`` Gracious ! how could you do it ? '' asked Bab , looking as if she thought there was magic about . `` That 's nothing ; look here , '' and , taking two plates , Ben sent them spinning up into the air , catching and throwing so rapidly that Bab and Betty stood with their mouths open , as if to swallow the plates should they fall , while Mrs. Moss , with her dish-cloth suspended , watched the antics of her crockery with a housewife 's anxiety . `` That does beat all ! '' was the only exclamation she had time to make ; for , as if desirous of showing his gratitude in the only way he could , Ben took clothes-pins from a basket near by , sent several saucers twirling up , caught them on the pins , balanced the pins on chin , nose , forehead , and went walking about with a new and peculiar sort of toadstool ornamenting his countenance . The children were immensely tickled , and Mrs. Moss was so amused she would have lent her best soup-tureen if he had expressed a wish for it . But Ben was too tired to show all his accomplishments at once , and he soon stopped , looking as if he almost regretted having betrayed that he possessed any . `` I guess you 've been in the juggling business , '' said Mrs. Moss , with a wise nod , for she saw the same look on his face as when he said his name was Ben Brown , -- the look of one who was not telling the whole truth . `` Yes , 'm . I used to help Senor Pedro , the Wizard of the World , and I learned some of his tricks , '' stammered Ben , trying to seem innocent . `` Now , look here , boy , you 'd better tell me the whole story , and tell it true , or I shall have to send you up to judge Morris . I would n't like to do that , for he is a harsh sort of a man ; so , if you have n't done any thing bad , you need n't be afraid to speak out , and I 'll do what I can for you , '' said Mrs. Moss , rather sternly , as she went and sat down in her rocking-chair , as if about to open the court . `` I have n't done any thing bad , and I ai n't afraid , only I do n't want to go back ; and if I tell , may be you 'll let 'em know where I be , '' said Ben , much distressed between his longing to confide in his new friend and his fear of his old enemies . `` If they abused you , of course I would n't . Tell the truth , and I 'll stand by you . Girls , you go for the milk . '' `` Oh , Ma , do let us stay ! We 'll never tell , truly , truly ! '' cried Bab and Betty , full of dismay being sent off when secrets were about to be divulged .
`` I do n't mind 'em , '' said XXXXX handsomely .
Ben Betty Brown Ma Morris clothes-pins crockery fall rocking-chair soup-tureen