Mr. Brown looked pleased , but hesitated to accept any further favor from the good soul who had already done so much for him and his . Ben gave him no time to speak , however , for running to a door he flung it open and beckoned , saying , eagerly , -- `` Do stay , father ; it will be so nice to have you . This is a tip-top room ; I slept here the night I came , and that bed was just splendid after bare ground for a fortnight . '' `` I 'll stop , and as I 'm pretty well done up , I guess we may as well turn in now , '' answered the new guest ; then , as if the memory of that homeless little lad so kindly cherished made his heart overflow in spite of him , Mr. Brown paused at the door to say hastily , with a hand on Bab and Betty 's heads , as if his promise was a very earnest one , -- `` I do n't forget , ma'am , these children shall never want a friend while Ben Brown 's alive ; '' then he shut the door so quickly that the other Ben 's prompt `` Hear , hear ! '' was cut short in the middle . `` I s ` pose he means that we shall have a piece of Ben 's father , because we gave Ben a piece of our mother , '' said Betty , softly . `` Of course he does , and it 's all fair , '' answered Bab , decidedly . `` Is n't he a nice man , Ma ? `` Go to bed , children , '' was all the answer she got ; but when they were gone , Mrs. Moss , as she washed up her dishes , more than once glanced at a certain nail where a man 's hat had not hung for five years , and thought with a sigh what a natural , protecting air that slouched felt had . If one wedding were not quite enough for a child 's story , we might here hint what no one dreamed of then , that before the year came round again Ben had found a mother , Bab and Betty a father , and Mr. Brown 's hat was quite at home behind the kitchen door . But , on the whole , it is best not to say a word about it . CHAPTER XXIV THE GREAT GATE IS OPENED The Browns were up and out so early next morning that Bab and Betty were sure they had run away in the night . But on looking for them , they were discovered in the coach-house criticising Lita , both with their hands in their pockets , both chewing straws , and looking as much alike as a big elephant and a small one . `` That 's as pretty a little span as I 've seen for a long time , '' said the elder Ben , as the children came trotting down the path hand in hand , with the four blue bows at the ends of their braids bobbing briskly up and down . `` The nigh one is my favorite , but the off one is the best goer , though she 's dreadfully hard bitted , '' answered Ben the younger , with such a comical assumption of a jockey 's important air that his father laughed as he said in an undertone , -- `` Come , boy , we must drop the old slang since we 've given up the old business . These good folks are making a gentleman of you , and I wo n't be the one to spoil their work . Hold on , my dears , and I 'll show you how they say good-morning in California , '' he added , beckoning to the little girls , who now came up rosy and smiling . `` Breakfast is ready , sir , '' said Betty , looking much relieved to find them . `` We thought you 'd run away from us , '' explained Bab , as both put out their hands to shake those extended to them . `` That would be a mean trick .
But I 'm going to run away with you , '' and Mr. Brown whisked a little girl to either shoulder before they knew what had happened , while Ben , remembering the day , with difficulty restrained himself from turning a series of triumphant somersaults before them all the way to the door , where Mrs. XXXXX stood waiting for them .
Bab Betty California Moss XXIV dears fortnight goer night undertone