But when they had gone as far as that, Abby, who was a sly, half-taught child, grew bolder, and a sudden impulse seized her to pocket a few sweetmeats, if she could only do so without being seen by Dotty's keen eyes.
"Come, Dotty Parling," said she, "you just go ask somebody to brush your hair; it's all over your head." Dotty sighed as she cast a last glance at the table, and then, without a word, went up stairs, unwilling to be seen by aunt Martha with her "hair all over her head." Then Abby's heart beat fast.

She heard voices in the parlor, and knew that at any moment some one might enter the dining-room, and discover her.

So making a hasty choice of two large pieces of jelly-cake, and half a dozen tarts, she swept out of the room just in time to escape meeting grandma Parlin.
Her pocket was stuffed quite full, and one end of a slice of cake peeped out, though she tried her best to press it down.

But Abby had a hope that no one would notice it through her white apron.
As Dotty's hair was now in fine order, the two children set out on their walk.

They had gone but a few steps when Zip came trotting along, with all speed, looking up in their faces as if to say, "What have I done, that I can't go too ?" "Queer what made _him_ want to come," said Abby, tartly.
"He loves his little sister," said Dotty, stroking his nose.