Even then , the lecture was a mild one , for when they tried to tell the adventures which to them seemed so exciting , not to say tragical , the effect astonished them immensely , as their audience went into gales of laughter , especially at the wheelbarrow episode , which Bab insisted on telling , with grateful minuteness , to Ben 's confusion . Thorny shouted , and even tender-hearted Betty forgot her tears over the lost dog to join in the familiar melody when Bab mimicked Pat 's quotation from Mother Goose . `` We must not laugh any more , or these naughty children will think they have done something very clever in running away , '' said Miss Celia , when the fun subsided , adding , soberly , `` I am displeased , but I will say nothing , for I think Ben is already punished enough . '' `` Guess I am , '' muttered Ben , with a choke in his voice as he glanced toward the empty mat where a dear curly bunch used to be with a bright eye twinkling out of the middle of it . CHAPTER XV BEN 'S RIDE Great was the mourning for Sancho , because his talents and virtues made him universally admired and beloved . Miss Celia advertised , Thorny offered rewards , and even surly Pat kept a sharp look-out for poodle dogs when he went to market ; but no Sancho or any trace of him appeared . Ben was inconsolable , and sternly said it served Bab right when the dogwood poison affected both face and hands . Poor Bab thought so , too , and dared ask no sympathy from him , though Thorny eagerly prescribed plantain leaves , and Betty kept her supplied with an endless succession of them steeped in cream and pitying tears . This treatment was so successful that the patient soon took her place in society as well as ever , but for Ben 's affliction there was no cure , and the boy really suffered in his spirits . `` I do n't think it 's fair that I should have so much trouble , -- first losing father and then Sanch . If it was n't for Lita and Miss Celia , I do n't believe I could stand it , '' he said , one day , in a fit of despair , about a week after the sad event . `` Oh , come now , do n't give up so , old fellow . We 'll find him if he s alive , and if he is n't I 'll try and get you another as good , '' answered Thorny , with a friendly slap on the shoulder , as Ben sat disconsolately among the beans he had been hoeing . `` As if there ever could be another half as good ! '' cried Ben , indignant at the idea ; `` or as if I 'd ever try to fill his place with the best and biggest dog that ever wagged a tail ! No , sir , there 's only one Sanch in all the world , and if I ca n't have him I 'll never have a dog again . '' `` Try some other sort of pet , then . You may have any of mine you like . Have the peacocks ; do now , '' urged Thorny , full of boyish sympathy and good-will . `` They are dreadful pretty , but I do n't seem to care about em , thank you , '' replied the mourner .
`` XXXXX the rabbits , all of them , '' which was a handsome offer on Thorny 's part , for there were a dozen at least .
's Have cried glanced losing sat suffered think try went