The boy can sleep at your house , ca n't he ? '' `` Yes , indeed , sir . He can go on doing it , and come up to his work just as well as not . I can see to him then , and he wo n't be a care to any one , '' said Mrs. Moss , heartily . `` I 'll make inquiries concerning your father , boy ; meantime mind what you are about , and have a good report to give when he comes for you , '' returned the Squire , with a warning wag of a stern fore-finger . `` Thanky ' , sir . I will , sir . Father 'll come just as soon as he can , if he is n't sick or lost , '' murmured Ben , inwardly thanking his stars that he had not done any thing to make him quake before that awful finger , and resolved that he never would . Here a red-headed Irishman came to the door , and stood eying the boy with small favor while the Squire gave his orders . `` Pat , this lad wants work . He 's to take the cows and go for them . Give him any light jobs you have , and let me know if he 's good for any thing . '' `` Yis , your honor . Come out o ' this , b ` y , till I show ye the bastes , '' responded Pat ; and , with a hasty good-by to Mrs. Moss , Ben followed his new leader , sorely tempted to play some naughty trick upon him in return for his ungracious reception . But in a moment he forgot that Pat existed , for in the yard stood the Duke of Wellington , so named in honor of his Roman nose . If Ben had known any thing about Shakespeare , he would have cried , `` A horse , a horse ! my kingdom for a horse ! '' for the feeling was in his heart , and he ran up to the stately animal without a fear . Duke put back his ears and swished his tail as if displeased for a moment ; but Ben looked straight in his eyes , gave a scientific stroke to the iron-gray nose , and uttered a chirrup which made the ears prick up as if recognizing a familiar sound . `` He 'll nip ye , if ye go botherin ' that way .
Leave him alone , and attend to the cattle as his honor told ye , '' commanded XXXXX , who made a great show of respect toward Duke in public , and kicked him brutally in private .
Irishman Moss Pat Roman Shakespeare Squire Thanky Wellington botherin chirrup