CHAPTER VI

A CIRCULATING LIBRARY

After supper that night, Bab and Betty sat in the old porch playing with Josephus and Belinda, and discussing the events of the day; for the appearance of the strange boy and his dog had been a most exciting occurrence in their quiet lives. They had seen nothing of him since morning, as he took his meals at the Squire's, and was at work with Pat in a distant field when the children passed. Sancho had stuck closely to his master, evidently rather bewildered by the new order of things, and bound to see that no harm happened to Ben.

"I wish they'd come. It's sundown, and I heard the cows mooing, so I know they have gone home," said Betty, impatiently; for she regarded the new-comer in the light of an entertaining book, and wished to read on as fast as possible.

"I'm going to learn the signs he makes when he wants Sancho to dance; then we can have fun with him whenever we like. He's the dearest dog I ever saw!" answered Bab, who was fonder of animals than her sister.

"Ma said--Ow, what's that?" cried Betty with a start, as something bumped against the gate outside; and in a moment Ben's head peeped over the top as he swung himself up to the iron arch, in the middle of which was the empty lantern frame.

"Please to locate, gentlemen; please to locate. The performance is about to begin with the great Flyin' Coopid act, in which Master Bloomsbury has appeared before the crowned heads of Europe. Pronounced by all beholders the most remarkable youthful progidy agoin'. Hooray! here we are!"

Answer this series of questions:

1. Who viewed the new boy as a good book?
2. Speaking of him as a book, what did she want to do?
3. Who was on the porch?
4. What were they doing?
5. What were they chatting about?
6. What had them stirred up?
7. What was his name?
8. Did he show up alone?
9. What was with him?
10. Did he have a name?
11. What was it?
12. Why was he staying right with Ben?
13. Was he protecting Ben?
14. Where were Ben and Sancho?
15. What time of day was it?
16. What had Betty heard?
17. What did Babs want to figure out how to do?
18. Did she love animals less than her sister?
19. Who was playing on the gate?
20. What was in the middle of the iron arch?

Numbered answers:
1. Betty
2. to read on as fast as possible.
3. Bab and Betty
4. playing with Josephus and Belinda
5. the events of the day;
6. the new boy
7. Ben
8. no
9. a dog
10. yes
11. Sancho
12. yes
13. yes
14. at the Squire's,
15. sundown
16. something bumped against the gate outside;
17. how to make Sancho dance
18. no
19. Ben
20. the empty lantern frame.