Mrs. Moss consoled him in her motherly way , and the little girls did their very best to `` be good to poor Benny . '' But Miss Celia was his truest comforter , and completely won his heart , not only by the friendly words she said and the pleasant things she did , but by the unspoken sympathy which showed itself just at the right minute , in a look , a touch , a smile , more helpful than any amount of condolence . She called him `` my man , '' and Ben tried to be one , bearing his trouble so bravely that she respected him , although he was only a little boy , because it promised well for the future . Then she was so happy herself , it was impossible for those about her to be sad , and Ben soon grew cheerful again in spite of the very tender memory of his father laid quietly away in the safest corner of his heart . He would have been a very unboyish boy if he had not been happy , for the new place was such a pleasant one , he soon felt as if , for the first time , he really had a home . No more grubbing now , but daily tasks which never grew tiresome , they were so varied and so light . No more cross Pats to try his temper , but the sweetest mistress that ever was , since praise was oftener on her lips than blame , and gratitude made willing service a delight . At first , it seemed as if there was going to be trouble between the two boys ; for Thorny was naturally masterful , and illness had left him weak and nervous , so he was often both domineering and petulant . Ben had been taught instant obedience to those older than him self , and if Thorny had been a man Ben would have made no complaint ; but it was hard to be `` ordered round '' by a boy , and an unreasonable one into the bargain . A word from Miss Celia blew away the threatening cloud , however ; and for her sake her brother promised to try to be patient ; for her sake Ben declared he never would `` get mad '' if Mr. Thorny did fidget ; and both very soon forgot all about master and man and lived together like two friendly lads , taking each other 's ups and downs good-naturedly , and finding mutual pleasure and profit in the new companionship . The only point on which they never could agree was legs , and many a hearty laugh did they give Miss Celia by their warm and serious discussion of this vexed question . Thorny insisted that Ben was bowlegged ; Ben resented the epithet , and declared that the legs of all good horsemen must have a slight curve , and any one who knew any thing about the matter would acknowledge both its necessity and its beauty . Then Thorny Would observe that it might be all very well in the saddle , but it made a man waddle like a duck when afoot ; whereat Ben would retort that , for his part , he would rather waddle like a duck than tumble about like a horse with the staggers . He had his opponent there , for poor Thorny did look very like a weak-kneed colt when he tried to walk ; but he would never own it , and came down upon Ben with crushing allusions to centaurs , or the Greeks and Romans , who were famous both for their horsemanship and fine limbs . Ben could not answer that , except by proudly referring to the chariot-races copied from the ancients , in which he had borne a part , which was more than some folks with long legs could say . Gentlemen never did that sort of thing , nor did they twit their best friends with their misfortunes , Thorny would remark ; casting a pensive glance at his thin hands , longing the while to give Ben a good shaking . This hint would remind the other of his young master 's late sufferings and all he owed his dear mistress ; and he usually ended the controversy by turning a few lively somersaults as a vent for his swelling wrath , and come up with his temper all right again . Or , if Thorny happened to be in the wheeled chair , he would trot him round the garden at a pace which nearly took his breath away , thereby proving that if `` bow-legs '' were not beautiful to some benighted beings they were `` good to go . '' Thorny liked that , and would drop the subject for the time by politely introducing some more agreeable topic ; so the impending quarrel would end in a laugh over some boyish joke , and the word `` legs '' be avoided by mutual consent till accident brought it up again . The spirit of rivalry is hidden in the best of us , and is a helpful and inspiring power if we know how to use it .
Miss XXXXX knew this , and tried to make the lads help one another by means of it , -- not in boastful or ungenerous comparison of each other 's gifts , but by interchanging them , giving and taking freely , kindly , and being glad to love what was admirable wherever they found it .
Ben Celia Greeks Pats Thorny accident bow-legs chariot-races condolence staggers