Some of the children rather looked down upon him , called him `` tramp '' and `` beggar , '' twitted him with having been a circus boy , and lived in a tent like a gypsy . They did not mean to be cruel , but did it for the sake of teasing , never stopping to think how much such sport can make a fellow-creature suffer . Being a plucky fellow , Ben pretended not to mind ; but he did feel it keenly , because he wanted to start afresh , and be like other boys . He was not ashamed of the old life ; but , finding those around him disapproved of it , he was glad to let it be forgotten , even by himself ; for his latest recollections were not happy ones , and present comforts made past hardships seem harder than before . He said nothing of this to Miss Celia ; but she found it out , and liked him all the better for keeping some of his small worries to himself . Bab and Betty came over Monday afternoon full of indignation at some boyish insult Sam had put upon Ben ; and , finding them too full of it to enjoy the reading , Miss Celia asked what the matter was . Then both little girls burst out in a rapid succession of broken exclamations , which did not give a very clear idea of the difficulty , -- `` Sam did n't like it because Ben jumped farther than he did -- '' `` And he said Ben ought to be in the poor-house . '' `` And Ben said he ought to be in it pigpen . '' `` So he had ! -- such a greedy thing , bringing lovely big apples , and not giving any one a single bite ! '' `` Then he was mad , and we all laughed ; and he said , ` Want to fight ? ' `` And Ben said , ` No , thanky , not much fun in pounding a feather-bed . ' '' `` Oh , he was awfully mad then , and chased Ben up the big maple . '' `` He 's there now , for Sam wo n't let him come down till he takes it all back . '' `` Ben wo n't ; and I do believe he 'll have to stay up all night , '' said Betty , distressfully . `` He wo n't care , and we 'll have fun firing up his supper . Nut cakes and cheese will go splendidly ; and may be baked pears would n't get smashed , he 's such a good catch , '' added Bab , decidedly relishing the prospect . `` If he does not come by tea-time , we will go and look after him . It seems to me I have heard something about Sam 's troubling him before , have n't I ? '' asked Miss Celia , ready to defend her protege against all unfair persecution .
`` Yes , 'm , XXXXX and Mose are always plaguing Ben .
Bab Ben Betty Celia Sam afternoon night pigpen tea-time thanky