`` And all mine is yours , of course . But , Celia , how could he do it ? He ca n't pick locks , I know , for we fussed over my desk together , and had to break it after all . '' `` I never really thought it possible till to-day when you were playing ball and it went in at the upper window , and Ben climbed up the porch after it ; you remember you said , ` If it had gone in at the garret gable you could n't have done that so well ; ' and he answered , ` Yes , I could , there is n't a spout I ca n't shin up , or a bit of this roof I have n't been over . ' '' `` So he did ; but there is no spout near the little room window . '' `` There is a tree , and such an agile boy as Ben could swing in and out easily . Now , Thorny , I hate to think this of him , but it has happened twice , and for his own sake I must stop it . If he is planning to run away , money is a good thing to have . And he may feel that it is his own ; for you know he asked me to put his wages in the bank , and I did . He may not like to come to me for that , because he can give no good reason for wanting it . I 'm so troubled I really do n't know what to do . '' She looked troubled , and Thorny put his arms about her as if to keep all worries but his own away from her . `` Do n't you fret , Cely , dear ; you leave it to me . I 'll fix him -- ungrateful little scamp ! '' `` That is not the way to begin . I am afraid you will make him angry and hurt his feelings , and then we can do nothing . '' `` Bother his feelings ! I shall just say , calmly and coolly : ` Now , look here , Ben , hand over the money you took out of my sister 's drawer , and we 'll let you off easy , ' or something like that . '' `` It would n't do , Thorny ; his temper would be up in a minute , and away he would go before we could find out whether he was guilty or not . I wish I knew how to manage . ''
`` Let me think , '' and XXXXX leaned his chin on the arm of the chair , staring hard at the knocker as if he expected the lion 's mouth to open with words of counsel then and there .
Ben Celia Cely Thorny garret minute money sake scamp something