`` I found him , sir , '' and the lad who had been most eager for the shooting , stepped forward to claim any reward that might be offered for the now valuable victim . `` I kept him safe till she came , '' added the jailer Jimmy , speaking for himself . `` I said he was n't mad , '' cried a third , feeling that his discrimination deserved approval . `` Jud ai n't my brother , '' said the fourth , eager to clear his skirts from all offence . `` But all of you chased and stoned him , I suppose ? You 'd better look out or you 'll get reported to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals . '' With this awful and mysterious threat , Thorny slammed the doctor 's gate in the faces of the mercenary youths , nipping their hopes in the bud , and teaching them a good lesson . After one astonished stare , Lita accepted Sancho without demur , and they greeted one another cordially , nose to nose , instead of shaking hands . Then the dog nestled into his old place under the linen duster with a grunt of intense content , and soon fell fast asleep , quite worn out with fatigue . No Roman conqueror bearing untold treasures with him , ever approached the Eternal City feeling richer or prouder than did Miss Betty as she rolled rapidly toward the little brown house with the captive won by her own arms . Poor Belinda was forgotten in a corner , `` Bluebeard '' was thrust under the cushion , and the lovely lemon was squeezed before its time by being sat upon ; for all the child could think of was Ben 's delight , Bab 's remorseful burden lifted off , `` Ma 's '' surprise , and Miss Celia 's pleasure . She could hardly realize the happy fact , and kept peeping under the cover to be sure that the dear dingy bunch at her feet was truly there . `` I 'll tell you how we 'll do it , '' said Thorny , breaking a long silence as Betty composed herself with an irrepressible wriggle of delight after one of these refreshing peeps . `` We 'll keep Sanch hidden , and smuggle him into Ben 's old room at your house . Then I 'll drive on to the barn , and not say a word , but send Ben to get something out of that room . You just let him in , to see what he 'll do . I 'll bet you a dollar he wo n't know his own dog . '' `` I do n't believe I can keep from screaming right out when I see him , but I 'll try . Oh , wo n't it be fun ! '' -- and Betty clapped her hands in joyful anticipation of that exciting moment .
A nice little plan , but Master Thorny forgot the keen senses of the amiable animal snoring peacefully among his boots ; and , when they stopped at the Lodge , he had barely time to XXXXX in a whisper , `` Ben 's coming ; cover Sanch and let me get him in quick ! ''
bet came chased fell forgotten realize say shaking stare stepped