not forgotten, 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 tasseled 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
don'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
came 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 wont touch
him."

The girls drew back with little clucks of interest and compassion, but
I regret to say their charity was not rewarded as they expected, for,
the minute the coast was clear, the dog marched boldly up, seized the
handle of the pail in his mouth, and was off with it, galloping down
the road at a great pace. Shrieks arose from the children, especially
Bab and Betty, basely bereaved of their new dinner-pail; but no one
could follow the thief, for the bell rang, and in they went, so much
excited that the boys rushed tumultuously forth to discover the cause.

By the time school was over the sun was out, and Bab and Betty hastened
home to tell their wrongs and be comforted by mother, who did it most
effectually.

"Nevermind, dears, I'll get you another pail, if he doesn't bring it
back as he did before. As it is too wet for you to play out, you shall
go and see the old coach-house as I promised. Keep on your rubbers and
come along."

This delightful prospect much assuaged their woe, and away they went,
skipping gayly down the graveled path, while Mrs. Moss followed, with
skirts well tucked up, and a great bunch of keys in her hand, for she
lived at the Lodge and had charge of the premises.

The small door of the coach-house was fastened inside, but the large
one had a padlock on it, and this being quickly unfastened, one half
swung open, and the little girls ran in, too eager and curious even to
cry out when they found themselves at last in possession of the
long-coveted old carriage. A dusty, musty concern enough, but it had a
high seat, a door, steps that let down, and many other charms which
rendered it most desirable in t