`` Jest drove off that way ; Mrs. Flynn 's baby 's in a fit , '' cried a stout lady from the piazza , never ceasing to rock , though several passers-by paused to hear the news , for she was a doctor 's wife , and used to the arrival of excited messengers from all quarters at all hours of the day and night . Deigning no reply to any one , Ben rode away , wishing he could leap a yawning gulf , scale a precipice , or ford a raging torrent , to prove his devotion to Miss Celia , and his skill in horsemanship . But no dangers beset his path , and he found the doctor pausing to water his tired horse at the very trough where Bab and Sancho had been discovered on that ever-memorable day . The story was quickly told , and , promising to be there as soon as possible , Dr. Mills drove on to relieve baby Flynn 's inner man , a little disturbed by a bit of soap and several buttons , upon which he had privately lunched while his mamma was busy at the wash-tub . Ben thanked his stars , as he had already done more than once , that he knew how to take care of a horse ; for he delayed by the watering-place long enough to wash out Lita 's mouth with a handful of wet grass , to let her have one swallow to clear her dusty throat , and then went slowly back over the breezy hills , patting and praising the good creature for her intelligence and speed . She knew well enough that she had been a clever little mare , and tossed her head , arched her glossy neck , and ambled daintily along , as conscious and coquettish as a pretty woman , looking round at her admiring rider to return his compliments by glance of affection , and caressing sniffs of a velvet nose at his bare feet . Miss Celia had been laid comfortably in bed by the farmer 's wife and daughter ; and , when the doctor arrived , bore the setting of her arm bravely . No other serious damage appeared , and bruises soon heal , so Ben was sent home to comfort Thorny with a good report , and ask the Squire to drive up in his big carry-all for her the next day , if she was able to be moved . Mrs. Moss had been wise enough to say nothing , but quietly made what preparations she could , and waited for tidings . Bab and Betty were away berrying , so no one had alarmed Thorny , and he had his afternoon nap in peace , -- an unusually long one , owing to the stillness which prevailed in the absence of the children ; and when he awoke he lay reading for a while before he began to wonder where every one was . Lounging out to see , he found Ben and Lita reposing side by side on the fresh straw in the loose box , which had been made for her in the coach-house . By the pails , sponges and curry-combs lying about , it was evident that she had been refreshed by a careful washing and rubbing down , and my lady was now luxuriously resting after her labors , with her devoted groom half asleep close by . `` Well , of all queer boys you are the queerest , to spend this hot afternoon fussing over Lita , just for the fun of it ! '' cried Thorny , looking in at them with much amusement . `` If you knew what we 'd been doing , you 'd think I ought to fuss over her , and both of us had a right to rest ! '' answered Ben , rousing up as bright as a button ; for he longed to tell his thrilling tale , and had with difficulty been restrained from bursting in on Thorny as soon as he arrived . He made short work of the story , but was quite satisfied with the sensation it produced ; for his listener was startled , relieved , excited and charmed , in such rapid succession , that he was obliged to sit upon the meal-chest and get his breath before he Could exclaim , with an emphatic demonstration of his heels against the bin , -- `` Ben Brown , I 'll never forget what you 've done for Celia this day , or say ` bow-legs ' again as long as I live . '' `` George ! I felt as if I had six legs when we were going the pace . We were all one piece , and had a jolly spin , did n't we , my beauty ? ''
and XXXXX chuckled as he took Lita 's head in his lap , while she answered with a gusty sigh that nearly blew him away .
Ben Brown Lita Moss Sancho carry-all coach-house day wash-tub watering-place