On the other hand , he was not obliged to stay a minute longer unless he liked . With a comfortable suit of clothes , a dollar in his pocket , and a row of dinner-baskets hanging in the school-house entry to supply him with provisions if he did n't mind stealing them , what was easier than to run away again ? Tramping has its charms in fair weather , and Ben had lived like a gypsy under canvas for years ; so he feared nothing , and began to look down the leafy road with a restless , wistful expression , as the temptation grew stronger and stronger every minute . Sancho seemed to share the longing , for he kept running off a little way and stopping to frisk and bark ; then rushed back to sit watching his master with those intelligent eyes of his , which seemed to say , `` Come on , Ben , let us scamper down this pleasant road and never stop till we are tired . '' Swallows darted by , white clouds fled before the balmy west wind , a squirrel ran along the wall , and all things seemed to echo the boy 's desire to leave toil behind and roam away as care-free as they . One thing restrained him , the thought of his seeming ingratitude to good Mrs. Moss , and the disappointment of the little girls at the loss of their two new play-fellows . While he paused to think of this , something happened which kept him from doing what he would have been sure to regret afterward . Horses had always been his best friends , and one came trotting up to help him now ; though he did not know how much he owed it till long after . Just in the act of swinging himself over the bars to take a shortcut across the fields , the sound of approaching hoofs , unaccompanied by the roll of wheels , caught his ear ; and , pausing , he watched eagerly to see who was coming at such a pace . At the turn of road , however , the quick trot stopped , and in a moment a lady on a bay mare came pacing slowly into sight , -- a young and pretty lady , all in dark blue , with a bunch of dandelions like yellow stars in her button-hole , and a silver-handled whip hanging from the pommel of her saddle , evidently more for ornament than use . The handsome mare limped a little , and shook her head as if something plagued her ; while her mistress leaned down to see what was the matter , saying , as if she expected an answer of some sort , -- `` Now , Chevalita , if you have got a stone in your foot , I shall have to get off and take it out . Why do n't you look where you step , and save me all this trouble ? '' `` I 'll look for you , ma'am ; I 'd like to ! '' said an eager voice so unexpectedly , that both horse and rider started as a boy came down the bank with a jump . `` I wish you would . You need not be afraid ; Lita is as gentle as a lamb , '' answered the young lady , smiling , as if amused by the boy 's earnestness . `` She 's a beauty , any way , '' muttered Ben , lifting one foot after another till he found the stone , and with some trouble got it out . `` That was nicely done , and I 'm much obliged . Can you tell me if that cross-road leads to the Elms ? '' asked the lady , as she went slowly on with Ben beside her .
`` No , ma'am ; I 'm new in these parts , and I only know where Squire Morris and Mrs. XXXXX live . ''
Chevalita Lita Moss Sancho button-hole cross-road dandelions play-fellows stealing years