`` Why does not Teacher speak to the big ones ? `` Ben wo n't tell of them , or let us . He says he 'll fight his own battles , and hates tell-tales . I guess he wo n't like to have us tell you , but I do n't care , for it is too bad ! '' and Betty looked ready to cry over her friend 's tribulations . `` I 'm glad you did , for I will attend to it , and stop this sort of thing , '' said Miss Celia , after the children had told some of the tormenting speeches which had tried poor Ben . Just then Thorny appeared , looking much amused , and the little girls both called out in a breath , `` Did you see Ben and get him down ? '' `` He got himself down in the neatest way you can imagine ; '' and Thorny laughed at the recollection . `` Where is Sam ? '' asked Bab . `` Staring up at the sky to see where Ben has flown to . '' `` Oh , tell about it ! '' begged Betty . `` Well , I came along and found Ben treed , and Sam stoning him . I stopped that at once , and told the ` fat boy ' to be off . He said he would n't till Ben begged his pardon ; and Ben said he would n't do it , if he stayed up for a week . I was just preparing to give that rascal a scientific thrashing , when a load of hay came along , and Ben dropped on to it so quietly that Sam , who was trying to bully me , never saw him go . It tickled me so , I told Sam I guessed I 'd let him off that time , and walked away , leaving him to hunt for Ben , and wonder where the dickens he had vanished to . '' The idea of Sam 's bewilderment amused the others as much as Thorny , and they all had a good laugh over it before Miss Celia asked , -- `` Where has Ben gone now ? '' `` Oh , he 'll take a little ride , and then slip down and race home full of the fun of it .
But I 've got to settle XXXXX .
Bab Ben Betty Sam Teacher Thorny tell-tales thrashing tribulations week