No other serious damage appeared , and bruises soon heal , so Ben was sent home to comfort Thorny with a good report , and ask the Squire to drive up in his big carry-all for her the next day , if she was able to be moved . Mrs. Moss had been wise enough to say nothing , but quietly made what preparations she could , and waited for tidings . Bab and Betty were away berrying , so no one had alarmed Thorny , and he had his afternoon nap in peace , -- an unusually long one , owing to the stillness which prevailed in the absence of the children ; and when he awoke he lay reading for a while before he began to wonder where every one was . Lounging out to see , he found Ben and Lita reposing side by side on the fresh straw in the loose box , which had been made for her in the coach-house . By the pails , sponges and curry-combs lying about , it was evident that she had been refreshed by a careful washing and rubbing down , and my lady was now luxuriously resting after her labors , with her devoted groom half asleep close by . `` Well , of all queer boys you are the queerest , to spend this hot afternoon fussing over Lita , just for the fun of it ! '' cried Thorny , looking in at them with much amusement . `` If you knew what we 'd been doing , you 'd think I ought to fuss over her , and both of us had a right to rest ! '' answered Ben , rousing up as bright as a button ; for he longed to tell his thrilling tale , and had with difficulty been restrained from bursting in on Thorny as soon as he arrived . He made short work of the story , but was quite satisfied with the sensation it produced ; for his listener was startled , relieved , excited and charmed , in such rapid succession , that he was obliged to sit upon the meal-chest and get his breath before he Could exclaim , with an emphatic demonstration of his heels against the bin , -- `` Ben Brown , I 'll never forget what you 've done for Celia this day , or say ` bow-legs ' again as long as I live . '' `` George ! I felt as if I had six legs when we were going the pace . We were all one piece , and had a jolly spin , did n't we , my beauty ? '' and Ben chuckled as he took Lita 's head in his lap , while she answered with a gusty sigh that nearly blew him away . `` 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 did n't mean Sheridan , of whose ride he had heard . `` Do n't you know that piece ? I spoke it at school . Give it to you now ; see if it is n't a rouser . ''
And , glad to find a vent from his excitement , Thorny mounted the meal-chest , to thunder out that stirring ballad with such spirit that XXXXX pricked up her ears and Ben gave a shrill `` Hooray ! ''
Aix Ben Lita Sheridan Squire afternoon bow-legs carry-all coach-house rouser