asked the man , looking over their heads toward the house . `` Only Ma ; all the rest have gone to be married . '' `` That sounds lively . At the other place all the folks had gone to a funeral , '' and the man laughed as he glanced at the big house on the hill . `` Why , do you know the Squire ? '' exclaimed Bab , much surprised and re-assured . `` Come on purpose to see him . Just strolling round till he gets back , '' with an impatient sort of sigh . `` Betty thought you was a tramp , but I was n't afraid . I like tramps ever since Ben came , '' explained Bab , with her usual candor . `` Who 's Ben ! '' and the man came nearer so quickly that Betty nearly fell backward . `` Do n't you be scared , Sissy . I like little girls , so you set easy and tell me about Ben , '' he added , in a persuasive tone , as he leaned on the gate so near that both could see what a friendly face he had in spite of its eager , anxious look . `` Ben is Miss Celia 's boy . We found him most starved in the coach-house , and he 's been here ever since , '' answered Bab , comprehensively . `` Tell me about it . I like tramps , too , '' and the man looked as if he did very much , as Bab told the little story in a few childish words that were better than a much more elegant account . `` You were very good to the little feller , '' was all the man said when she ended her somewhat confused tale , in which she had jumbled the old coach and Miss Celia , dinner-pails and nutting , Sancho and circuses . '' ` Course we were !
He 's a nice boy and we are fond of him , and he likes us , '' said XXXXX , heartily . ''
Bab Ben Betty Celia Sancho Sissy circuses coach-house nutting tramps