Betty thought that Aladdin 's palace could not have been more splendid than the jeweller 's shop where the canine cuff-buttons were bought ; but when they came to the book-store , she forgot gold , silver , and precious stones , to revel in picture-books , while Thorny selected Ben 's modest school outfit . Seeing her delight , and feeling particularly lavish with plenty of money in his pocket , the young gentleman completed the child 's bliss by telling her to choose whichever one she liked best out of the pile of Walter Crane 's toy-books lying in bewildering colors before her . `` This one ; Bab always wanted to see the dreadful cupboard , and there 's a picture of it here , '' answered Betty , clasping a gorgeous copy of `` Bluebeard '' to the little bosom , which still heaved with the rapture of looking at that delicious mixture of lovely Fatimas in pale azure gowns , pink Sister Annes on the turret top , crimson tyrants , and yellow brothers with forests of plumage blowing wildly from their mushroom-shaped caps . `` Very good ; there you are , then . Now , come on , for the fun is over and the grind begins , '' said Thorny , marching away to his doom , with his tongue in his tooth , and trepidation in his manly breast . `` Shall I shut my eyes and hold your head ? '' quavered devoted Betty , as they went up the stairs so many reluctant feet had mounted before them . `` Nonsense , child , never mind me ! You look out of window and amuse yourself ; we shall not be long , I guess ; '' and in went Thorn silently hoping that the dentist had been suddenly called away , or some person with an excruciating toothache would be waiting to take ether , and so give our young man an excuse for postponing his job . But no ; Dr. Mann was quite at leisure , and , full of smiling interest , awaited his victim , laying forth his unpleasant little tools with the exasperating alacrity of his kind . Glad to be released from any share in the operation , Betty retired to the back window to be as far away as possible , and for half in hour was so absorbed in her book that poor Thorny might have groaned dismally without disturbing her . `` Done now , directly , only a trifle of polishing off and a look round , '' said Dr. Mann , at last ; and Thorny , with a yawn that nearly rent him asunder , called out , -- `` Thank goodness ! Pack up , Bettykin . '' `` I 'm all ready ! '' and , shutting her book with a start , she slipped down from the easy chair in a great hurry . But `` looking round '' took time ; and , before the circuit of Thorny 's mouth was satisfactorily made , Betty had become absorbed by a more interesting tale than even the immortal `` Bluebeard . '' A noise of children 's voices in the narrow alley-way behind the house attracted her attention ; the long window opened directly on the yard , and the gate swung in the wind . Curious as Fatima , Betty went to look ; but all she saw was a group of excited boys peeping between the bars of another gate further down . `` What 's the matter ? '' she asked of two small girls , who stood close by her , longing but not daring to approach the scene of action .
`` Boys chasing a great black cat , I believe , '' answered one XXXXX .
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