`` Do n't you know that piece ? I spoke it at school . Give it to you now ; see if it is n't a rouser . '' And , glad to find a vent from his excitement , Thorny mounted the meal-chest , to thunder out that stirring ballad with such spirit that Lita pricked up her ears and Ben gave a shrill `` Hooray ! '' as the last verse ended . `` And all I remember is friends flocking round , As I sat with his head ` twixt my knees on the ground , And no voice but was praising this Roland of mine , As I poured down his throat our last measure of wine , Which -LRB- the burgesses voted by common consent -RRB- Was no more than his due who brought good news from Ghent . '' CHAPTER XVI DETECTIVE THORNTON A few days later , Miss Celia was able to go about with her arm in a sling , pale still , and rather stiff , but so much better than any one expected , that all agreed Mr. Paine was right in pronouncing Dr. Mills `` a master hand with broken bones . '' Two devoted little maids waited on her , two eager pages stood ready to run her errands , and friendly neighbors sent in delicacies enough to keep these four young persons busily employed in disposing of them . Every afternoon the great bamboo lounging chair was brought out and the interesting invalid conducted to it by stout Randa , who was head nurse , and followed by a train of shawl , cushion , foot-stool and book bearers , who buzzed about like swarming bees round a new queen . When all were settled , the little maids sewed and the pages read aloud , with much conversation by the way ; for one of the rules was , that all should listen attentively , and if any one did not understand what was read , he or she should ask to have it explained on the spot . Whoever could answer was invited to do so , and at the end of the reading Miss Celia could ask any she liked , or add any explanations which seemed necessary . In this way much pleasure and profit was extracted from the tales Ben and Thorny read , and much unexpected knowledge as well as ignorance displayed , not to mention piles of neatly hemmed towels for which Bab and Betty were paid like regular sewing-women . So vacation was not all play , and the girls found their picnics , berry parties , and `` goin ' a visitin ' , '' all the more agreeable for the quiet hour spent with Miss Celia . Thorny had improved wonderfully , and was getting to be quite energetic , especially since his sister 's accident ; for while she was laid up he was the head of the house , and much enjoyed his promotion . But Ben did not seem to flourish as he had done at first . The loss of Sancho preyed upon him sadly , and the longing to go and find his dog grew into such a strong temptation that he could hardly resist it . He said little about it ; but now , and then a word escaped him which might have enlightened any one who chanced to be watching him . No one was , just then , so he brooded over this fancy , day by day , in silence and solitude , for there was no riding and driving now . Thorny was busy with his sister trying to show her that he remembered how good she had been to him when he was ill , and the little girls had their own affairs . Miss Celia was the first to observe the change , having nothing to do but lie on the sofa and amuse herself by seeing others work or play .
Ben was bright enough at the readings , because then he forgot his troubles ; but when they were over and his various duties done , he went to his own room or sought consolation with XXXXX , being sober and quiet , and quite unlike the merry monkey all knew and liked so well .
Ben Lita Paine Randa THORNTON Thorny accident afternoon bearers errands