Lounging out to see , he found Ben and Lita reposing side by side on the fresh straw in the loose box , which had been made for her in the coach-house . By the pails , sponges and curry-combs lying about , it was evident that she had been refreshed by a careful washing and rubbing down , and my lady was now luxuriously resting after her labors , with her devoted groom half asleep close by . `` Well , of all queer boys you are the queerest , to spend this hot afternoon fussing over Lita , just for the fun of it ! '' cried Thorny , looking in at them with much amusement . `` If you knew what we 'd been doing , you 'd think I ought to fuss over her , and both of us had a right to rest ! '' answered Ben , rousing up as bright as a button ; for he longed to tell his thrilling tale , and had with difficulty been restrained from bursting in on Thorny as soon as he arrived . He made short work of the story , but was quite satisfied with the sensation it produced ; for his listener was startled , relieved , excited and charmed , in such rapid succession , that he was obliged to sit upon the meal-chest and get his breath before he Could exclaim , with an emphatic demonstration of his heels against the bin , -- `` Ben Brown , I 'll never forget what you 've done for Celia this day , or say ` bow-legs ' again as long as I live . '' `` George ! I felt as if I had six legs when we were going the pace . We were all one piece , and had a jolly spin , did n't we , my beauty ? '' and Ben chuckled as he took Lita 's head in his lap , while she answered with a gusty sigh that nearly blew him away . `` Like the fellow that brought the good news from Ghent to Aix , '' said Thorny , surveying the recumbent pair with great admiration . `` What follow ? '' asked Ben , wondering if he did n't mean Sheridan , of whose ride he had heard . `` 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 XXXXX 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 . ''
Aix Celia Lita Roland Sheridan bow-legs coach-house curry-combs meal-chest right