Bab huddled into her new equipage without the least fear , and Ben trundled her off at a good pace , while the boy retired to the shelter of a barn to watch their progress , glad to be rid of an irksome errand . At first , all went well , for the way was down hill , and the wheel squeaked briskly round and round ; Bab smiled gratefully upon her bearer , and Ben `` went in on his muscle with a will , '' as he expressed 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 . It 's real nice , but I guess I am too heavy , '' said Bab , as the face before her got redder and redder , and the breath began to come in puffs . `` 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 XXXXX dodging round the chaise , bound not to mind Pat , if he spent the night by the road-side in consequence .
Batchelors Ben Billy Duke Pat first settin stramashin wheelbarry wid