whispered Ben , but they heard him and prepared for pistols , rockets or combustibles of some sort , as ships were impossible under the circumstances , and no other `` She '' occurred to them . A unanimous `` O-o-o-o ! '' was heard when the curtain rose , but a stern `` Hush ! '' from Thorny kept them mutely staring with all their eyes at the grand spectacle of the evening . There stood Lita with a wide flat saddle on her back , a white head-stall and reins , blue rosettes in her ears , and the look of a much-bewildered beast in her bright eyes . But who the gauzy , spangled , winged creature was , with a gilt crown on its head , a little bow in its hand , and one white slipper in the air , while the other seemed merely to touch the saddle , no one could tell for a minute , so strange and splendid did the apparition appear . No wonder Ben was not recognized in this brilliant disguise , which was more natural to him than Billy 's blue flannel or Thorny 's respectable garments . He had so begged to be allowed to show himself `` just once , '' as he used to be in the days when `` father '' tossed him up on the bare-backed old General , for hundreds to see and admire , that Miss Celia had consented , much against her will , and hastily arranged some bits of spangled tarlatan over the white cotton suit which was to simulate the regulation tights . Her old dancing slippers fitted , and gold paper did the rest , while Ben , sure of his power over Lita , promised not to break his bones , and lived for days on the thought of the moment when he could show the boys that he had not boasted vainly of past splendors . Before the delighted children could get their breath , Lita gave signs of her dislike to the foot-lights , and , gathering up the reins that lay on her neck , Ben gave the old cry , `` Houp-la ! '' and let her go , as he had often done before , straight out of the coach-house for a gallop round the orchard . `` Just turn about and you can see perfectly well , but stay where you are till he comes back , '' commanded Thorny , as signs of commotion appeared in the excited audience . Round went the twenty children as if turned by one crank , and sitting there they looked out into the moonlight where the shining figure flashed to and fro , now so near they could see the smiling face under the crown , now so far away that it glittered like a fire-fly among the dusky green . Lita enjoyed that race as heartily as she had done several others of late , and caracoled about as if anxious to make up for her lack of skill by speed and obedience . How much Ben liked it there is no need to tell , yet it was a proof of the good which three months of a quiet , useful life had done him , that even as he pranced gayly under the boughs thick with the red and yellow apples almost ready to be gathered , he found this riding in the fresh air with only his mates for an audience pleasanter than the crowded tent , the tired horses , profane men , and painted women , friendly as some of them had been to him . After the first burst was over , he felt rather glad , on the whole , that he was going back to plain clothes , helpful school , and kindly people , who cared more to have him a good boy than the most famous Cupid that ever stood on one leg with a fast horse under him . `` You may make as much noise as you like , now ; Lita 's had her run and will be as quiet as a lamb after it . Pull up , Ben , and come in ; sister says you 'll get cold , '' shouted Thorny , as the rider came cantering round after a leap over the lodge gate and back again . So Ben pulled up , and the admiring boys and girls were allowed to gather about him , loud in their praises as they examined the pretty mare and the mythological character who lay easily on her back . He looked very little like the god of love now ; for he had lost one slipper and splashed his white legs with dew and dust , the crown had slipped down upon his neck , and the paper wings hung in an apple-tree where he had left them as he went by .
No trouble in recognizing Ben , now ; but somehow he did n't want to be seen , and , instead of staying to be praised , he soon slipped away , making XXXXX his excuse to vanish behind the curtain while the rest went into the house to have a finishing-off game of blindman 's - buff in the big kitchen .
Ben General Lita first foot-lights fro head-stall minute splendors tights