a half to four
Yer , you young uns ! Put back into the house , and hide under the bed , or he 'll eat ye up like ye was so much cl ` ar soap-grease ! '' At that moment the dog stretched his great mouth open , with a formidable yawn . Panic seized the `` young uns , '' and they scampered ; their bare legs and exceedingly scanty attire -LRB- only three shirts and a half to four little barbarians -RRB- seeming to offer the dog unusual facilities , had he chosen to regard them as soap-grease and to regale himself on that sort of diet . But he was too well-bred and good-natured an animal to think of snapping up a little Wiggett or two for his luncheon ; and the fugitives , having first run under the bed and looked out , ventured back to the door , and peeped with scared faces from behind their mother 's gown . To hide his laughter , the young fellow stood patting and stroking his horse 's neck until Sal returned with her `` pap . '' `` Mr. Wiggett ? ''