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 , being fairly tired out , laid her wet cheek on his soft back , and fell fast asleep . It was quite dark when she woke ; but a lamp was lighted near by , and standing under it was a man ringing a great bell . Poppy sat up , and wondered if anybody 's supper was ready . The man had a paper ; and , when people stopped at the sound of the bell , he read in a loud voice : `` Lost ! a little girl , four years old ; curly brown hair , blue eyes ; had on a white frock and green shoes ; calls herself Poppy . '' He got no farther ; for a little voice cried out of the dark , in a tone of surprise : `` Why , dats me ! '' The people all turned to look ; and the big man put his bell in his pocket , took her up very kindly , and said he 'd carry her home . `` Is it far away ? ''
XXXXX Poppy , with a little sob .
asked fell knowing let minded playing roll said talking tired