produced by joanne hogan .

html version by al haines .

under the lilacs

by

louisa may alcott

contents

i ..y a mysterious dog ii .

where they found his master iii .

ben iv .

his story v ben gets a place vi .

a circulating library vii .

new friends trot in viii .

miss celia's man ix .

a happy tea x . a heavy trouble xi .

sunday xii .

good times xiii .

somebody runs away xiv .

somebody gets lost xv .

ben's ride xvi .

detective thornton xvii .

betty's bravery xviii .

bows and arrows xix .

speaking pieces xx .

ben's birthday xxi .

cupid's last appearance xxii .

a boy's bargain xxiii .

somebody comes xxiv .

the great gate is opened

under the lilacs

chapter i

a mysterious dog

the elm-tree avenue was all overgrown , the great gate was never unlocked , and the old house had been shut up for several years .

all sorts of neglected flowers and wild weeds grew between their stems , covering the walls of this summer parlor with the prettiest tapestry .

there was another interesting feature of the scene which would have puzzled any but those well acquainted with the manners and customs of dolls .

a fourteenth rag baby , with a china head , hung by her neck from the rusty knocker in the middle of the door .

was she a criminal , the sight of whose execution threw them flat upon their backs in speechless horror ?

or was she an idol , to be adored in that humble posture ?

neither , my friends .

they looked like twins , but were not , for bab was a year older than betty , though only an inch taller .

" very nice ; but my belinda beats them all .

i do think she is the splendidest child that ever was ! "

and betty set down the basket to run and embrace the suspended darling , just then kicking up her heels with joyful abandon .

" the cake can be cooling while we fix the children .

" leave some smell for me ! " commanded betty , running back to get her fair share of the spicy fragrance .

" ma let me put it on the very last minute , and it baked so hard i couldn't pick it off .

this arduous task accomplished , the fond mammas stepped back to enjoy the spectacle , which , i assure you , was an impressive one .

belinda sat with great dignity at the head , her hands genteelly holding a pink cambric pocket-handkerchief in her lap .

" they will like to see us get tea .

did you forget the buns ? " inquired betty , anxiously .

" no ; got them in my pocket . "

and bab produced from that chaotic cupboard two rather stale and crumbly ones , saved from lunch for the fete .

these were cut up and arranged in plates , forming a graceful circle around the cake , still in its basket .

" ma couldn't spare much milk , so we must mix water with it .

strong tea isn't good for children , she says . "

and bab contentedly surveyed the gill of skim-milk which was to satisfy the thirst of the company .

bab went and sat beside her , looking idly down the walk toward the gate , where a fine cobweb shone in the afternoon sun .

you know she wouldn't take us in the fall , cause we had whooping-cough , and it was damp there .

now we shall see all the nice things ; won't it be fun ? " observed bab , after a pause .

" yes , indeed !

ma says there 's lots of books in one room , and i can look at ' em while she goes round .

" i 'd rather see the old spinning-wheel up garret , and the big pictures , and the queer clothes in the blue chest .

it makes me mad to have them all shut up there , when we might have such fun with them .

i 'd just like to bang that old door down ! "

and bab twisted round to give it a thump with her boots .

" i didn't laugh . "

" you did !

don't you suppose i know what laughing is ? "

" i guess i know i didn't . "

" you did laugh !

how darst you tell such a fib ? "

" if you say that again i 'll take belinda and go right home ; then what will you do ? "

" i 'll eat up the cake . "

" no , you won't !

this awful threat calmed bab 's anger at once , and she hastened to introduce a safer subject .

" never mind ; don't let's fight before the children .

" i suppose the coach will be all dust and rats and spiders , but i don't care .

you and the dolls can be the passengers , and i shall sit up in front drive . "

" you always do .

alas , for the faith of these too confiding mammas !

they were gone about five minutes , and when they returned a sight met their astonished eyes which produced a simultaneous shriek of horror .

flat upon their faces lay the fourteen dolls , and the cake , the cherished cake , was gone .

for an instant the little girls could only stand motionless , gazing at the dreadful scene .

then bab cast her water-pail wildly away , and , doubling up her fist , cried out fiercely ,

" it was that sally !

she said she 'd pay me for slapping her when she pinched little mary ann , and now she has .

i 'll give it to her !

you run that way .

i 'll run this .

quick ! quick ! "

round the house they went , and met with a crash at the back door , but no sign of the thief appeared .

" in the lane ! " shouted bab .

" whish , go away ! " commanded bab .

" scat ! " meekly quavered betty .

to their great relief , the poodle gave several more inquiring barks , and then vanished as suddenly as he appeared .

" where do you s'pose he came from ? " asked betty , stopping to rest on a big stone .

" oh , dear , yes !

" the party 's all spoilt , so we may as well go home ; and bab mournfully led the way back .

betty puckered up her face to cry , but burst out laughing in spite of her woe .

" it was so funny to see him spin round and walk on his head !

i wish he 'd do it all over again ; don't you ? "

" yes : but i hate him just the same .

" what is it ? oh , what is it ? " cried betty , all ready to run away if any new terror appeared .

" look ! there ! it 's come back ! " said bab in an awe-stricken whisper , pointing to the table .

chapter ii

where they found his master

" the dog didn't eat it ! "

" sally didn't take it ! "

" how do you know ? "

" she never would have put it back . "

" who did ? "

" can't tell , but i forgive ' em . "

" or mine either , " coughed betty , choking over a raisin that wouldn't go down in a hurry .

" that will be splendid .

my poor linda was knocked right over on her nose .

" she 'll have croup to-night as sure as the world .

" p'r'aps she will , but you needn't begin to sneeze yet awhile .

" i didn't sneeze !

" then who did ?

a yellow-bird sat swinging and chirping on the tall lilac-bush , but no other living thing was in sight .

" birds don't sneeze , do they ? " asked betty , eying little goldy suspiciously .

" you goose ! of course they don't . "

" well .

i should just like to know who is laughing and sneezing round here .

may be it is the dog , " suggested betty looking relieved .

" i never heard of a dog 's laughing , except mother hubbard 's .

this is such a queer one , may be he can , though .

" i know where i ' m going to , " said betty , piling the dolls into her apron with more haste than care .

" i 'm going right straight home to tell ma all about it .

i don't like such actions , and i ' m afraid to stay . "

" oh , bab , just see !

here 's the very ones we wanted .

" we 'll have a grand rummage monday , and find out what is going on over there , " was all she said .

the cake transaction remained a riddle , for sally folsom solemnly declared that she was playing tag in mamie snow 's barn at that identical time .

no one had been near the old house but the two children , and no one could throw any light upon that singular affair .

at afternoon recess , which the girls had first , bab nearly dislocated every joint of her little body trying to imitate the poodle 's antics .

" my gracious , there he is this very minute ! " cried betty , who sat on a little wood-pile near the door .

" the poor thing is starved ; let him eat all he wants , and we won't touch him . "

" never mind , dears , i 'll get you another pail , if he doesn't bring it back as he did before .

as it is too wet for you to play out , you shall go and see the old coach-house as i promised .

keep on your rubbers and come along . "

chapter iii

ben

" please , ' m , my name is ben brown , and i 'm travellin ' . "

" where are you going ? "

" anywheres to get work . "

" what sort of work can you do ? "

" all kinds .

i 'm used to horses . "

" bless me ! such a little chap as you ?

i 'm ready for ' em . "

the last words seemed to bolt out against his will as if the woman 's sympathy irresistibly won the child 's confidence .

" then i don't blame you .

but how did you get here ? "

but the gate was locked , and i was so discouraged , i jest laid down outside and give up . "

" poor little soul , i don't wonder , " said mrs moss , while the children looked deeply interested at mention of their gate .

" while i was restin ' i heard some one come along inside , and i peeked , and saw them little girls playin ' .

" and you made him put it back ? " cried bab .

" no ; i did it myself .

" and you laughed ? " asked bab .

" yes . "

" and sneezed ? " added betty .

" yes . "

" and threw down the roses ? " cried both .

" yes ; and you liked ' em , didn't you ? "

" course we did !

what made you hide ? " said bab .

" how came you here ? " demanded mrs moss , suddenly remembering her responsibility .

" i heard ' em talk about a little winder and a shed , and when they 'd gone i found it and come in .

the glass was broke , and i only pulled the nail out .

i haven't done a mite of harm sleepin ' here two nights .

i was so tuckered out i couldn't go on nohow , though i tried a sunday . "

" and came back again ?

" no , ma'am , and i dunno as i care .

" you 're very kind , ma'am , i 'll be glad to work for you .

ain't you got a horse i can see to ? " asked the boy , eagerly .

" nothing but hens and a cat . "

" come right along , child .

run on , girls , and put the rest of the broth to warming , and fill the kettle .

" i 'm awful shabby , but i ain't dirty .

" put out your tongue . "

he did so , but took it in again to say quickly ,

mrs moss took the hint , and bade the boy follow her at once and bring his " things " with him .

" i ain't got any .

some big fellers took away my bundle , else i wouldn't look so bad .

there 's only this .

" that 's soon done ; it 's mine , and you 're welcome to the bits your queer dog ran off with .

come along , i must lock up , " and mrs moss clanked her keys suggestively .

while the new-comers were thus happily employed , mrs moss beckoned the little girls out of the room , and gave them both an errand .

any shoes , or a hat , or socks , would come handy , for the poor dear hasn't a whole thread on him . "

" gracious ! how could you do it ? " asked bab , looking as if she thought there was magic about .

" yes , ' m .

" if they abused you , of course i wouldn't .

tell the truth , and i 'll stand by you .

girls , you go for the milk . "

" oh , ma , do let us stay !

" i don't mind ' em , " said ben handsomely .

" very well , only hold your tongues .

chapter iv

his story

" we 've been to one !

it was splendid ! "

" how came you there ? " asked mrs moss , rather disturbed at the news .

" why , my father was the ' wild hunter of the plains . '

didn't you ever see or hear of him ? " said ben , as if surprised at her ignorance .

" didn't you see him ? " demanded ben , turning to the little girls .

was he any of them ? " answered betty , innocently .

" pooh ! he didn't belong to that lot .

" is he dead ? " asked mrs moss .

" i don't know .

wish i did , " and poor ben gave a gulp as if something rose in his throat and choked him .

" yes , ma'am .

i will , thank y' , " and with an effort the boy steadied his voice and plunged into the middle of his story .

" father was always good to me , and i liked bein ' with him after granny died .

i lived with her till i was seven ; then father took me , and i was trained for rider .

" oh , weren't you scared to pieces ? " asked betty , quaking at the mere thought .

" not a bit .

i liked it . "

" so should i ! " cried bab enthusiastically .

" what 's hanny bells and neroes ? " demanded betty .

" big elephants .

" didn't any one take your part ? " asked mrs moss .

" yes , ' m , ' most all the ladies did ; they were very good to me , ' specially ' melia .

" buck had five of ' em , cross old fellers , and he showed ' em off .

" who was miss st john ? " asked mrs moss , rather confused by the sudden introduction of new names and people .

" why she was ' melia , mrs smithers , the ringmaster 's wife .

his name wasn't montgomery any more'n hers was st . john .

they all change ' em to something fine on the bills , you know .

he told me he was goin ' to a great ridin ' school in new york and when he was fixed he 'd send for me .

i was to stay in the museum and help pedro with the trick business .

but father didn't send for me , and i began to have horrid times .

if it hadn't been for ' melia and sancho i would have cut away long before i did . "

" what did you have to do ? "

" lots of things , for times was dull and i was smart .

smithers said so , any way , and i had to tumble up lively when he gave the word .

i didn't mind doin ' tricks or showin ' off sancho , for father trained him , and he always did well with me .

but they wanted me to drink gin to keep me small , and i wouldn't , ' cause father didn't like that kind of thing .

" what a brute that man must have been !

why didn't ' melia put a stop to it ? " asked mrs moss , indignantly .

" she died , ma'am , and then there was no one left but sanch ; so i run away . "

" what did you mean to do ? "

but i 'd have starved if it hadn't been for sanch .

i left him tied up when i ran off , for fear they 'd say i stole him .

he belongs to father , and i hated to leave him ; but i did .

i hooked it one dark night , and never thought i 'd see him ag'in .

" cheer up , little master ; fathers may vanish and friends die , but i never will desert you . "

" if i can find something for you to do , would you like to stay here awhile ? "

" well , i 'll step over to the squire 's to-morrow to see what he says .

shouldn't wonder if he 'd take you for a chore-boy , if you are as smart as you say .

he always has one in the summer , and i haven't seen any round yet .

can you drive cows ? "

" i guess i will , ma'am , " answered ben , with sudden meekness , remembering the trials from which he had escaped .

very soon after this , he was sent off for a good night 's sleep in the back bedroom , with sancho to watch over him .

chapter v

ben gets a place

" did you rest well ? " asked mrs moss , nodding at him , fork in hand .

" guess i did !

never saw such a bed .

" fat ain't allowed in our profession , ma'am .

the thinner the better for tight-ropes and tumblin ' ; likewise bareback ridin ' and spry jugglin ' .

muscle 's the thing , and there you are . "

glad to see him in such good spirits , she pointed to the well outside , saying pleasantly ,

" well , then , just try your muscle by bringing in some fresh water . "

" just the nicest place that ever was .

" mike lets me ride the white one to water when the judge isn't round .

it 's such fun to go jouncing down the lane and back .

i do love horses ! " cried bab , bobbing up and down on the blue bench to imitate the motion of white jenny .

" don't you be scared , child .

" good-morning , ma'am .

what 's the matter now ?

young tramp been stealing your chickens ? "

" oh , dear no , sir ! " exclaimed mrs moss , as if shocked at the idea .

" ' most any thing , sir , to get my livin ' . "

" can you weed ? "

" never did , but i can learn , sir . "

" pull up all the beets and leave the pigweed , hey ?

can you pick strawberries ? "

" never tried any thing but eatin ' ' em , sir , "

" not likely to forget that part of the job .

can you ride a horse to plow ? "

" no antics allowed .

my horse is a fine fellow , and i 'm very particular about him . "

" i 'm too fond of horses to hurt ' em , sir .

as for ridin ' , i ain't afraid of any thing on four legs .

the king of morocco used to kick and bite like fun , but i could manage him first-rate . "

" then you 'd be able to drive cows to pasture , perhaps ? "

" i 've drove elephants and camels , ostriches and grizzly bears , and mules , and six yellow ponies all to oncet .

" don't raise elephants and camels much round here .

bears used to be plenty , but folks got tired of them .

mules are numerous , but we have the two-legged kind ; and as a general thing prefer shanghae fowls to ostriches . "

as they stopped , the squire tapped on the window behind him , saying , with an attempt at the former gruffness ,

" we 'll try you on cows awhile .

my man will show you where to drive them , and give you some odd jobs through the day .

i 'll see what you are good for , and send you word to-night , mrs moss .

the boy can sleep at your house , can't he ? "

" yes , indeed , sir .

he can go on doing it , and come up to his work just as well as not .

i can see to him then , and he won't be a care to any one , " said mrs moss , heartily .

" thanky ' , sir .

i will , sir .

here a red-headed irishman came to the door , and stood eying the boy with small favor while the squire gave his orders .

" pat , this lad wants work .

he 's to take the cows and go for them .

give him any light jobs you have , and let me know if he 's good for any thing . "

" yis , your honor .

" he 'll nip ye , if ye go botherin ' that way .

" i ain't afraid !

you won't hurt me , will you , old feller ?

the squire saw it all from the open window , and suspecting from pat 's face that trouble was brewing , called out ,

" let the lad harness duke , if he can .

i 'm going out directly , and he may as well try that as any thing . "

chapter vi

a circulating library

" i wish they 'd come .

he 's the dearest dog i ever saw ! " answered bab , who was fonder of animals than her sister .

" please to locate , gentlemen ; please to locate .

pronounced by all beholders the most remarkable youthful progidy agoin ' .

hooray ! here we are ! "

" come down and tell what you did up at the squire 's .

was he cross ?

did you have to work hard ?

do you like it ? " asked bab , when the noise had subsided .

" i did all sorts of jobs .

the old gentleman wasn't cross ; he gave me a dime , and i like him first-rate .

but i just hate ' carrots ; ' he swears at a feller , and fired a stick of wood at me .

guess i 'll pay him off when i get a chance . "

" look here , tell me about this , will you ?

what are these chaps up to ?

the ink has spoilt all but the picture and this bit of reading .

i want to know what it means .

take it to ' em , sanch . "

bab and betty picked it up and read it aloud in unison , while ben leaned from his perch to listen and learn .

" ' when day dawned , land was visible .

a pleasant land it was .

there were gay flowers , and tall trees with leaves and fruit , such as they had never seen before .

on the shore were unclad copper-colored men , gazing with wonder at the spanish ships .

" why , that 's columbus finding san salvador .

" no , i don't .

who was he any way ?

" i don't care a bit for your quackin ' boss , whoever he is .

tell about this fine feller with the ships ; i like him , " persisted ben .

" i 'd like to read some more .

would my ten cents buy a book ? " asked ben , anxious to learn a little since bab laughed at him .

" no , indeed !

" i do get my history in the evening , but you could have it mornings before school . "

" i shall have to go off early , so there won't be any chance .

yes , there will , i'll tell you how to do it .

let me read while i drive up the cows .

squire likes ' em to eat slow along the road , so 's to keep the grass short and save mowin ' .

pat said so , and i could do history instead of loafin ' round ! " cried ben full of this bright idea .

" how will i get my book back in time to recite ? " asked bab , prudently .

" oh , i 'll leave it on the window-sill , or put it inside the door as i go back .

i 'll be real careful , and just as soon as i earn enough , i 'll buy you a new one and take the old one .

will you ? "

" yes ; but i 'll tell you a nicer way to do .

you put it in my cubby-house , right at the corner of the wall nearest the big maple .

you 'll find a cunning place between the roots that stick up under the flat stone .

that 's my closet , and i keep things there .

it 's the best cubby of all , and we take turns to have it . "

" i 'll find it , and that 'll be a first-rate place , " said ben , much gratified .

" i could put my reading-book in sometimes , if you 'd like it .

" i'd like a ' rithmetic better .

" i 'll teach you that .

betty doesn't know much about sums .

but she spells splendidly , and is always at the head of her class .

" i never went to school , so that 's the reason i ain't smart .

i can write , though , better ' n some of the boys up at school .

i saw lots of names on the shed door .

" those are beautiful !

i can't make such curly ones .

who taught you to do it ? " asked bab , as she and betty walked up and down admiring them .

" horse blankets , " answered ben , soberly .

" what ! " cried both girls , stopping to stare .

" our horses all had their names on their blankets , and i used to copy ' em .

the wagons had signs , and i learned to read that way after father taught me my letters off the red and yellow posters .

first word i knew was lion , ' cause i was always goin ' to see old jubal in his cage .

father was real proud when i read it right off .

i can draw one , too . "

chapter vii

new friends trot in

at " the first settlements " he had to stop , for the schoolhouse was reached , and the book must be returned .

they told their mother , however , and she gave them leave to lend their books and encourage ben to love learning all they could .

she also proposed that they should drop patch-work , and help her make some blue shirts for ben .

but the little girls tried him with all they possessed , and he was mortified to find how ignorant he was .

now he saw nothing before him but days of patient and very uninteresting labor .

on the other hand , he was not obliged to stay a minute longer unless he liked .

while he paused to think of this , something happened which kept him from doing what he would have been sure to regret afterward .

" now , chevalita , if you have got a stone in your foot , i shall have to get off and take it out .

why don't you look where you step , and save me all this trouble ? "

" i wish you would .

" that was nicely done , and i 'm much obliged .

" no , ma'am ; i 'm new in these parts , and i only know where squire morris and mrs moss live . "

" i want to see both of them , so suppose you show me the way .

it 's a real pretty place ; bab and betty play there , and so do i . "

" tell me all about it .

are bab and betty your sisters ? "

at the school-house corner he stopped and said , spreading his arms like a sign-post ,

" that 's the way to the laylocks , and this is the way to the squire 's . "

i won't say good-by , because i shall see you again . "

when dinner was over , ben 's industrious fit left him , and he leisurely trundled his barrow to and fro till the guest departed .

leaning down , miss celia slipped a new quarter into his hand , saying ,

" lita wants me to give you this for taking the stone out of her foot . "

" the squire says you know a good deal about horses , so i suppose you understand the houyhnhnm language ?

" no , miss , i never went to school . "

" that is not taught there .

i 'll bring you a book all about it when i come back .

mr gulliver went to the horse-country and heard the dear things speak their own tongue . "

" my father has been on the prairies , where there 's lots of wild ones , but he didn't hear ' em speak .

i know what they want without talkin ' , " answered ben , suspecting a joke , but not exactly seeing what it was .

" i don't doubt it , but i won't forget the book .

" if she only had a red habit and a streamin ' white feather , she 'd look as fine as ' melia used to .

she is ' most as kind and rides ' most as well .

wonder where she 's goin ' to .

in the afternoon the lady was gone , the old house all open , and their mother sweeping , airing , in great spirits .

here ben found them , and was at once overwhelmed with a burst of news which excited him as much as it did them .

miss celia owned the house , was coming to liver there , and things were to be made ready as soon as possible .

" i 'm in such a hurry to see the peacocks and hear them scream .

" is a faytun a kind of a bird ?

i heard her say she could keep it in the coach-house , " asked betty , inquiringly .

" it 's a little carriage , " and ben rolled in the grass , much tickled at poor betty 's ignorance .

" of course it is .

" you can't tell me much about carriages .

but what i want to know is where lita will stay ? " said ben .

" oh , she 's to be up at the squire 's till things are fixed , and you are to bring her down .

squire came and told ma all about it , and said you were a boy to be trusted , for he had tried you . "

" won't it be fine to have the house open all the time ?

we can run over and see the pictures and books whenever we like .

" not unless you are invited , " answered their mother , locking the front door behind her .

" you 'd better begin to pick up your duds right away , for she won't want them cluttering round her front yard .

if you are not too tired , ben , you might rake round a little while i shut the blinds .

i want things to look nice and tidy . "

" whatever shall we do !

our attic is so hot and the shed so small , and the yard always full of hens or clothes .

we shall have to pack all our things away , and never play any more , " said bab , tragically .

" he won't have any time .

boys don't care for baby-houses , " returned bab , collecting her homeless goods and chattels with a dismal face .

chapter viii

miss celia's man

ben was not too tired , and the clearing-up began that very night .

the children were much disappointed , but were appeased by a promise that they should all go to pay their respects in the morning .

" she 's all right , miss , lita is ; and i can bring her over any minute you say . "

" i shall want her at four o'clock .

" i want to thank you for helping put things in such nice order .

i see signs of busy hands and feet both inside the house and all about the grounds , and i am very much obliged . "

" i raked the beds , " said ben , proudly eying the neat ovals and circles .

miss celia guessed the meaning of that sigh , and made haste to turn it into a smile by asking anxiously ,

" what has become of the playthings ?

i don't see them anywhere . "

" ma said you wouldn't want our duds round , so we took them all home , " answered betty , with a wistful face .

" but i do want them round .

i like dolls and toys almost as much as ever , and quite miss the little ' duds ' from porch and path .

suppose you come to tea with me to-night and bring some of them back ?

i should be very sorry to rob you of your pleasant play-place . "

" oh , yes , ' m , we 'd love to come ! and we 'll bring our best things . "

" bring what you like , and i 'll hunt up my toys , too .

" thank you , miss .

i told them you 'd be willing they should come sometimes .

" so do i , " echoed miss celia , heartily .

grandpa lived here then , and we had fine times ; but now they are all gone except us two . "

" so i will ! and you shall be my little sisters .

bab gave a satisfied nod , and fell to examining the rings upon the white hand that held her own .

can't we wear our sunday frocks ?

a splendid new net for lita .

and she likes dolls .

goody , goody , won't it be fun ! "

" no , ben , the great gate is not to be opened till next october .

but she did not start , even when ben had shaken out the new duster and laid it neatly over her knees .

" isn't it all right now ? " asked the boy , anxiously .

" not quite ; i need one thing more .

" no , miss , i don't see " he began , much mortified to think he had forgotten any thing .

he grew red with pleasure , but stammered , as he hesitated , looking down at his bare feet and blue shirt ,

" i ain't fit , miss ; and i haven't got any other clothes . "

up with you , ben , my man , and let us be off , or we shall be late for our party . "

" my brother has been ill , and i have brought him here to get well .

i want to do all sorts of things to amuse him , and i think you can help me in many ways .

would you like to work for me instead of the squire ?

that will be one thing you can do .

another is to take care of his pets till he is able to do it himself .

then you can tell him your adventures , and talk to him as only a boy can talk to a boy .

how does that sort of work look to you ? "

" first-rate !

miss celia laughed , and rather damped his ardor by her next words .

" i don't know what thorny would say to hear you call him ' little . '

he is fourteen , and appears to get taller and taller every day .

" i 'm used to that .

you shall be well fed and clothed , kindly treated and honestly paid , if you like to stay with me . "

" i know i shall like it till father comes , anyway .

squire wrote to smithers right off , but hasn't got any answer yet .

he was also allowed to drive home , while his new mistress read her letters .

one particularly long one , with a queer stamp on the envelope , she read twice , never speaking a word till they got back .

then ben was sent off with lita and the squire 's letters , promising to get his chores done in time for tea .

chapter ix

a happy tea

" isn't it perfectly lovely ? " whispered betty , who had never seen any thing like it before .

" i just wish sally could see us now , " answered bab , who had not yet forgiven her enemy .

" if they make a noise , i 'll go in .

don't see what you asked them for . "

" to amuse you , dear .

i am all ready , however , and we will sit down at once .

this is my brother thornton , and we are all going to be very good friends by-and-by .

here ' s the droll dog , thorny ; isn't he nice and curly ? "

" what a wise old fellow he is !

it seems as if he could almost speak , doesn't it ? "

" he can .

say ' how do you do , ' sanch , " commanded ben , relenting at once , for he saw admiration in thorny 's face .

at last , a moment came when temptation proved too strong for him .

thorny forgot both sulks and shyness after that , and suddenly began to talk .

a small boy was suddenly discovered standing in the path behind them , regarding the company with an air of solemn interest .

before miss celia could speak , the stranger calmly announced his mission .

" i have come to see the peacocks . "

" you shall presently " began miss celia , but got no further , for the child added , coming a step nearer ,

" and the wabbits . "

" yes , but first won't you "

" and the curly dog , " continued the small voice , as another step brought the resolute young personage nearer .

" there he is . "

a pause , a long look ; then a new demand with the same solemn tone , the same advance .

" i wish to hear the donkey bray . "

" certainly , if he will . "

" and the peacocks scream . "

" any thing more , sir ? "

" i will have some of that . "

" i am papa 's boy .

he makes a paper .

i help him a great deal . "

" what is his name ? "

" mr barlow .

we live in springfield , " volunteered the new guest , unbending a trifle , thanks to the charms of the cake .

" have you a mamma , dear ? "

" she takes naps .

i go to walk then . "

" without leave , i suspect .

have you no brothers or sisters to go with you ? " asked miss celia , wondering where the little runaway belonged .

" i have two brothers , thomas merton barlow and harry sanford barlow .

i am alfred tennyson barlow .

we don't have any girls in our house , only bridget . "

" don't you go to school ? "

" the boys do .

i don't learn any greeks and latins yet .

i dig , and read to mamma , and make poetrys for her . "

" couldn't you make some for me ?

i 'm very fond of poetrys , " proposed miss celia , seeing that this prattle amused the children .

" i guess i couldn't make any now ; i made some coming along .

i will say it to you . "

and , crossing his short legs , the inspired babe half said , half sung the following poem : ( @number@ )

( @number@ ) these lines were actually composed by a six-year old child .

" that 's all of that one .

i made another one when i digged after the turtle .

i will say that .

sweet , sweet days are passing o'er my happy home .

passing on swift wings through the valley of life .

cold are the days when winter comes again .

" it comes out of my head .

i make lots of them , " began the imperturbable one , yielding more and more to the social influences of the hour .

" is that the way peacocks scream ? "

the children were in fits of laughter , and miss celia could hardly make herself heard as she answered merrily ,

" no , dear ; that is the donkey asking you to come and see him : will you go ?

" i guess i couldn't stop now .

mamma might want me . "

and , without another word , the discomfited poet precipitately retired , leaving his cherished sticks behind him .

at sight of that , betty stretched out her arms to receive it with a cry of delight .

thorny poked about to find a certain curious puzzle which he could put together without a mistake after long study .

" he looks as if he knew them , " said thorny , amused at the dog 's eager whine and scratch .

" he does .

" isn't that clever ?

can he do any more ? " cried thorny , delighted .

" he has been carefully trained .

do you know how it was done ? " she asked , when sancho lay down to rest and be caressed by the children .

" no , ' m , father did it when i was a little chap , and never told me how .

i used to help teach him to dance , and that was easy enough , he is so smart .

i can't do half the tricks , but i 'm goin ' to learn when father comes back .

he 'd rather have me show off sanch than ride , till i 'm older . "

" i invited the two dogs to dine and spend the evening ; and they came with their master , who was a frenchman .

he had been a teacher in a deaf and dumb school , and thought he would try the same plan with dogs .

he had also been a conjurer , and now was supported by blanche and her daughter lyda .

so a table was arranged with a lamp on it , and round the table were laid the letters of the alphabet painted on cards .

some one wrote pferd , the german for horse , on a slate .

blanche looked at it and pretended to read it , putting by the slate with her paw when she had done .

' now give us the french for that word , ' said the man ; and she instantly brought cheval .

' now , as you are at an englishman 's house , give it to us in english ; ' and she brought me horse .

then we spelt some words wrong , and she corrected them with wonderful accuracy .

" then lyda took her place on the table , and did sums on the slate with a set of figures .

also mental arithmetic , which was very pretty .

' now , lyda , ' said her master , ' i want to see if you understand division .

lyda very decidedly replied to this with a cipher .

' but , suppose you divided your sugar with me , how many lumps would you give me ? '

lyda took up the figure five and politely presented it to her master . "

" wasn't she smart ?

sanch can't do that , " exclaimed ben , forced to own that the french doggie beat his cherished pet .

" he is not too old to learn .

" oh , yes !

what else did they do ? "

lyda was beaten , and hid under the sofa , evidently feeling very badly about it .

" wouldn't i have liked to see ' em and find out how they were taught !

chapter x

a heavy trouble

" thank you , ma'am , that 's a tip-top book , ' specially the pictures .

" ain't that black one a beauty ?

" you may take a turn round my field on lita any day .

" needn't wait for that .

i 'd rather ride bareback .

" no ; i brought the book , but in the hurry of my tea-party forgot to unpack it .

i 'll hunt it up to-night .

remind me , thorny . "

" there , now , i 've forgotten something , too !

squire sent you a letter ; and i 'm having such a jolly time , i never thought of it . "

" what heaps she knows !

more than teacher , i do believe ; and she doesn't mind how many questions we ask .

i like folks that will tell me things , " added bab , whose inquisitive mind was always hungry .

" i like that boy first-rate , and i guess he likes me , though i didn't know where nantucket ought to go .

he wants me to teach him to ride when he 's on his pins again , and miss celia says i may .

" won't we have splendid times ?

she says we may come over every night and play with her and thorny . "

" and i 'm going to be her boy , and stay here all the time .

i guess the letter i brought was a recommend from the squire . "

she is so nicely asleep , it is a pity to wake her .

good by till to-morrow , little neighbors , " continued miss celia , and dismissed the girls with a kiss .

" not yet ; i 've several things to settle with my new man .

tell mother he will come by-and-by . "

" the squire has heard about your father , and this is the letter mr smithers sends . "

" he went after the mustangs , and sent some home , but could not come himself . "

" went further on , i s'pose .

yes , he said he might go as far as california , and if he did he 'd send for me .

i 'd like to go there ; it 's a real splendid place , they say . "

" he has gone further away than that , to a lovelier country than california , i hope . "

and miss celia 's eyes turned to the deep sky , where early stars were shining .

" didn't he send for me ?

where 's he gone ?

" i guess i could , but you don't mean it ?

" my poor little boy , i wish i could say no . "

there was no need of any more words , no need of tears or kind arms around him .

he knew he was an orphan now , and turned instinctively to the old friend who loved him best .

throwing himself down beside his dog , ben clung about the curly neck , sobbing bitterly ,

" oh , sanch , he 's never coming back again ; never , never any more ! "

presently the sobbing ceased , and ben whispered , without looking up ,

" tell me all about it ; i 'll be good . "

" will you go , ben ? " asked miss celia , hoping to distract his mind from his grief by speaking of other things .

" no , no ; i 'd rather tramp and starve .

he 's awful hard to me and sanch ; and he 'd be worse , now father 's gone .

don't send me back !

let me stay here ; folks are good to me ; there 's nowhere else to go . "

" you shall stay here , and no one shall take you away against your will .

but ben put his arm over his face , and sobbed out with a fresh burst of grief ,

" you can't , you didn't know him !

oh , daddy ! daddy ! if i 'd only seen you jest once more ! "

chapter xi

sunday

" we must put on mourning , old feller .

he could find nothing in his limited wardrobe with which to decorate sanch except a black cambric pocket .

" one pocket is enough ; i sha'n't want anything but a han'k'chi'f to-day . "

" i want you to drive me to church by-and-by .

" you will do very well when i have given you a touch .

god doesn't mind our clothes , ben , and the poor are as welcome as the rich to him .

" that was a pleasant way to rest .

i often do so , and we will go to the grove this afternoon and try it .

will you come and try it , ben , dear ? "

" it 's mighty pretty , but it will fly off , just as the others did .

i never saw such a chap as that spider is .

by-and-by you will see that pretty trap full of insects , and mr spider will lay up his provisions for the day .

after that he doesn't care how soon his fine web blows away . "

he dives down the minute i touch the gate , but comes up after i 've kept still a minute .

i like to watch him .

but he must hate me , for i took away a nice green fly and some little millers one day . "

" did you ever hear the story of bruce and his spider ?

most children know and like that , " said miss celia , seeing that he seemed interested .

" ah , but you also know many things which they do not .

" i know he would ; so we will try , benny .

but it was not good for you , and we will do our best to find something safer .

i 've got two boys now , and i want to do my duty by both . "

" celia !

i can't find a bit of a shoe-string , and i wish you 'd come and do my neck-tie . "

" lazy boy , come down here , and bring one of your black ties with you .

you mustn't mind his fidgets and dawdling ways .

he 'll get over them soon , and then i know you two will be good friends . "

" oh , don't they ?

" i should like to know what this is for ? " demanded thorny , in a dignified tone , presenting a black tie .

" for my other boy .

" well , i like that " began thorny , in a tone that contradicted his words .

" is ben going to black my boots before he goes ? with a glance at the new shoes which caused them to creak uneasily .

" no ; he is going to black mine , if he will be so kind .

you won't need boots for a week yet , so we won't waste any time over them .

you will find every thing in the shed , ben ; and at ten you may go for lita . "

" i was only thinking , you looked as if "

" as if what ?

don't be afraid , " she said , for ben paused and fumbled at the reins , feeling half ashamed to tell his fancy .

" you were saying prayers , " he added , wishing she had not caught him .

" so i was .

don't you , when you are happy ?

" no , 'm .

i 'm glad , but i don't say any thing . "

" words are not needed ; but they help , sometimes , if they are sincere and sweet .

did you never learn any prayers , ben ? "

" only ' now i lay me . '

grandma taught me that when i was a little mite of a boy . "

" i will teach you another , the best that was ever made , because it says all we need ask . "

" our folks wasn't very pious ; they didn't have time , i s'pose . "

" i wonder if you know just what it means to be pious ? "

" goin ' to church , and readin ' the bible , and sayin ' prayers and hymns , ain't it ? "

" then you are ! " and ben looked as if her acts had been a better definition than her words .

that is a great help , as you will find when you begin to try it . "

it 's dreadful hard , though , when i get mad .

' hang it ! ' don't seem half so good if i want to let off steam . "

" this is a holy place ; remember that , and uncover at the door . "

much abashed , ben followed to the pew , where the squire and his wife soon joined them .

" hope he won't nestle round in meeting-time , " whispered mrs allen , composing herself in the corner with much rustling of black silk .

so he folded his arms and sat like a statue , with nothing moving but his eyes .

the good old minister read the sixteenth chapter of samuel , and then proceeded to preach a long and somewhat dull sermon .

mrs allen gave him a peppermint , and he dutifully ate it , though it was so hot it made his eyes water .

ben clutched the book and gladly obeyed , though the title , " scripture narratives , " did not look very inviting .

then his eye fell on the picture of a slender youth cutting a large man 's head off , while many people stood looking on .

" how do you like church ? " asked the young lady , as they drove away .

" first-rate ! " answered ben , heartily .

" especially the sermon ? "

ben laughed , and said , with an affectionate glance at the little book in her lap ,

" i couldn't understand it ; but that story was just elegant .

there 's more ; and i 'd admire to read ' em , if i could . "

" i 'm glad you like them ; and we will keep the rest for another sermon-time .

thorny used to do so , and always called this his ' pew book . '

" yes , ' m .

wasn't david a fine feller ?

" now , you have tried my way this morning , and we will try yours this afternoon .

come over about four and help me roll thorny down to the grove .

" can i take sanch along ?

" yes , indeed ; let the clever bow-wow have a good time and enjoy sunday as much as i want my boys to . "

but he had time to get dismal again , and long for four o'clock ; because he had nothing to do except whittle .

" thorny , i want you to be good to ben , and amuse him in some quiet way this afternoon .

" not much fun in talking to that horsey fellow .

" you can be very agreeable when you like ; and ben has had enough of me for this time .

" here goes , then !

" waiting with the chair .

randa has gone on with the hammock .

be a dear boy , and i 'll do as much for you some day . "

" don't see how you can be a dear boy .

you 're the best sister that ever was ; so i 'll love all the scallywags you ask me to . "

" drive on , benjamin .

i don't know the way , so i can't direct .

don't spill me out , that 's all i 've got to say . "

" a regular summer house ! " said thorny , surveying it with approval .

" what 's the matter , randa ?

" my patience , what a spry boy ! " exclaimed randa , admiringly .

" you can go , randa .

" i 'll be whew if i do ! " whistled ben , stopping an oath just in time .

" it is not polite to whistle in company , " said thorny , with great dignity .

" miss celia told me to .

i 'll say ' confound it , ' if you like that better , " answered ben , as a sly smile twinkled in his eyes .

" oh , i see !

she ' s told you about it ?

well , then , if you want to please her , you 'll learn a hymn right off .

thorny spoke in a hearty , blunt way , which suited ben much better than the other , and he responded pleasantly ,

" if you won't be grand i won't be peppery .

nobody is going to boss me but miss celia ; so i 'll learn hymns if she wants me to . "

" ' in the soft season of thy youth ' is a good one to begin with .

i learned it when i was six .

nice thing ; better have it . "

and thorny offered the book like a patriarch addressing an infant .

" the earth affords no lovelier fight than a religious youth . "

" i don't believe i could ever get that into my head straight .

haven't you got a plain one any where round ? " he asked , turning over the leaves with some anxiety .

" look at the end , and see if there isn't a piece of poetry pasted in.

you learn that , and see how funny celia will look when you say it to her .

she wrote it when she was a girl , and somebody had it printed for other children .

i like it best , myself . "

" my kingdom

a little kingdom i possess , where thoughts and feelings dwell ; and very hard i find the task of governing it well .

for passion tempts and troubles me , a wayward will misleads , and selfishness its shadow casts on all my words and deeds .

how can i keep a sunny soul to shine along life 's way ?

how can i tune my little heart to sweetly sing all day ?

" dear father , help me with the love that casteth out my fear !

" i do not ask for any crown , but that which all may will nor seek to conquer any world except the one within .

" i like that ! " said ben , emphatically , when he had read the little hymn .

" i understand it , and i 'll learn it right away .

don't see how she could make it all come out so nice and pretty . "

" i made some poetry once .

" very good !

you must say them to celia , too .

she likes to hear lita praised .

you and she and that little barlow boy ought to try for a prize , as the poets did in athens .

i 'll tell you all about it some time .

now , you peg away at your hymn . "

both boys were talking busily , and thorny laughed from time to time , as if his comrade 's chat was very amusing .

" see what a jolly cane ben cut for me !

he 's great fun if you don't stroke him the wrong way , " said the elder lad , flourishing his staff as they came up .

" what have you been doing down there ?

you look so merry , i suspect mischief , " asked miss celia , surveying them front the steps .

" we 've been as good as gold .

i talked , and ben learned a hymn to please you .

come , young man , say your piece , " said thorny , with an expression of virtuous content .

" i feel very proud to think you chose that , and to hear you say it as if it meant something to you .

i was only fourteen when i wrote it ; but it came right out of my heart , and did me good .

i hope it may help you a little . "

chapter xii

good times

every one was very kind to ben when his loss was known .

the squire wrote to mr smithers that the boy had found friends and would stay where he was .

mrs moss consoled him in her motherly way , and the little girls did their very best to " be good to poor benny . "

no more grubbing now , but daily tasks which never grew tiresome , they were so varied and so light .

he had a little room in the old house , newly papered with hunting scenes , which he was never tired of admiring .

wonderful discoveries were made , pretty places were named , plans were drawn , and all sorts of merry adventures befell the pilgrims .

" a what ? " asked ben , pushing back his hat with such an air of amazement that thorny rather loftily inquired :

" don't you know what an amanuensis is ? "

" well , no ; not unless it 's some relation to an anaconda .

shouldn't think you 'd want one of them , anyway . "

" well , you needn't laugh at a feller .

" the idea of wanting an anaconda tickled me so , i couldn't help it .

i dare say you 'd have got me one if i had asked for it , you are such an obliging chap . "

" of course i would if i could .

shouldn't be surprised if you did some day , you want such funny things , " answered ben , appeased by the compliment .

" i 'll try the amanuensis first .

it 's only some one to write for me ; i get so tired doing it without a table .

you write well enough , and it will be good for you to know something about botany .

i intend to teach you , ben , " said thorny , as if conferring a great favor .

" no , it isn't ; it 's regularly jolly ; and you 'd be no end of a help if you only knew a little .

" shouldn't . "

" there are quantities of them all round us ; and i want to analyze one .

see if you can't guess . "

" s'pose you mean this ?

i don't call ' em rhinocerus bulburses , so i wasn't sure . "

and , taking the hint as quickly as it was given , ben presented the buttercup as if he knew all about it .

" you guessed that remarkably well .

" here you are , sir , " he answered with a chuckle and thorny took his turn at being astonished now .

" how the dickens did you know that ? "

" try it again , and may be you 'll find out , " laughed ben .

diving hap-hazard into his book , thorny demanded a " trifolium pratense . "

" ah , i 've caught you !

not fair to tell , celia .

now , ben , you 've got to learn all about this buttercup , to pay for cheating . "

" sit there and write what i tell you , " ordered thorny , with all the severity of a strict schoolmaster .

" phaenogamous .

exogenous .

angiosperm .

polypetalous .

stamens , more than ten .

stamens on the receptacle .

pistils , more than one and separate .

leaves without stipules .

crowfoot family .

genus ranunculus .

botanical name , ranunculus bulbosus . "

" jerusalem ! what a flower !

pistols and crows ' feet , and polly put the kettles on , and angy sperms and all the rest of ' em !

" yes , you will ; you 'll learn that all by heart , and then i shall give you a dandelion to do .

you 'll like that , because it means dent de lion , or lion 's tooth ; and i 'll show them to you through my glass .

" it tells all about it in my book here , ' gray 's botany for young people . '

come , now , do you know the difference between a toadstool and a mushroom ? "

" no , i don't . "

" then i 'll teach you some day .

come along , and learn right away , and never get into scrapes like most fellows . "

chapter xiii

somebody runs away

" ' school is done , now we 'll have fun , "

a grand match was planned for the fourth of july ; but when the club met , things were found to be unpropitious .

so they lay about on the grass in the shade of the big elm , languidly discussing their various wrongs and disappointments .

" it 's the meanest fourth i ever saw .

" last year jimmy got his arm blown off when they fired the old cannon .

" ain't going to be fireworks either , unless somebody 's barn burns up .

" i wouldn't give two cents for such a slow old place as this .

" much you know about it , old chap .

it 's hard work , i can tell you , and that wouldn't suit such a lazy-bones .

" may as well ; don't see much else to do , " sighed sam , rising like a young elephant .

" look here , read it !

" look out for the big show , " read sam .

" van amburgh & co 's new great golden menagerie , circus and colosseum , will exhibit at berryville , @date@ at @number@ and @number@ precisely .

admission @number@ cents , children half-price .

don't forget day and date .

h frost , manager . "

while sam read , the other boys had been gloating over the enticing pictures which covered the bill .

" you never would , it 's only a picture !

" foot it with billy .

it 's only four miles , and we 've got lots of time , so we can take it easy .

ben calmly produced a dollar bill and waved it defiantly before this doubter , observing with dignity :

" i 've got money enough to treat the whole crowd , if i choose to , which i don't . "

" then come along and have a jolly time with sam and me .

" what are you stopping for ? " demanded sam , ready to be off , that they might " take it easy . "

" don't know what to do with sancho .

" let cy take him back .

" no , i won't ; i don't like him .

" there ' s bab ; she 'll do it .

come here , sissy ; ben wants you , " called sam , beckoning to a small figure just perching on the fence .

down it jumped and came fluttering up , much elated at being summoned by the captain of the sacred nine .

miss celia said i might do what i pleased , all day .

you remember , now . "

" where are you going ?

ma will want to know , " she said , as curious as a magpie all at once .

" never you mind ; girls can't know every thing .

you just catch hold of this and run along home .

" he 's going to the circus , " whispered fay , hoping to make mischief .

" circus !

" you couldn't walk four miles , " began ben .

" yes , i could , as easy as not . "

" you haven't got any money . "

" you have ; i saw you showing your dollar , and you could pay for me , and ma would pay it back . "

" can't wait for you to get ready . "

" i 'll go as i am .

i don't care if it is my old hat , " and bab jerked it on to her head .

" your mother wouldn't like it . "

" she won't like your going , either . "

" she isn't my missis now .

miss celia wouldn't care , and i 'm going , any way . "

" do , do take me , ben !

" don't you bother ; we don't want any girls tagging after us , " said sam , walking off to escape the annoyance .

" of course it wouldn't .

i 'd like to see her walking eight miles .

i don't mind paying for her ; it 's getting her there and back .

girls are such a bother when you want to knock round .

no , bab , you can't go .

travel right home and don't make a fuss .

come along , boys ; it ' s most eleven , and we don't want to walk fast . "

no use now .

i 'll take the girls a lot of candy and make it all right . "

as they stood refreshing themselves , a baker 's cart came jingling by ; and sam proposed a hasty lunch while they rested .

i want to have a good go at every thing , especially the lions , " said sam , beginning on his last cookie .

" that was a cow mooing .

don't you be a donkey , bill .

" i wish you 'd hurry up , sam .

folks are going in now .

" hold on a minute , while i get one more drink .

such a shabby , tired-looking couple as they were !

" oh , sanch , what shall i do if they don't come along ?

" now you expect to go to the circus , i suppose . "

" course i do .

ben said he didn't mind paying , if i could get there without bothering him , and i have ; and i 'll go home alone .

i ain't afraid .

sanch will take care of me , if you won't , " answered bab , stoutly .

" what do you suppose your mother will say to you ? " asked ben , feeling much reproached by her last words .

" but you haven't any money . "

" oh , i 'd ask somebody to pay for me .

i ' m so little , it wouldn't be much . "

" nobody would do it ; so you 'd have to stay outside , you see . "

" no , i wouldn't .

i thought of that , and planned how i 'd fix it if i didn't find ben .

i 'd make sanch do his tricks , and get a quarter that way ; so , now ! answered bab , undaunted by any obstacle .

" i do believe she would !

" i 'll take care of her .

it was very naughty to come , bab ; but , so long as you did , you needn't worry about any thing .

" i thought you would ; " and bab folded her arms , as if she had nothing further to do but enjoy herself .

" are you hungry ? " asked billy , fishing out several fragments of gingerbread .

" where did you get that ? " he asked , poking it with his foot .

" in a swampy place , coming along .

" was it ? " asked the boys all at once , and with intense interest .

" no ; only a snake , and i don't care for snakes .

i picked some of that , it was so green and pretty .

thorny likes queer leaves and berries , you know , " answered bab , " spatting , " down her rough locks .

" well , he won't like that , nor you either ; it 's poisonous , and i shouldn't wonder if you 'd got poisoned , bab .

don't touch it !

" will it break out on me ' fore i get to the circus ? "

" not for a day or so , i guess ; but it 's bad when it does come . "

" i don't care , if i see the animals first .

chapter xiv

somebody gets lost

but people were beginning to go in , and it was impossible to delay when they came round to the entrance .

" you 'd better not go to patting them , or you 'll get your hands clawed up .

" we 'd better hurry along and get good seats before folks begin to crowd .

i want to sit near the curtain and see if any of smitthers 's lot are ' round . "

" i know , old boy , i know ; but it can't be done .

we 've quit the business and must just look on .

" he wants to go and cut up , don't he ? " said billy , " and so do you , i guess .

wish you were going to .

wouldn't it be fun to see ben showing off in there ? "

" done it a hundred times , and i 'd just like to show you what i can do .

" don't believe a word of it , and sanch and i could go this minute and get taken on , i 'll bet .

we are a valuable couple , and i could prove it if i chose to , " began ben , getting excited and boastful .

" how splendid ! " sighed bab , as they went dashing out , to tumble off almost before the horses stopped .

" that 's nothing !

" what are ' crowbackic exercises ' ? " asked billy , thirsting for information .

" we 'll rig up a spring-board and try it , " said billy , fired with emulation .

" where 'll you get your elephants ? " asked sam , scornfully , for gymnastics were not in his line .

" i 'm so glad ; now sancho will like it .

if ever a dog expressed by look and attitude , " pooh !

" it 's too bad , when he knows more than all those chaps put together .

i 'd give any thing if i could show him off as i used to .

folks always like it , and i was ever so proud of him .

" i really don't know what this child is fit for , except mischief , like a monkey . "

" i 'll fix the clothes-line when i get home , and show ma how nice it is .

men on the highest seats popped their heads through the openings in the tent-cover and reported that a heavy shower was coming up .

many left in haste , and the performers hurried to finish as soon as possible .

" i 'm going now before the crowd comes , so i can get a lift home .

i see two or three folks i know , so i 'm off ; " and , climbing hastily down , sam vanished without further ceremony .

" better wait till the shower is over .

" i wouldn't miss the tigers for any thing .

see , they are pulling in the cart now , and the shiny man is all ready with his gun .

" bless you , no , child ; it ' s only powder to make a noise and scare ' em .

" it makes me sick ; always did .

" oh , i 'm so tired , " groaned bab , getting up with a long stretch of arms and legs .

" you 'll be tireder before you get home , i guess .

" i said i wouldn't be a bother , and i won't .

i 'll walk right home this minute .

i ain't afraid of thunder , and the rain won't hurt these old clothes .

" my head aches like fury .

" oh , uncle eben , i 'm so glad you found me !

i walked over , and it 's raining , and i don't feel well .

" don't see what your mother was about to let you come so far alone , and you just over scarlet fever .

" i didn't come alone .

sam got a ride , and can't you tuck ben and bab in too ?

they ain't very big , either of them , " whispered billy , anxious to serve his friends now that he was provided for himself .

" can't do it , any way .

got to pick up mother at the corner , and that will be all i can carry .

" ben , i 'm real sorry there isn't room for you .

" cut away , and don't mind us .

" no use for us to get knocked about in that scrimmage .

we 'll wait a minute and then go out easy .

it 's a regular rouser , and you 'll be as wet as a sop before we get home .

hope you 'll like that ? " added ben , looking out at the heavy rain poring down as if it never meant to stop .

" i like circuses so much !

" i see a fellow i used to know .

may be he can tell me something about father .

don't you stir till i come back . "

then he was off like a shot , and bab saw him run after a man with a bucket who bad been watering the zebra .

sancho tried to follow , but was checked with an impatient ,

" no , you can't go !

what a plague you are , tagging around when people don't want you . "

" oh , luckless bab ! why did you turn your back ?

" it was bascum , but he didn't know any thing .

why , where 's sanch ? " said ben , returning .

ben whistled , called and searched in vain , till one of the lounging men said , lazily ,

" if you are looking after the big poodle you 'd better go outside ; i saw him trotting off with another dog . "

away rushed ben , with bab following , regardless of the rain , for both felt that a great misfortune had befallen them .

" i 'm dreadful sorry .

" if he doesn't come back , don't you speak to me for a year .

now , i 'm going home . "

and , feeling that words were powerless to express his emotions , ben walked away , looking as grim as a small boy could .

wagons passed , but all were full , and no one offered a ride .

men and boys went by with rough jokes on the forlorn pair , for rain soon made them look like young tramps .

" she is a naughty girl , but i guess she is about sorry enough now .

when we get to that sign-post i 'll speak to her , only i won't forgive her till sanch comes back . "

" oh dear , oh dear !

" don't cry so , babby ; i was real cross , and i 'm sorry .

" shake me again , if you want to ; i know i was very bad to tag and lose sanch .

" i don't believe i ever shall .

i'm so tired my legs won't go , and the water in my boots makes them feel dreadfully .

i wish that boy would wheel me a piece .

" hullo , brown ! " responded the other , arresting his squeaking progress with signs of surprise at the moist tableau before him .

" where goin ' ? " asked ben with masculine brevity .

" got to carry this home , hang the old thing . "

" where to ? "

" batchelor 's , down yonder , " and the boy pointed to a farm-house at the foot of the next hill .

" goin ' that way , take it right along . "

" what for ? " questioned the prudent youth , distrusting such unusual neighborliness .

" i 'm stronger than most fellers of my size .

try , if i ain't , " and ben squared off in such scientific style that joslyn responded with sudden amiability ,

" all right , let's see you do it . "

but presently the road grew sandy , began to ascend , and the load seemed to grow heavier with every step .

" i 'll get out now .

" sit still .

he said i couldn't .

" did ever ye see the like of that now ?

ah , ha !

" the streets were so wide , and the lanes were so narry , he brought his wife home on a little wheelbarry , "

to have his enemy behold him then and there was the last bitter drop in poor ben 's cup of humiliation .

" go along home , and don't mind him . "

" did billy tell you about us ? " asked bab , gladly following toward this welcome refuge .

" faith he did , and the squire sent me to fetch ye home quiet and aisy .

when ye found me , i 'd jist stopped here to borry a light for me pipe .

" don't you wish you could ?

" bedad , and i won't then .

it 's lively ye are ; but four legs is better than two , as ye 'll find this night , me young man . "

chapter xv

ben's ride

great was the mourning for sancho , because his talents and virtues made him universally admired and beloved .

ben was inconsolable , and sternly said it served bab right when the dogwood poison affected both face and hands .

" i don't think it 's fair that i should have so much trouble , first losing father and then sanch .

" oh , come now , don't give up so , old fellow .

" try some other sort of pet , then .

you may have any of mine you like .

have the peacocks ; do now , " urged thorny , full of boyish sympathy and good-will .

" they are dreadful pretty , but i don't seem to care about em , thank you , " replied the mourner .

" they don't love a fellow as a dog does ; all they care for is stuff to eat and dirt to burrow in .

i 'm sick of rabbits . "

" so am i !

guess we 'll have an auction and sell out .

would jack be a comfort to you ?

if he will , you may have him .

i 'm so well now , i can walk , or ride anything , " added thorny , in a burst of generosity .

" jack couldn't be with me always , as sanch was , and i couldn't keep him if i had him . "

i do wish i had something you wanted , i 'd so love to give it to you . "

" by jove !

i 'll find that dog , if he is out of the ground .

keep your spirits up , my lad , and we 'll have the dear old fellow back yet . "

with which cheering prophecy thorny went off to rack his brains as to what could be done about the matter .

" it is warm , and you look tired .

meantime , miss celia had come out , and was talking italian to giacomo in a way that delighted his homesick heart .

" i 'd rather like to tramp round with him for a week or so .

" i tink i see droll dog like he , way off in new york .

" who had him ? " asked thorny , full of interest at once .

" a man i not know .

cross fellow what beat him when he do letters bad . "

" did he spell his name ? " cried ben , breathlessly .

" no ; that for why man beat him .

he name generale , and he go spell sancho all times , and cry when whip fall on him .

" it 's sanch ! let's go and get him now , right off ! cried ben , in a fever to be gone .

" a hundred miles away , and no clue but this man 's story ?

" what sort of a dog was it ?

a large , curly , white poodle , with a queer tail ? " she asked of giacomo .

" there , you see how mistaken we were .

dogs are often named sancho , especially spanish poodles ; for the original sancho was a spaniard , you know .

this dog is not ours , and i 'm so sorry . "

the boys ' faces had fallen dismally as their hope was destroyed ; but ben would not give up .

" it may be my dog , they color ' em as we used to paint over trick horses .

" but the black dog had no tail , " began thorny , longing to be convinced , but still doubtful .

ben shivered as if the mere thought hurt him , as he said , in a grim tone ,

" they might have cut sanch 's off . "

" oh , no ! no ! they mustn't , they wouldn't !

how could any one be so wicked ? " cried bab and betty , horrified at the suggestion .

" he no your dog ?

sorry i not find him for you .

addio , signorina !

grazia , signor !

buon giorno , buon giorno ! " and , kissing his hand , the italian shouldered organ and monkey , ready to go .

much relieved by this performance , the boys waited anxiously for a reply , and when it came found little comfort in it .

cousin horace had done his duty like a man , but regretted that he could only report a failure .

knew nothing of his history , and was very sorry to lose him , for he was a remarkably clever beast .

" good for horace !

" may be the end of that dog , but not of mine .

i 'll bet he ran away ; and if it was sanch , he 'll come home .

you see if he doesn't ! " cried ben , refusing to believe that all was over .

" a hundred wiles off ?

oh , he couldn't find you without help , smart as he is , " answered thorny , incredulously .

ben looked discouraged , but miss celia cheered him up again by saying ,

" yes , he could .

that was very wonderful , but true ; and i 've no doubt that if sanch is alive he will come home .

let us hope so , and be happy , while we wait . "

but weeks passed , and still no sanch .

" lita , where 's miss celia ? " he asked , looking straight into the intelligent eyes , which were troubled but not wild .

" hi , there !

mrs moss !

something has happened to miss celia , and i 'm going to find her .

thorny is asleep ; tell him easy , and i 'll come back as soon as i can ! "

" go for the squire !

oh , what shall we do ? "

ben called , but there was no answer ; and he rode slowly along the brook-side , looking far and wide with anxious eyes .

" oh , where ?

what shall i do ?

" i feel bruised all over , and my arm is broken , i 'm afraid .

lita tried not to hurt me .

she slipped , and we went down .

i came here into the shade , and the pain made me faint , i suppose .

call somebody , and get me home . "

" ain't a man nowheres around .

" who 's your folks ?

what 's broke ?

how'd she fall ?

where is she ?

why didn't she come right here ?

is it a sunstroke ? "

" sakes alive ! poor dear !

fetch her right in .

liddy , get out the camphire ; and , melissy , you haul down a bed to lay her on .

falls is dretful uncert'in things ; shouldn't wonder if her back was broke .

father 's down yender , and he and bijah will see to her .

you go call ' em , and i 'll blow the horn to start ' em up .

tell her we 'd be pleased to see her , and it won't make a mite of trouble . "

ben heard no more , fur as mrs paine turned to take down the tin horn he was up and away .

" guess likely grandpa 's had ' nother stroke .

told ' em to send over soon ' s ever it come , " said the farmer , calmly .

" shouldn't wonder ef suthing was afire some'r's , " conjectured the hired man , surveying the horizon for a cloud of smoke .

" sho , that 's bad , " said the farmer , anxiously .

" now then , boy , you go for the doctor .

" hold on , " he added , as ben made one leap to lita 's back .

" you 'll have to go to berryville .

dr mills is a master hand for broken bones and old dr babcock ain't .

' tisn't but about three miles from here to his house , and you 'll fetch him ' fore there 's any harm done waitin ' . "

" don't kill lita , " called miss celia from the cart , as it began to move .

but ben did not hear her , for he was off across the fields , riding as if life and death depended upon his speed .

" i should hope so ; regular jockey , that boy .

people jogging along in wagons and country carry-alls stared amazed as the reckless pair went by .

mrs moss had been wise enough to say nothing , but quietly made what preparations she could , and waited for tidings .

" george !

i felt as if i had six legs when we were going the pace .

" like the fellow that brought the good news from ghent to aix , " said thorny , surveying the recumbent pair with great admiration .

" what follow ? " asked ben , wondering if he didn't mean sheridan , of whose ride he had heard .

" don't you know that piece ?

i spoke it at school .

give it to you now ; see if it isn't a rouser . "

chapter xvi

detective thornton

but ben did not seem to flourish as he had done at first .

" fretting about sanch , i suppose .

i declare i wish that dog had never been born !

losing him has just spoilt ben .

not a bit of fun left in him , and he won't have any thing i offer to cheer him up . "

thorny spoke impatiently , and knit his brows over the pressed flowers he was neatly gumming into his herbal .

" i wonder if he has any thing on his mind ?

he acts as if he was hiding a trouble he didn't dare to tell .

" oh , yes , i poke him up now and then , but he gets peppery , so i let him alone .

may be he is longing for his old circus again .

shouldn't blame him much if he was ; it isn't very lively here , and he 's used to excitement , you know . "

" i hope it isn't that .

do you think he would slip away without telling us , and go back to the old life again ?

don't believe he would .

ben isn't a bit of a sneak ; that 's why i like him . "

" have you ever found him sly or untrue in any way ? " asked miss celia , lowering her voice .

" no ; he 's as fair and square a fellow as i ever saw .

i 'll get him polished up after a while . "

" come here and let me tell you something which worries me .

" but it 's always locked up and you keep the keys of the drawer and the little room ? "

" it is gone , nevertheless , and i 've had my keys safe all the time . "

" but why think it is he any more than randa , or katy , or me ? "

" because i trust you three as i do myself .

i 've known the girls for years , and you have no object in taking it since all i have is yours , dear . "

" and all mine is yours , of course .

but , celia , how could he do it ?

he can't pick locks , i know , for we fussed over my desk together , and had to break it after all . "

" so he did ; but there is no spout near the little room window . "

" there is a tree , and such an agile boy as ben could swing in and out easily .

if he is planning to run away , money is a good thing to have .

he may not like to come to me for that , because he can give no good reason for wanting it .

i'm so troubled i really don't know what to do . "

she looked troubled , and thorny put his arms about her as if to keep all worries but his own away from her .

" don't you fret , cely , dear ; you leave it to me .

i 'll fix him ungrateful little scamp ! "

" that is not the way to begin .

i am afraid you will make him angry and hurt his feelings , and then we can do nothing . "

" bother his feelings !

i wish i knew how to manage . "

" he wouldn't be likely to put stolen money there .

ben is too wise for that . "

" he wouldn't keep it there , but he might be looking at it and pitch it in when i called .

he 's hardly spoken to me since , and when i asked him what his flag was at half-mast for , he wouldn't answer .

i tell you , celia , it looks bad very bad , " and thorny shook his head with a wise air .

" it does , and yet we may be all wrong .

let us wait a little and give the poor boy a chance to clear himself before we speak .

i 'd rather lose my money than suspect him falsely . "

" how much was it ? "

" look here , sister , you just put the case into my hands and let me work it up .

you give me the keys and leave a bill or two in the drawer , and may be i can find him out somehow . "

so the keys were given , and the little dressing-room where the old secretary stood was closely watched for a day or two .

" not yet , and you need do nothing more .

" why not ? " and thorny looked annoyed .

" i 've watched also , and he doesn't act like a deceitful boy .

" now , celia , don't you be soft-hearted .

he 's a sly little dog , and knows my eye is on him .

" do set the trap there , i heard the mouse nibbling last night , and it kept me awake .

we must have a cat or we shall be overrun . "

" i 'll let you know what i have decided in the morning .

be kind to ben , meantime , or i shall feel as if i had done you harm by letting you watch him . "

so it was left for that day , and by the next , miss celia had made up her mind to speak to ben .

she was just going down to breakfast when the sound of loud voices made her pause and listen .

it came from ben 's room , where the two boys seemed to be disputing about something .

" i hope thorny has kept his promise , " she thought , and hurried through the back entry , fearing a general explosion .

ben 's chamber was at the end , and she could see and hear what was going on before she was near enough to interfere .

" i don't . "

" better not ; i insist on seeing it . "

" well , you won't . "

" what have you been stealing now ? "

" didn't steal it , used to be mine , i only took it when i wanted it . "

" i know what that means .

you 'd better give it back or i 'll make you . "

" yes ' m , there is . "

" does it belong to you ? "

" yes ' m , it does . "

" where did you get it ? "

" up to squire 's . "

" that 's a lie ! " muttered thorny to himself .

" no ' m , it isn't . "

" then what can it be ? "

" well , it would , if you 'd let a feller alone .

she said she wanted a cat , so i went and got the one they gave me when i was at the squire 's .

" it was very kind of you , and i 'm glad to have this nice kitty .

" cats don't catch thieves , and they are what i'm after ! "

" what do you mean by that ? " fiercely demanded ben .

" did you think i 'd steal anything of yours ? "

" i tried not to , ben , but what could i do ?

it was gone , and you the only stranger about the place . "

" nobody , for i know my girls well .

" what a lot !

but how could i get it if it was locked up ? " and ben looked as if that question was unanswerable .

" i can't say any thing , only that i didn't take the money .

you won't believe it , so i 'd better go back where i come from .

they weren't so kind , but they trusted me , and knew i wouldn't steal a cent .

" come , now , don't be mad .

" it would break my heart to have you go in that way , ben .

stay at least till your innocence is proved , then no one can doubt what you say now . "

" don't see how it can be proved , " answered ben , appeased by her evident desire to trust him .

i 've done it once , but it is just possible that the bills may have slipped out of sight .

come , now , i can't rest till i 've done all i can to comfort you and convince thorny . "

miss celia rose as she spoke , and led the way to the dressing-room , which had no outlet except through her chamber .

the lower ones have seldom been opened since we came , and hold only some of papa 's old books .

" confound the old thing !

it always stuck so i had to give a jerk .

now , there it is , topsy-turvy , " and thorny looked much disgusted at his own awkwardness .

" no harm done ; i left nothing of value in it .

look back there , ben , and see if there is room for a paper to get worked over the top of the drawer .

ben looked into the dusty recess , and then put in his hand , saying carelessly ,

" there 's nothing but a bit of red stuff . "

" my old pen-wiper why , what 's the matter ? " asked miss celia , as ben dropped the handful of what looked like rubbish .

" something warm and wiggly inside of it , " answered ben , stooping to examine the contents of the little scarlet bundle .

" baby mice !

ain't they funny ?

look just like mites of young pigs .

suddenly she cried out : " boys , boys , i 've found the thief !

look here ; pull out these bits and see if they won't make up my lost bills . "

" all right , old fellow , forgive and forget .

i 'll never think hard of you again , on my honor i won't . "

as they spoke , miss celia and her brother held out their hands frankly and heartily .

" come , ben , don't you bear malice ; for you 've got the laugh on your side , and we feel pretty small .

i do , any way ; for , after my fidgets , all i 've caught is a mouse ! "

" and her family .

" i call that summary justice , the whole family executed on the spot !

give kit the mouse also , and let us go to breakfast .

" well , i said i 'd catch the thief , and i have , though it is rather a small one ! "

chapter xvii

betty's bravery

" celia , i 've a notion that we ought to give ben something .

" i see he does , though he tries to seem as bright and pleasant as ever .

i do not wonder , and i 've been thinking what i could do to soothe his feelings .

can you suggest any thing ? "

" cuff-buttons .

those , now , would just suit him for his go-to-meeting white shirts , neat , appropriate , and in memoriam . "

but won't you give him something ?

just some little trifle , to show that we are both eating humble pie , feeling sorry about the mouse money . "

" i shall give him a set of school-books , and try to get him ready to begin when vacation is over .

" that 's so like you celia !

always thinking of the best thing and doing it handsomely .

" he will in time , and if you are kind and patient , he will be glad to have you help him .

i shall make it a sort of favor to me on his part , to let you see to his lessons , now and then .

" i 'll tool him along at a great pace , if he will only go .

shall i get the books when i buy the other things ?

can i go this afternoon ? "

" yes , here is the list ; bab gave it to me .

you can go if you will come home early and have your tooth filled . "

" it won't hurt a bit , now , and the longer you leave it the worse it will be .

dr mann is ready at any time ; and , once over , you will be at peace for months .

come , my hero , give your orders , and take one of the girls to support you in the trying hour .

have bab ; she will enjoy it , and amuse you with her chatter . "

" i wouldn't take bab at any price ; she 'd only get into some scrape , and upset the whole plan .

betty is the chicken for me , a real little lady , and as nice and purry as a kitten . "

" very well ; ask her mother , and take good care of her .

let her tuck her dolly in , and she will be contented anywhere .

there 's a fine air , and the awning is on the phaeton , so you won't feel the sun .

start about three , and drive carefully . "

" lemons will do if oranges are gone .

" don't she look sweet , the dear ! " murmured mrs moss , proudly surveying her youngest .

thorny added some candy to bab 's lemon , and belinda had a cake , which her mamma obligingly ate for her .

" very good ; there you are , then .

" nonsense , child , never mind me !

" thank goodness !

pack up , bettykin . "

" boys chasing a great black cat , i believe , " answered one child .

" want to come and see ? " added the other , politely extending the invitation to the stranger .

" hold tight , jimmy , and let ' em peek , if they want to .

" ain't , neither ! " howled another lad from his perch .

" mad dogs won't drink ; and this one is lapping out of a tub of water . "

" he looks as if he knew me , but it isn't our sancho ; he was a lovely dog . "

" why , that 's just the way sanch used to do ! " cried betty , bewildered by the familiar ways of this unfamiliar-looking dog .

" he acts just like our dog , but i don't see how it can be him .

sancho , sancho , is it really you ? " called betty , at her wits ' end what to do .

all of a sudden , the thought rushed into her mind , how glad ben would be ! and bab would feel all happy again .

" i must carry him home . "

let me go in ; i ain't afraid . "

" did they make you black and beat you , dear ?

oh , sanch , where is your tail your pretty tail ? "

" betty moss , what on earth are you doing in there with that dirty beast ? "

" it 's sanch , it 's sanch !

oh , come and see ! " shrieked betty , flying up to lead forth her prize .

" don't stay there another minute .

" no , i 'm not coming out till he does .

" you 're crazy , child .

that is no more ben 's dog than i am . "

" now , let's carry him right home , and surprise ben .

" you are a little trump to find him out in spite of all the horrid things that have been done to him .

we must have a rope to lead him , for he 's got no collar and no muzzle .

he has got friends though , and i 'd like to see any one touch him now .

out of the way , there , boy ! "

" i kept him safe till she came , " added the jailer jimmy , speaking for himself .

" i said he wasn't mad , " cried a third , feeling that his discrimination deserved approval .

" jud ain't my brother , " said the fourth , eager to clear his skirts from all offence .

" but all of you chased and stoned him , i suppose ?

you 'd better look out or you 'll get reported to the society for the prevention of cruelty to animals . "

" we 'll keep sanch hidden , and smuggle him into ben 's old room at your house .

then i 'll drive on to the barn , and not say a word , but send ben to get something out of that room .

you just let him in , to see what he 'll do .

i 'll bet you a dollar he won't know his own dog . "

" i don't believe i can keep from screaming right out when i see him , but i 'll try .

oh , won't it be fun ! " and betty clapped her hands in joyful anticipation of that exciting moment .

" who is hurt ? " asked mrs moss , running out with floury hands uplifted in alarm .

" sancho 's found !

sancho 's found ! " shouted thorny , throwing up his hat like a lunatic .

" found , found , found ! " echoed betty , dancing wildly about as if she too had lost her little wits .

" where ? how ? when ? who did it ? " asked mrs moss , clapping her dusty hands delightedly .

" i 'd have dared , and slapped those horrid boys , too .

i wish i 'd gone ! " and bab felt that she had for ever lost the chance of distinguishing herself .

" the wretch who stole him , i suppose ; and he deserves to be hung , " answered thorny , hotly .

" come and show him to celia , " begged thorny , eager to fight his battles over again .

" it will take a lot of washings to get that brown stuff off .

see , his pretty , pink skin is all stained with it .

we 'll bleach him out , and his curls will grow , and he 'll be as good as ever all but "

ben could not finish , and a general wail went up for the departed tassel that would never wave proudly in the breeze again .

" i 'll buy him a new one .

chapter xviii

bows and arrows

for several days he held regular levees , that curious boys and sympathizing girls might see and pity the changed and curtailed dog .

if the interesting sufferer could only have spoken , what thrilling adventures and hair-breadth escapes he might have related .

but , alas ! he was dumb ; and the secrets of that memorable month never were revealed .

miss celia called them little una and her lion , and read the pretty story to the children when they wondered what she meant .

miss celia 's arm had been doing very well , but would , of course , be useless for some time longer .

out of one of these stories came much amusement for all , and satisfaction for one of the party .

" yes , i brought all the playthings we left stored away in uncle 's garret when we went abroad .

the bows are in the long box where you found the mallets , fishing-rods , and bats .

the old quivers and a few arrows are there also , i believe .

what is the idea now ? asked miss celia in her turn , as thorny bounced up in a great hurry .

" i 'm going to teach ben to shoot .

grand fun this hot weather ; and by-and-by we 'll have an archery meeting , and you can give us a prize .

come on , ben .

i 've got plenty of whip-cord to rig up the bows , and then we 'll show the ladies some first-class shooting . "

" i can't ; never had a decent bow in my life .

" practice is all you want .

" we used to make bows of whalebone when we were little girls , but we are too old to play so now . "

" grown people enjoy archery , as bow and arrow shooting is called , especially in england .

matty lived alone with her father , but felt quite safe in the log house , for he was never far away .

but before he could reach it he heard a yell , and saw the red men coming up from the river .

" ' come soon , ' whispered matty , and tried to smile bravely , as a stout settler 's girl should .

people missed matty , but supposed she was with her father , and never expected to see her again .

a great while afterward the poor man came back , having escaped and made his way through the wilderness to his old home .

" is it true ? " asked betty , hoping to find relief in being told that it was not .

" we 'll play that in the old apple-tree .

" no , it won't !

" so he took up his bow , and he feathered his arrow , and said , ' i will shoot this little cock-sparrow . ' "

" but he didn't , " chirped the robin , flying away , with a contemptuous flirt of his rusty-black tail .

" that is exactly what you must promise not to do , boys .

" not bad for a beginning .

now , ben , fire away . "

" if you endanger other people 's life and liberty in your pursuit of happiness , i shall have to confiscate your arms , boys .

take the orchard for your archery ground ; that is safe , and we can see you as we sit here .

" thank you .

" p'r'aps it would be too much trouble , " began betty , in her winning little voice .

" i can make my own , " declared bab , with an independent toss of the head .

thorny easily recovered much of his former skill , but his strength had not fully returned , and he soon grew tired .

she said little to any one but the friend over the sea , yet various plans were made then that blossomed beautifully by-and-by .

chapter xix

speaking pieces

the first of september came all too soon , and school began .

he did not tell her one of his greatest trials , however , because he thought she could not help him there .

" sam didn't like it because ben jumped farther than he did "

" and he said ben ought to be in the poor-house . "

" and ben said he ought to be in it pigpen . "

" so he had ! such a greedy thing , bringing lovely big apples , and not giving any one a single bite ! "

" then he was mad , and we all laughed ; and he said , ' want to fight ? '

" and ben said , ' no , thanky , not much fun in pounding a feather-bed . ' "

" oh , he was awfully mad then , and chased ben up the big maple . "

" he 's there now , for sam won't let him come down till he takes it all back . "

" ben won't ; and i do believe he 'll have to stay up all night , " said betty , distressfully .

" he won't care , and we 'll have fun firing up his supper .

" if he does not come by tea-time , we will go and look after him .

" yes , 'm , sam and mose are always plaguing ben .

they are big boys , and we can't make them stop .

i won't let the girls do it , and the little boys don't dare to , since teacher spoke to them . " answered bab .

" why does not teacher speak to the big ones ?

" ben won't tell of them , or let us .

he says he 'll fight his own battles , and hates tell-tales .

" he got himself down in the neatest way you can imagine ; " and thorny laughed at the recollection .

" where is sam ? " asked bab .

" staring up at the sky to see where ben has flown to . "

" oh , tell about it ! " begged betty .

" well , i came along and found ben treed , and sam stoning him .

i stopped that at once , and told the ' fat boy ' to be off .

he said he wouldn't till ben begged his pardon ; and ben said he wouldn't do it , if he stayed up for a week .

" where has ben gone now ? "

" oh , he 'll take a little ride , and then slip down and race home full of the fun of it .

but i 've got to settle sam .

i won't have our ben hectored by any one "

" but yourself , " put in his sister , with a sly smile , for thorny was rather domineering at times .

sam is a bully , and so is mose ; and i 'll thrash them both if they don't stop . "

" i have been thinking that we should have some sort of merry-making for ben on his birthday .

" so it will !

" we 'll startle the natives .

i don't believe they ever saw a play in all their lives , hey , bab ? "

" i 've seen a circus . "

" we dress up and do ' babes in the wood , ' " added betty , with dignity .

" pho ! that 's nothing .

i 'll show you acting that will make your hair stand on end , and you shall act too .

" hush !

ben is coming , and he must not know any thing about this yet . "

other pieces followed , all more or less patriotic and warlike , among the boys ; sentimental among the girls .

sam broke down in his attempt to give one of webster 's great speeches , little cy fay boldly attacked

" again to the battle , achaians ! "

when

" the woods against a stormy sky their giant branches tossed ; "

" where the purple mullet and gold-fish rove . "

" but she is in her grave , and o , the difference to me ! "

" that is all , i believe .

" please , ' m .

but , to their great surprise , the pretty lady stood up again and said , in her friendly way ,

" i just want to thank you for this pleasant little exhibition , and ask leave to come again .

i also wish to invite you all to my boy 's birthday party on saturday week .

the archery meeting is to be in the afternoon , and both clubs will be there , i believe .

the effect of the invitation was seen with comical rapidity , for the boys became overpowering in their friendly attentions to ben .

but thorny made the noblest sacrifice of all , for he said to his sister , as they walked home together ,

" i 'm not going to try for the prize at all .

i shoot so much better than the rest , having had more practice , you know , that it is hardly fair .

if i am out of the way ben stands a good chance , for the other fellows don't amount to much . "

" bab does ; she shoots nearly as well as ben , and wants to win even more than he or billy .

she must have her chance at any rate . "

" if i had full use of both my arms i 'd show you that girls can do a great deal when they like .

don't be too lofty , young man , for you may have to come down , " laughed miss celia , amused by his airs .

" no fear , " and thorny calmly departed to set his targets for ben 's practice .

chapter xx

ben's birthday

a superb display of flags flapped gayly in the breeze on the september morning when ben proudly entered his teens .

ben , however , assured them that he rather preferred odd ones , as then he could always tell which was right and which left .

" i have come to shoot .

i heard about it .

my papa told me what arching meant .

will there be any little cakes ?

i like them . "

with these opening remarks the poet took a seat and calmly awaited a response .

" she asked me to come that day .

i have been very busy .

i had measles .

do you have them here ? " asked the guest , as if anxious to compare notes on the sad subject .

" we had ours ever so long ago .

what have you been doing besides having measles ? " said betty , showing a polite interest .

" i had a fight with a bumble-bee . "

" who beat ? " demanded bab .

" i did .

i ran away and he couldn't catch me . "

" can you shoot nicely ? "

" i hit a cow .

she did not mind at all .

i guess she thought it was a fly . "

" did your mother know you were coming ? " asked bab , feeling an interest in runaways .

" no ; she is gone to drive , so i could not ask her . "

" it is very wrong to disobey .

my sunday-school book says that children who are naughty that way never go to heaven , " observed virtuous betty , in a warning tone .

" i do not wish to go , " was the startling reply .

" why not ? " asked betty , severely .

" they don't have any dirt there .

my mamma says so .

i am fond of dirt .

" i am afraid you 're a very bad child . "

" oh yes , i am .

my papa often says so and he knows all about it , " replied alfred with an involuntary wriggle suggestive of painful memories .

" it is striking two now .

come along , girls ; " and over scrambled sally folsom , followed by three or four kindred spirits , just as their hostess appeared .

" how do you do , sir ?

here a rush of boys took place , and further remarks were cut short , for every one was in a hurry to begin .

various rules and regulations were discussed , and then the fun began .

thorny was umpire , and kept account of each shot , for the arrow which went nearest the middle would win .

billy did very well , but got nervous when his last shot came , and just missed the bull's-eye by being in a hurry .

bab and ben each had one turn more ; and , as they were about even , that last arrow would decide the victory .

" now , bab ! "

" hit her up , ben ! "

" i want to beat , but ben will feel so bad , i ' most hope i sha'n't . "

" losing a prize sometimes makes one happier than gaining it .

" steady , old man , steady ; you must beat that , or we shall never hear the last of it . "

" a tie ! a tie ! " cried the girls , as a general rush took place toward the target .

" no , ben 's is nearest .

ben 's beat ! "

hooray shouted the boys , throwing up their hats .

hurrah ! " it sounded so pleasant .

i wanted the fun of beating , but i don't care a bit for this girl 's thing and i 'd rather see it on you . "

" oh no ; you must wear it to show who won .

miss celia wouldn't like it .

" you must wear it ; i shall feel real mean if you don't .

you worked harder than i did , and it was only luck my getting this .

" then i will .

now do you forgive me for losing sancho ? " asked bab , with a wistful look which made ben say , heartily ,

" i did that when he came home . "

" and you don't think i 'm horrid ? "

" he learned that at the circus ' tunnyments , ' as he calls them .

i saw a very sweet look on her face just now , and am sure that ben will never know why he beat . "

i ought to give her mine and be hungry , it was so mean to make fun of her poorness . "

" did you stop the sacrifice ? "

" come and tell me about abby .

chapter xxi

cupid's last appearance

one big door was open , and seats , arranged lengthwise , faced the red table-cloths which formed the curtain .

across an empty stall a green cloth was fastened , so high that the heads of the operators were not seen .

" in china there lived a little man , his name was chingery wangery chan . "

while he saluted , the song went on ,

" his legs were short , his feet were small , and this little man could not walk at all . "

" chingery changery ri co day , ekel tekel happy man ; uron odesko canty oh , oh , gallopy wallopy china go . "

while she did this , the song went on to explain ,

" whang fun li , tang hua ki , hong kong do ra me !

ah sin lo , pan to fo , tsing up chin leute ! "

but , alas !

the boys enjoyed this part intensely , and cries of " go it , ben ! "

" hit him again , billy ! "

" two against one isn't fair ! "

" thorny 's a match for ' em . "

" i hope bab will do something else , she is so funny .

wasn't her dress elegant ? " said sally folsum , burning to wear a long silk gown and a feather in her hair .

up went the curtain at last , and a voice announced " a tragedy in three tableaux . "

" i know what that is ! " cried sally ; " it 's ' mabel on midsummer day . '

the piece miss celia spoke ; don't you know ? "

" there isn't any sick baby , and mabel had a ' kerchief pinned about her head . '

the question was settled by the appearance of the wolf in the second scene , and such a wolf !

what a comfort that tail was to sancho , none but a bereaved bow-wow could ever tell .

it 's perfectly splendid ! so don't you spoil it by making a row . "

but what they heard only whetted their curiosity and mystified them more and more .

bab 's voice cried in a loud whisper , " isn't ben beautiful ? "

" you just wait till you see what 's coming .

" ready !

no wonder ben was not recognized in this brilliant disguise , which was more natural to him than billy 's blue flannel or thorny 's respectable garments .

" yes , ' m , thank you , it was tip-top . "

" but you look rather sober .

" no , i wouldn't unless he was there and wanted me . "

now go and dress ; but , tell me first , has it been a happy birthday ? "

" oh , miss celia !

" if i can bring one lost lamb into the fold , i shall be the fitter for a shepherd 's wife , by-and-by . "

chapter xxii

a boy's bargain

roosting here , sam began to shout for aid in every key possible to the human voice .

" come on !

i 'm in the ma'sh .

" is it you , sam ?

" stop that , or i 'll knock your head off ! " roared sam , in a rage .

" dare say not , but ' it is good for you , ' as you say when you rap me over the head .

now then ! " and ben 's face grew stern with his remembered wrongs as he grimly eyed his discomfited foe .

" i 'll promise fast enough if you won't tell anyone about this , " answered sam , surveying himself and his surroundings with great disgust .

" i shall do as i like about that . "

" then i won't promise a thing !

" all right ! " and back came ben , ready for further negotiations .

" i 'll promise not to plague you , if you 'll promise not to tell on me .

is that what you want ? "

" now i come to think of it , there is one thing more .

i like to make a good bargain when i begin , " said ben , with a shrewd air .

" you must promise to keep mose quiet , too .

he follows your lead , and if you tell him to stop it he will .

if i was big enough , i 'd make you hold your tongues .

i ain't , so we 'll try this way . "

" yes , yes , i 'll see to mose .

now , bring on a rail , there 's a good fellow .

promise you won't plague the girls either , ' specially bab and betty .

you pull their hair , and they don't like it . "

" don't neither !

wouldn't touch that bab for a dollar ; she scratches and bites like a mad cat , " was sam 's sulky reply .

" glad of it ; she can take care of herself .

" stop !

i will !

i will ! "

" true as you live and breathe ! " demanded ben , sternly binding him by the most solemn oath he knew .

" i never thought of that way , " said sam , watching him with much inward chagrin at his own failure .

come , crook , " commanded ben , leaning forward with extended little finger .

" now what 's going to become of you , old look-before-you-leap ? "

" better wash your face ; it 's as speckled as a tiger-lily .

" don't want it , " muttered sam , gruffly , as he poured the water out of his muddy shoes .

" i was taught to say ' thanky ' when folks got me out of scrapes .

sam forgot his manners , but he remembered his promise , and kept it so well that all the school wondered .

a week after the secret alliance was formed , ben ran in one evening with a letter for miss celia .

" he has come ! he has come !

now you may tell them , thorny . "

" tell its what ? asked bab , pricking up her cars at once .

ben will take care of you while i 'm gone . "

" when shall you go ? " asked bab , beginning to long for her share of cake .

" to-morrow , i guess .

celia has been packed and ready for a week .

we agreed to meet george in new york , and be married as soon as he got his best clothes unpacked .

we are men of our word , and off we go .

won't it be fun ? "

" but when will you come back again ? " questioned betty , looking anxious .

" don't know .

" do you like him ? " asked ben , very naturally wondering if the new master would approve of the young man-of-all-work .

" don't i ?

george is regularly jolly ; though now he 's a minister , perhaps he 'll stiffen up and turn sober .

won't it be a shame if he does ? " and thorny looked alarmed at the thought of losing his congenial friend .

" tell about him ; miss celia said you might " , put in bab , whose experience of " jolly " ministers had been small .

" oh , there isn't much about it .

we met in switzerland going up mount st bernard in a storm , and "

" where the good dogs live ? " inquired betty , hoping they would come into the story .

then we kept meeting , and the first thing i knew she went and was engaged to him .

i didn't care , only she would come home so he might go on studying hard and get through quick .

" shall you live here always when you come back ? asked bab , as thorny paused for breath .

" celia wants to .

i shall go to college , so i don't mind .

george is going to help the old minister here and see how he likes it .

" i wonder if he will want me round , " said ben , feeling no desire to be a tramp again .

" i 'd like to see a live wedding , then we could play it with our dolls .

i 've got a nice piece of mosquito netting for a veil , and belinda 's white dress is clean .

" oh , goody ! " cried bab , while betty whispered with both arms round miss celia ,

" i don't think we could bear to have anybody else come here to live . "

" it is very pleasant to hear you say that , and i mean to make others feel so , if i can .

" we will , " promised both children , ready for any thing except preaching in the high pulpit .

then miss celia turned to ben , saying , in the respectful way that always made him feel at least twenty-five ,

" we shall be off to-morrow , and i leave you in charge .

chapter xxiii

somebody comes

" don't you hope ben will get his bag full ?

" yes , and ma says we may boil some in our little kettles .

ben promised we should have half , " answered betty , still intent on her cookery .

" i shall save some of mine for thorny . "

" i shall keep lots of mine for miss celia . "

" doesn't it seem more than two weeks since she went away ? "

" i wonder what she 'll bring us . "

" it 's a tramp , let's run away , " whispered betty , after a hasty look .

" pretty well , thank you , sir , " responded bab , politely nodding back at him .

" folks at home ? " asked the man , looking over their heads toward the house .

" only ma ; all the rest have gone to be married . "

" that sounds lively .

" why , do you know the squire ? " exclaimed bab , much surprised and re-assured .

" come on purpose to see him .

just strolling round till he gets back , " with an impatient sort of sigh .

" betty thought you was a tramp , but i wasn't afraid .

i like tramps ever since ben came , " explained bab , with her usual candor .

" who ' s ben ! " and the man came nearer so quickly that betty nearly fell backward .

" don't you be scared , sissy .

" ben is miss celia 's boy .

we found him most starved in the coach-house , and he 's been here ever since , " answered bab , comprehensively .

" tell me about it .

" ' course we were !

he 's a nice boy and we are fond of him , and he likes us , " said bab , heartily .

" don't wonder a mite .

" haven't you ever been here before ?

it seems as if i 'd seen you . "

" never in my life .

" i 'm looking round for a likely boy ; don't you think this ben would suite me ?

i want just such a lively sort of chap . "

" are you a circus man ? " asked bab , quickly .

" well , no , not now .

i 'm in better business . "

" i 'm glad of it we don't approve of ' em ; but i do think they 're splendid ! "

bab began by gravely quoting miss celia , and ended with an irrepressible burst of admiration which contrasted drolly with her first remark .

betty added , anxiously : " we can't let ben go any way .

i know he wouldn't want to , and miss celia would feel bad .

please don't ask him . "

" he can do as he likes , i suppose .

he hasn't got any folks of his own , has he ? "

" bless your heart for that !

i won't take him away , child , or do a thing to trouble anybody that 's been good to him . "

" he ' s coming now .

i hear sanch barking at the squirrels ! " cried bab , standing up to get a good look down the road .

sancho trotted before and saw the stranger first , for the sun in ben 's eyes dazzled him .

" good old sanch !

i knew he wouldn't forget master , and he doesn't . "

" what 's the matter ? " called ben , coming up briskly , with a strong grip of his stout stick .

down dropped the nuts , and crying , " oh , daddy , daddy ! "

" where is he ?

go bring him here .

i declare it fairly takes my breath away ! "

" they are coming ! they are coming !

" my patience , don't they look alike !

i should know he was ben 's pa anywhere ! " said mrs moss , running to the door in a hurry .

" i 'm real glad to see you safe and well , mr brown !

come right in and make yourself to home .

i guess there isn't a happier boy living than ben is to-night . "

" now don't say a word about it , but sit down and rest , and we 'll have tea in less'n no time .

" that 's so ! " adding , more quietly , " what are you going to do now ?

go back to smithers and the old business ? "

" not likely , after the way he treated you , sonny .

" that sounds likely .

thanky , ma'am .

i 'll look up the concern and try my chance .

i love to go and see ' em .

mr towne asked me to come and be stable-boy when i rode the kicking gray the rest were afraid of .

now i 'm glad i didn't , for i get on first rate and like it . "

" you done right , boy , and i 'm pleased with you .

don't you ever be ungrateful to them that befriended you , if you want to prosper .

i 'll tackle the stable business a monday and see what 's to be done .

now i ought to be walking , but i 'll be round in the morning ma'am , if you can spare ben for a spell to-morrow .

mrs moss saw the longing in his face , and forgetting that he was an utter stranger , spoke right out of her hospitable heart .

" it 's a long piece to the tavern , and my little back bedroom is always ready .

it won't make a mite of trouble if you don't mind a plain place , and you are heartily welcome . "

" do stay , father ; it will be so nice to have you .

" of course he does , and it 's all fair , " answered bab , decidedly .

" isn't he a nice man , ma ?

but , on the whole , it is best not to say a word about it .

chapter xxiv

the great gate is opened

the browns were up and out so early next morning that bab and betty were sure they had run away in the night .

" come , boy , we must drop the old slang since we 've given up the old business .

these good folks are making a gentleman of you , and i won't be the one to spoil their work .

" breakfast is ready , sir , " said betty , looking much relieved to find them .

" we thought you 'd run away from us , " explained bab , as both put out their hands to shake those extended to them .

" that would be a mean trick .

" here 's a smart young chap !

" i 'm too shabby , sonny , else i 'd go in a minute to please you . "

" miss celia said god didn't mind poor clothes , and she took me when i looked worse than you do .

" do you want to go ? " asked his father in a tone of surprise .

" i want to please her , if you don't mind .

we could have our tramp this afternoon . "

" miss celia said church was a good place to take our troubles , and to be thankful in .

i went when i thought you were dead , and now i 'd love to go when i 've got my daddy safe again . "

" i 'll go , and thank the lord hearty for giving me back my boy better'n i left him ! "

then , as steps were heard on the stairs , mr brown caught up his hat , saying hastily ,

" i ain't fit to go with them , you tell ' m , and i 'll slip into a back seat after folks are in.

i know the way . "

and , before ben could reply , he was gone .

" i wasn't going to let you be alone , and have folks think i was ashamed of my father .

come , daddy , we 'll sit together . "

but the crowning glory of the day came after church , when the squire said to ben , and sam heard him ,

" i 've got a letter for you from miss celia .

come home with me , and bring your father .

i want to talk to him . "

" i 'll give you a line to towne .

miss celia had been gone a fortnight , and every one was longing to have her back .

one passage particularly pleased him ,

" i want the great gate opened , so that the new master may go in that way .

will you see that it is done , and all made neat afterward ?

he had his wish , and did his part handsomely when he least expected to have a chance .

" hullo !

i do believe they 've got up a bonfire , without asking my leave .

miss celia never would let us , because the sheds and roofs are so old and dry ; i must see about it .

mrs moss had her wits about her in a minute , and ran to put in the fireboard , and stop the draught .

but where was bab , who revelled in flurries ?

no one missed her till the fire was out , and the tired , sooty people met to talk over the danger just escaped .

" it would have burnt lively , but i guess it 's all right now .

keep an eye on the roof , ben , and i 'll step up garret and see if all 's safe there .

didn't you know that chimney was foul , ma'am ? " asked the man , as he wiped the perspiration off his grimy face .

" bless you , ma'am , i never thought of such a thing , nor katy neither .

" oh , bab , how could you do it ?

ma was frightened dreadfully , " said betty , gently tugging at the striped leg , as sancho poked his head in for another shoe .

" is it all burnt up ? " demanded a smothered voice from the recesses of the kennel .

" only pieces of the roof .

" what do they do to folks who set houses afire ? " asked the voice again .

" i 'll ask him ; he is always good to me .

they will be here pretty soon , so you 'd better come out and be made tidy , " suggested the comforter .

" ma won't , she 's too busy cleaning up ; so it 's a good time to come .

let's run home , wash our hands , and be all nice when they see us .

" every one is so kind !

" sanch , introduce your master , that i may thank him for coming back in time to save my old house . "

" i loved to do it , so please remember that this is still his home till you make one for him .

" come on , sister .

" oh , don't ! " cried bab , hiding her face .

" she didn't mean to , " added betty , pleadingly .

end of the project gutenberg ebook of under the lilacs , by louisa may alcott