Then Dot stopped and looked around. She was in a strange field. No
living thing was about. Yes, something was moving over in the far
corner. It turned around and seemed to sniff the air. Poor little Dot
stood almost frozen with fright. It was Big Ben.

Then Dot did the worst thing she could have done. She gave a loud cry
and began to run.

Big Ben shook himself and sniffed the air again. Then he began to come
toward her in great bounds, with his head down.

Back in the orchard the make-believe Mrs. Ray had begun to wonder why
her little girl was staying so long. At last with her scarf across her
shoulders and her umbrella over her head she went out to find her
daughter.

Mary reached the meadow just as Dot screamed.

For a moment she stood still and looked around. The meadow was empty.
Then she knew that little Dot was in the field with Big Ben.

Swift as the wind Mary ran on, closing the umbrella as she went.

Under the fence she crept and ran toward Dot.

Poor little Dot was running and stumbling and crying. Big Ben was
bounding nearer and nearer.

"Don't be afraid," Mary called, as she came up to the little girl.