asked Ben , soberly ; for that was his besetting sin just now . `` I 'm afraid we ca n't get rid of our faults quite so easily ; I wish we could : but I do believe that if you keep saying that , and trying to stop , you will cure the habit sooner than you think . '' `` I never did swear very bad , and I did n't mind much till I came here ; but Bab and Betty looked so scared when I said ` damn , ' and Mrs. Moss scolded me so , I tried to leave off . It 's dreadful hard , though , when I get mad . ` Hang it ! ' do n't seem half so good if I want to let off steam . '' `` Thorny used to ` confound ! ' every thing , so I proposed that he should whistle instead ; and now he sometimes pipes up so suddenly and shrilly that it makes me jump . How would that do , instead of swearing ? '' proposed Miss Celia , not the least surprised at the habit of profanity , which the boy could hardly help learning among his former associates . Ben laughed , and promised to try it , feeling a mischievous satisfaction at the prospect of out-whistling Master Thorny , as he knew he should ; for the objectionable words rose to his lips a dozen times a day . The Ben was ringing as they drove into town ; and , by the time Lita was comfortably settled in her shed , people were coming up from all quarters to cluster around the steps of the old meeting-house like bees about a hive . Accustomed to a tent , where people kept their hats on , Ben forgot all about his , and was going down the aisle covered , when a gentle hand took it off , and Miss Celia whispered , as she gave it to him , -- `` This is a holy place ; remember that , and uncover at the door . '' Much abashed , Ben followed to the pew , where the Squire and his wife soon joined them . `` Glad to see him here , '' said the old gentleman with an approving nod , as he recognized the boy and remembered his loss . `` Hope he wo n't nestle round in meeting-time , '' whispered Mrs. Allen , composing herself in the corner with much rustling of black silk . `` I 'll take care that he does n't disturb you , '' answered Miss Celia , pushing a stool under the short legs , and drawing a palm-leaf fan within reach . Ben gave an inward sigh at the prospect before him ; for an hour 's captivity to an active lad is hard to bear , and he really did want to behave well . So he folded his arms and sat like a statue , with nothing moving but his eyes . They rolled to and fro , up and down , from the high red pulpit to the worn hymnbooks in the rack , recognizing two little faces under blue-ribboned hats in a distant pew , and finding it impossible to restrain a momentary twinkle in return for the solemn wink Billy Barton bestowed upon him across the aisle .
Ten minutes of this decorous demeanor made it absolutely necessary for him to stir ; so he unfolded his arms and crossed his legs as cautiously as a mouse moves in the presence of a cat ; for Mrs. XXXXX 's eye was on him , and he knew by experience that it was a very sharp one .
Allen Barton Ben Betty Celia Lita Moss day fro hymnbooks