`` Oh , yes , ma'am , I 'd be glad to ! '' answered Ben , eagerly ; for the place seemed home-like already , and the good woman almost as motherly as the departed Mrs. Smithers . `` Well , I 'll step over to the Squire 's to-morrow to see what he says . Should n't wonder if he 'd take you for a chore-boy , if you are as smart as you say . He always has one in the summer , and I have n't seen any round yet . Can you drive cows ? '' `` Hope so ; '' and Ben gave a shrug , as if it was a very unnecessary question to put to a person who had driven four calico ponies in a gilded chariot . `` It may n't be as lively as riding elephants and playing with bears , but it is respectable ; and I guess you 'll be happier switching Brindle and Buttercup than being switched yourself , '' said Mrs. Moss , shaking her head at him with a smile . `` I guess I will , ma'am , '' answered Ben , with sudden meekness , remembering the trials from which he had escaped . Very soon after this , he was sent off for a good night 's sleep in the back bedroom , with Sancho to watch over him . But both found it difficult to slumber till the racket overhead subsided ; for Bab insisted on playing she was a bear and devouring poor Betty , in spite of her wails , till their mother came up and put an end to it by threatening to send Ben and his dog away in the morning , if the girls `` did n't behave and be as still as mice . '' This they solemnly promised ; and they were soon dreaming of gilded cars and mouldy coaches , runaway boys and dinner-pails , dancing dogs and twirling teacups . CHAPTER V BEN GETS A PLACE When Ben awoke next morning , he looked about him for a moment half bewildered , because there was neither a canvas tent , a barn roof , nor the blue sky above him , but a neat white ceiling , where several flies buzzed sociably together , while from without came , not the tramping of horses , the twitter of swallows , or the chirp of early birds , but the comfortable cackle of hens and the sound of two little voices chanting the multiplication table . Sancho sat at the open window , watching the old cat wash her face , and trying to imitate her with his great ruffled paw , so awkwardly that Ben laughed ; and Sanch , to hide his confusion at being caught , made one bound from chair to bed , and licked his master 's face so energetically that the boy dived under the bedclothes to escape from the rough tongue . A rap on the floor from below made both jump up , and in ten minutes a shiny-faced lad and a lively dog went racing downstairs , -- one to say , `` Good-mornin ' , ma'am , '' the other to wag his tail faster than ever tail wagged before , for ham frizzled on the stove , and Sancho was fond of it . `` Did you rest well ? '' asked Mrs. Moss , nodding at him , fork in hand . `` Guess I did ! Never saw such a bed . I 'm used to hay and a horse-blanket , and lately nothin ' but sky for a cover and grass for my feather-bed , '' laughed Ben , grateful for present comforts and making light of past hardships .
`` Clean , sweet corn-husks ai n't bad for young bones , even if they have n't got more flesh on them than yours have , '' answered Mrs. XXXXX , giving the smooth head a motherly stroke as she went by .
Ben Moss Sanch Sancho Smithers cackle dinner-pails meekness minutes wag