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St. Nicholas Magazine for Boys and Girls, Vol. 5, Nov 1877-Nov 1878 - Scribner's Illustrated by Various
page 42 of 189 (22%)

"If he is lost I'll never forgive you; never, never, never!" and Ben
found it impossible to resist giving Bab several hard shakes which
made her yellow braids fly up and down like pump handles.

"I'm dreadful sorry. He'll come back--you said he always did," pleaded
Bab, quite crushed by her own afflictions, and rather scared to see
Ben look so fierce, for he seldom lost his temper or was rough with
the little girls.

"If he doesn't come back, don't you speak to me for a year. Now, I'm
going home." And, feeling that words were powerless to express his
emotions, Ben walked away, looking as grim as a small boy could.

A more unhappy little lass is seldom to be found than Bab was, as she
pattered after him, splashing recklessly through the puddles, and
getting as wet and muddy as possible, as a sort of penance for her
sins. For a mile or two she trudged stoutly along, while Ben marched
before in solemn silence, which soon became both impressive and
oppressive because so unusual, and such a proof of his deep
displeasure. Penitent Bab longed for just one word, one sign of
relenting; and when none came, she began to wonder how she could
possibly bear it if he kept his dreadful threat and did not speak to
her for a whole year.

But presently her own discomfort absorbed her, for her feet were
wet and cold as well as very tired; pop-corn and peanuts were not
particularly nourishing food, and hunger made her feel faint;
excitement was a new thing, and now that it was over she longed to
lie down and go to sleep; then the long walk with a circus at the
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