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 Betty , who sat on a little wood-pile near the door . There was a general rush , -- and sixteen small girls gazed out into the rain as eagerly as if to behold Cinderella 's magic coach , instead of one forlorn dog trotting by through the mud . `` Oh , do call him in and make him dance ! '' cried the girls , all chirping at once , till it sounded as if a flock of sparrows had taken possession of the shed . `` I will call him , he knows me , '' and Bab scrambled up , forgetting how she had chased the poodle and called him names two days ago . He evidently had not forgotten , however ; for , though he paused and looked wistfully at them , he would not approach , but stood dripping in the rain , with his frills much bedraggled , while his tasselled tail wagged slowly , and his pink nose pointed suggestively to the pails and baskets , nearly empty now . `` He 's hungry ; give him something to eat , and then he 'll see that we do n't want to hurt him , '' suggested Sally , starting a contribution with her last bit of bread and butter . Bab caught up her new pail , and collected all the odds and ends ; then tried to beguile the poor beast in to eat and be comforted .
But he only XXXXX as far as the door , and , sitting up , begged with such imploring eyes that Bab put down the pail and stepped back , saying pitifully , -- `` The poor thing is starved ; let him eat all he wants , and we wo n't touch him . ''
's begged came chased chirping find poured rained remained testified