`` 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 , Sam and Mose are always plaguing Ben . They are big boys , and we ca n't make them stop . I wo n't let the girls do it , and the little boys do n't dare to , since Teacher spoke to them . '' answered Bab . `` Why does not Teacher speak to the big ones ? `` Ben wo n't tell of them , or let us . He says he 'll fight his own battles , and hates tell-tales . I guess he wo n't like to have us tell you , but I do n't care , for it is too bad ! '' and Betty looked ready to cry over her friend 's tribulations . `` I 'm glad you did , for I will attend to it , and stop this sort of thing , '' said Miss Celia , after the children had told some of the tormenting speeches which had tried poor Ben . Just then Thorny appeared , looking much amused , and the little girls both called out in a breath , `` Did you see Ben and get him down ? '' `` He got himself down in the neatest way you can imagine ; '' and Thorny laughed at the recollection . `` Where is Sam ? ''
asked XXXXX .
Bab Ben Betty Mose Teacher Thorny night tea-time tell-tales tribulations