greet Mrs. Celia as the carriage stopped at the entrance of the avenue , so that the luggage might go in by way of the lodge .
`` We will walk up and you shall tell us the news as we go , for I XXXXX you have some , '' said the young lady , in her friendly manner , when Mrs. Moss had given her welcome and paid her respects to the gentleman who shook hands in a way that convinced her he was indeed what Thorny called him , `` regularly jolly , '' though he was a minister .
agitated cheering consoling led proposing protested recalled see slipped suggested