`` And two donkeys , and Ben 's the biggest , not to know when he is well off and happy ! '' retorted the `` gentleman , '' slapping a dried specimen on the page as if he were pounding discontented Ben . `` Come here and let me tell you something which worries me . I would not breathe it to another soul , but I feel rather helpless , and I dare say you can manage the matter better than I. '' Looking much mystified , Thorny went and sat on the stool at his sister 's feet , while she whispered confidentially in his ear : `` I 've lost some money out of my drawer , and I 'm so afraid Ben took it . '' `` 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 ca n't pick locks , I know , for we fussed over my desk together , and had to break it after all . '' `` I never really thought it possible till to-day when you were playing ball and it went in at the upper window , and Ben climbed up the porch after it ; you remember you said , ` If it had gone in at the garret gable you could n't have done that so well ; ' and he answered , ` Yes , I could , there is n't a spout I ca n't shin up , or a bit of this roof I have n't been over . ' '' `` 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 . Now , Thorny , I hate to think this of him , but it has happened twice , and for his own sake I must stop it . If he is planning to run away , money is a good thing to have . And he may feel that it is his own ; for you know he asked me to put his wages in the bank , and I did . 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 do n't know what to do . ''
She looked troubled , and XXXXX put his arms about her as if to keep all worries but his own away from her .
Ben Celia Katy Randa Thorny donkeys drawer garret wages years