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 Celia 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 . Thorny admired Ben 's strength , activity , and independence ; Ben envied Thorny 's learning , good manners , and comfortable surroundings ; and , when a wise word had set the matter rightly before them , both enjoyed the feeling that there was a certain equality between them , since money could not buy health , and practical knowledge was as useful as any that can be found in books . So they interchanged their small experiences , accomplishments , and pleasures , and both were the better , as well as the happier , for it ; because in this way only can we truly love our neighbor as ourself , and get the real sweetness out of life . There was no end to the new and pleasant things Ben had to do , from keeping paths and flower-beds neat , feeding the pets , and running errands , to waiting on Thorny and being right-hand man to Miss Celia . He had a little room in the old house , newly papered with hunting scenes , which he was never tired of admiring . In the closet hung several out-grown suits of Thorny 's , made over for his valet ; and , what Ben valued infinitely more , a pair of boots , well blacked and ready for grand occasions , when he rode abroad , with one old spur , found in the attic , brightened up and merely worn for show , since nothing would have induced him to prick beloved Lita with it . Many pictures , cut from illustrated papers , of races , animals , and birds , were stuck round the room , giving it rather the air of a circus and menagerie . This , however , made it only the more home-like to its present owner , who felt exceedingly rich and respectable as he surveyed his premises ; almost like a retired showman who still fondly remembers past successes , though now happy in the more private walks of life . In one drawer of the quaint little bureau which he used , were kept the relics of his father ; very few and poor , and of no interest to any one but himself , -- only the letter telling of his death , a worn-out watch-chain , and a photograph of Senor Jose Montebello , with his youthful son standing on his head , both airily attired , and both smiling with the calmly superior expression which gentlemen of their profession usually wear in public . Ben 's other treasures had been stolen with his bundle ; but these he cherished and often looked at when he went to bed , wondering what heaven was like , since it was lovelier than California , and usually fell asleep with a dreamy impression that it must be something like America when Columbus found it , -- `` a pleasant land , where were gay flowers and tall trees , with leaves and fruit such as they had never seen before . '' And through this happy hunting-ground `` father '' was for ever riding on a beautiful white horse with wings , like the one of which Miss Celia had a picture .
Nice times XXXXX had in his little room poring over his books , for he soon had several of his own ; but his favorites were Hamerton 's `` Animals '' and `` Our Dumb Friends , '' both full of interesting pictures and anecdotes such as boys love .
Ben California Greeks Lita Thorny bow-legs flower-beds ourself right watch-chain