`` Then who did ? I heard a real live sneeze just as plain as anything , '' and Betty looked up to the green roof above her , as if the sound came from that direction . A yellow-bird sat swinging and chirping on the tall lilac-bush , but no other living thing was in sight . `` Birds do n't sneeze , do they ? '' asked Betty , eying little Goldy suspiciously . `` You goose ! of course they do n't . '' `` Well . I should just like to know who is laughing and sneezing round here . May be it is the dog , '' suggested Betty looking relieved . `` I never heard of a dog 's laughing , except Mother Hubbard 's . This is such a queer one , may be he can , though . I wonder where he went to ? '' and Bab took a survey down both the side-paths , quite longing to see the funny poodle again . `` I know where I 'm going to , '' said Betty , piling the dolls into her apron with more haste than care . `` I 'm going right straight home to tell Ma all about it . I do n't like such actions , and I 'm afraid to stay . '' `` 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 XXXXX !
'm ai catching eying pick put rolling sat see took