I 'd like to go there ; it 's a real splendid place , they say . '' `` He has gone further away than that , to a lovelier country than California , I hope . '' And Miss Celia 's eyes turned to the deep sky , where early stars were shining . `` Did n't he send for me ? Where 's he gone ? When 's he coming back ? '' asked Ben , quickly ; for there was a quiver in her voice , the meaning of which he felt before he understood . Miss Celia put her arms about him , and answered very tenderly , -- `` Ben , dear , if I were to tell you that he was never coming back , could you bear it ? '' `` I guess I could , -- but you do n't mean it ? Oh , ma'am , he is n't dead ? '' cried Ben , with a cry that made her heart ache , and Sancho leap up with a bark . `` My poor little boy , I wish I could say no . '' There was no need of any more words , no need of tears or kind arms around him . He knew he was an orphan now , and turned instinctively to the old friend who loved him best . Throwing himself down beside his dog , Ben clung about the curly neck , sobbing bitterly , -- `` Oh , Sanch , he 's never coming back again ; never , never any more ! '' Poor Sancho could only whine and lick away the tears that wet the half-hidden face , questioning the new friend meantime with eyes so full of dumb love and sympathy and sorrow that they seemed almost human . Wiping away her own tears , Miss Celia stooped to pat the white head , and to stroke the black one lying so near it that the dog 's breast was the boy 's pillow . Presently the sobbing ceased , and Ben whispered , without looking up , -- `` Tell me all about it ; I 'll be good . '' Then , as kindly as she could , Miss Celia read the brief letter which told the hard news bluntly ; for Mr. Smithers was obliged to confess that he had known the truth months before , and never told the boy , lest he should be unfitted for the work they gave him . Of Ben Brown the elder 's death there was little to tell , except that he was killed in some wild place at the West , and a stranger wrote the fact to the only person whose name was found in Ben 's pocket-book .
Mr. XXXXX offered to take the boy back and `` do well by him , '' averring that the father wished his son to remain where he left him , and follow the profession to which he was trained .
Ben Brown California Celia Sanch Sancho Smithers West months quiver