Ben was bright enough at the readings , because then he forgot his troubles ; but when they were over and his various duties done , he went to his own room or sought consolation with Lita , being sober and quiet , and quite unlike the merry monkey all knew and liked so well . `` Thorny , what is the matter with Ben ? '' asked Miss Celia , one day , when she and her brother were alone in the `` green parlor , '' as they called the lilac-tree walk . `` Fretting about Sanch , I suppose . I declare I wish that dog had never been born ! Losing him has just spoilt Ben . Not a bit of fun left in him , and he wo n't have any thing I offer to cheer him up . '' Thorny spoke impatiently , and knit his brows over the pressed flowers he was neatly gumming into his herbal . `` I wonder if he has any thing on his mind ? He acts as if he was hiding a trouble he did n't dare to tell . Have you talked with him about it ? '' asked Miss Celia , looking as if she was hiding a trouble she did not like to tell . `` Oh , yes , I poke him up now and then , but he gets peppery , so I let him alone . May be he is longing for his old circus again . Should n't blame him much if he was ; it is n't very lively here , and he 's used to excitement , you know . '' `` I hope it is n't that . Do you think he would slip away without telling us , and go back to the old life again ? Do n't believe he would . Ben is n't a bit of a sneak ; that 's why I like him . '' `` Have you ever found him sly or untrue in any way ? ''
asked Miss XXXXX , lowering her voice .
Ben Celia Lita Sanch brother circus day left parlor troubles