e in spite of
his forlorn state as he went on, while the dog pricked up his ears at
mention of his name:

"While I was restin' I heard some one come along inside, and I peeked,
and saw them little girls playin'. The vittles looked so nice I
couldn't help wantin' 'em; but I didn't take nothin',--it was Sancho,
and he took the cake for me."

Bab and Betty gave a gasp and stared reproachfully at the poodle, who
half closed his eyes with a meek, unconscious look that was very droll.

"And you made him put it back?" cried Bab.

"No; I did it myself. Got over the gate when you was racin' after
Sanch, and then clim' up on the porch and hid," said the boy, with a
grin.

"And you laughed?" asked Bab.

"Yes."

"And sneezed?" added Betty.

"Yes."

"And threw down the roses?" cried both.

"Yes; and you liked 'em, didn't you?"

"Course we did! What made you hide?" said Bab.

"I wasn't fit to be seen," muttered Ben, glancing at his tatters as if
he'd like to dive out of sight into the dark coach again.

"How came you _here_?" demanded Mrs. Moss, suddenly remembering her
responsibility.

"I heard them talk about a little winder and a shed, and when they'd
gone I found it and come in. The glass was broke, and I only pulled the
nail out. I haven't done a mite of harm sleepin' here two nights. I was
so tuckered out I couldn't go on nohow, though I tried a Sunday."

"And came back again?"

"Yes, 'm; it was so lonesome in the rain, and this place seemed kinder
like home, and I could hear 'em talkin' outside, and Sanch he found
vittles, and I was pretty comfortable."

"Well, I never!" ejaculated Mrs. Moss, whisking up a corner of her
apron to wipe her eyes, for the thought of the poor little fellow alone
there for two days and nights with no bed but musty straw, no food but
the scraps a dog brought him, was too much for her. "Do you know what
I'm going to do with you?" she asked, trying to look calm and cool,
with a great tear running down her wholesome, red cheek, and a smile
trying to break out at the corners of her lips.

"No, ma'am; and I dunno as I care. Only don't be hard on Sanch; he's
been real good to me, and we're fond of one another; aint us, old
chap?" answered the boy, with his arm around the dog's neck, and an
anxious look which he had not worn for himself.

[Illustration: GETTING BEN'S SUPPER. (SEE NEXT PAGE.)]

"I'm going to take you right home, and wash and feed and put you in a
good bed, and to-