[Illustration: Blossoms.]






UNDER THE LILACS.

BY LOUISA M. ALCOTT.


CHAPTER XIV.

SOMEBODY GETS LOST.


Putting all care behind them, the young folks ran down the hill, with
a very lively dog gamboling beside them, and took a delightfully
tantalizing survey of the external charms of the big tent. But people
were beginning to go in, and it was impossible to delay when they came
round to the entrance.

Ben felt that now "his foot was on his native heath," and the superb
air of indifference with which he threw down his dollar at the
ticket-office, carelessly swept up the change, and strolled into the
tent with his hands in his pockets, was so impressive that even big
Sam repressed his excitement and meekly followed their leader, as he
led them from cage to cage, doing the honors as if he owned the whole
concern. Bab held tight to the tail of his jacket, staring about her