`` Do n't lie on that cold stone , Ben ; come here and let me try to comfort you , '' she said , stooping to wipe away the great drops that kept rolling down the brown cheek half hidden in her dress . But Ben put his arm over his face , and sobbed out with a fresh burst of grief , -- `` You ca n't , you did n't know him ! Oh , daddy ! daddy ! if I 'd only seen you jest once more ! '' No one could grant that wish ; but Miss Celia did comfort him , for presently the sound of music floated out from the parlor , -- music so soft , so sweet , that involuntarily the boy stopped his crying to listen ; then quieter tears dropped slowly , seeming to soothe his pain as they fell , while the sense of loneliness passed away , and it grew possible to wait till it was time to go to father in that far-off country lovelier than golden California . How long she played Miss Celia never minded ; but , when she stole out to see if Ben had gone , she found that other friends , even kinder than herself , had taken the boy into their gentle keeping . The wind had sung a lullaby among the rustling lilacs , the moon 's mild face looked through the leafy arch to kiss the heavy eyelids , and faithful Sancho still kept guard beside his little master , who , with his head pillowed on his arm , lay fast asleep , dreaming , happily , that Daddy had come home again . CHAPTER XI SUNDAY Mrs. Moss woke Ben with a kiss next morning , for her heart yearned over the fatherless lad as if he had been her own , and she had no other way of showing her sympathy . Ben had forgotten his troubles in sleep ; but the memory of them returned as soon as he opened his eyes , heavy with the tears they had shed . He did not cry any more , but felt strange and lonely till he called Sancho and told him all about it , for he was shy even with kind Mrs. Moss , and glad when she went away . Sancho seemed to understand that his master was in trouble , and listened to the sad little story with gurgles of interest , whines of condolence , and intelligent barks whenever the word `` daddy '' was uttered . He was only a brute , but his dumb affection comforted the boy more than any words ; for Sanch had known and loved `` father '' almost as long and well as his son , and that seemed to draw them closely together , now they were left alone . `` We must put on mourning , old feller . It 's the proper thing , and there 's nobody else to do it now , '' said Ben , as he dressed , remembering how all the company wore bits of crape somewhere about them at ` Melia 's funeral . It was a real sacrifice of boyish vanity to take the blue ribbon with its silver anchors off the new hat , and replace it with the dingy black band from the old one ; but Ben was quite sincere in doing this , though doubtless his theatrical life made him think of the effect more than other lads would have done . He could find nothing in his limited wardrobe with which to decorate Sanch except a black cambric pocket . It was already half torn out of his trousers with the weight of nails , pebbles , and other light trifles ; so he gave it a final wrench and tied it into the dog 's collar , saying to himself , as he put away his treasures , with a sigh , -- `` One pocket is enough ; I sha 'n' t want anything but a han ` k ` chi ' f to-day . '' Fortunately , that article of dress was clean , for he had but one ; and , with this somewhat ostentatiously drooping from the solitary pocket , the serious hat upon his head , the new shoes creaking mournfully , and Sanch gravely following , much impressed with his black bow , the chief mourner descended , feeling that he had done his best to show respect to the dead . Mrs. Moss 's eyes filled as she saw the rusty band , and guessed why it was there ; but she found it difficult to repress a smile when she beheld the cambric symbol of woe on the dog 's neck .
Not a word was said to disturb the boy 's comfort in these poor attempts , however ; and he went out to do his chores , conscious that he was an object of interest to his friends , especially so to Bab and Betty , who , having been told of XXXXX 's loss , now regarded him with a sort of pitying awe very grateful to his feelings .
Ben Celia Melia Moss Sanch Sancho barks gurgles left wrench