Do you think he would slip away without telling us , and go back to the old life again ? Do n't believe he would . Ben is n't a bit of a sneak ; that 's why I like him . '' `` Have you ever found him sly or untrue in any way ? '' asked Miss Celia , lowering her voice . `` No ; he 's as fair and square a fellow as I ever saw . Little bit low , now and then , but he does n't mean it , and wants to be a gentleman , only he never lived with one before , and it 's all new to him . I 'll get him polished up after a while . '' `` Oh , Thorny , there are three peacocks on the place , and you are the finest ! '' laughed Miss Celia , as her brother spoke in his most condescending way with a lift of the eyebrows very droll to see . `` And two donkeys , and Ben 's the biggest , not to know when he is well off and happy ! '' retorted the `` gentleman , '' slapping a dried specimen on the page as if he were pounding discontented Ben . `` Come here and let me tell you something which worries me . I would not breathe it to another soul , but I feel rather helpless , and I dare say you can manage the matter better than I. '' Looking much mystified , Thorny went and sat on the stool at his sister 's feet , while she whispered confidentially in his ear : `` I 've lost some money out of my drawer , and I 'm so afraid Ben took it . '' `` But it 's always locked up and you keep the keys of the drawer and the little room ? '' `` It is gone , nevertheless , and I 've had my keys safe all the time . '' `` But why think it is he any more than Randa , or Katy , or me ? '' `` Because I trust you three as I do myself . I 've known the girls for years , and you have no object in taking it since all I have is yours , dear . '' `` And all mine is yours , of course .
But , XXXXX , how could he do it ?
Ben Celia Katy Randa Thorny donkeys something soul stool years