`` Sit still . He said I could n't . I 'm not going to give in with him looking on , '' panted Ben , and he pushed gallantly up the rise , over the grassy lawn to the side gate of the Batchelors ' door-yard , with his head down , teeth set , and every muscle of his slender body braced to the task . `` 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 , '' sung a voice with an accent which made Ben drop his load and push back his hat , to see Pat 's red head looking over the fence . To have his enemy behold him then and there was the last bitter drop in poor Ben 's cup of humiliation . A shrill approving whistle from the hill was some comfort , however , and gave him spirit to help Bab out with composure , though his hands were blistered and he had hardly breath enough to issue the Command , -- `` Go along home , and do n't mind him . '' `` Nice childer , ye are , runnin ' off this way , settin ' the women distracted , and me wastin ' me time comin ' after ye when I 'd be milkin ' airly so I 'd get a bit of pleasure the day , '' grumbled Pat , coming up to untie the Duke , whose Roman nose Ben had already recognized , as well as the roomy chaise standing before the door . `` 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 . Up wid ye , b ` y , and not be wastin ' me time stramashin ' after a spalpeen that I 'd like to lay me whip over , '' said Pat , gruffly , as Ben came along , having left the barrow in the shed . `` Do n't you wish you could ? You need n't wait for me ; I 'll come when I 'm ready , '' answered Ben dodging round the chaise , bound not to mind Pat , if he spent the night by the road-side in consequence . `` Bedad , and I wo n't then . It 's lively ye are ; but four legs is better than two , as ye 'll find this night , me young man . '' With that he whipped up and was off before Bab could say a word to persuade Ben to humble himself for the sake of a ride . She lamented and Pat chuckled , both forgetting what an agile monkey the boy was , and as neither looked back , they were unaware Master Ben was hanging on behind among the straps and springs , making derisive grimaces at his unconscious foe through the little glass in the leathern back .
At the lodge gate XXXXX jumped down to run before with whoops of naughty satisfaction , which brought the anxious waiters to the door in a flock ; so Pat could only shake his fist at the exulting little rascal as he drove away , leaving the wanderers to be welcomed as warmly as if they were a pair of model children .
Bab Bedad Ben Billy Duke Squire road-side runnin springs wastin