while Thorny looked as anxious as if the fate of the country depended on the success of his man . Bab 's turn came first ; and , as Miss Celia examined her bow to see that all was right , the little girl said , With her eyes on her rival 's excited face , -- `` 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 . You have proved that you could do better than most of them ; so , if you do not beat , you may still feet proud , '' answered Miss Celia , giving back the bow with a smile that said more than her words . It seemed to give Bab a new idea , for in a minute all sorts of recollections , wishes , and plans rushed through her lively little mind , and she followed a sudden generous impulse as blindly as she often did a wilful one . `` I guess he 'll beat , '' she said , softly , with a quick sparkle of the eyes , as she stepped to her place and fired without taking her usual careful aim . Her shot struck almost as near the centre on the right as her last one had hit on the left ; and there was a shout of delight from the girls as Thorny announced it before he hurried back to Ben , whispering anxiously , -- `` Steady , old Man , steady ; you must beat that , or we shall never hear the last of it . '' Ben did not say , `` She wo n't get ahead of me , '' as he had said at the first ; he set his teeth , threw off his hat , and , knitting his brows with a resolute expression , prepared to take steady aim , though his heart beat fast and his thumb trembled as he pressed it on the bowstring . `` I hope you 'll beat , I truly do , '' said Bab , at his elbow ; and , as if the breath that framed the generous wish helped it on its way , the arrow flew straight to the bull 's - eye , hitting , apparently , the very spot where Bab 's best shot had left a hole . `` 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 . There was only a hair 's - breadth difference , and Bab could honestly have disputed the decision ; but she did not , though for an instant she could not help wishing that the cry had been `` Bab 's beat ! Hurrah ! '' it sounded so pleasant . Then she saw Ben 's beaming face , Thorny 's intense relief , and caught the look Miss Celia sent her over the heads of the boys , and decided , with a sudden warm glow all over her little face , that losing a prize did sometimes make one happier than winning it . Up went her best hat , and she burst out in a shrill , `` Rah , rah , rah ! '' that sounded very funny coming all alone after the general clamor had subsided .
`` Good for you , XXXXX !
Bab Ben Celia Hooray centre first left minute rah right