`` The dressing-room , she means ; you know the way , and you do n't need keys to get in , '' added Thorny , with such sarcastic emphasis that Ben felt some insult was intended , and promptly resented it . `` You wo n't get me to climb any more trees after your balls , and my cat wo n't catch any of your mice , so you need n't ask me . '' `` Cats do n't catch thieves , and they are what I 'm after ! '' `` What do you mean by that ? '' fiercely demanded Ben . `` Celia has lost some money out of her drawer , and you wo n't let me see what 's in yours ; So I thought , perhaps , you 'd got it ! '' blurted out Thorny , finding it hard to say the words , angry as he was , for the face opposite did not look like a guilty one . For a minute , Ben did not seem to understand him , plainly as he spoke ; then he turned an angry scarlet , and , with a reproachful glance at his mistress , opened the little drawer so that both could see all that it contained . `` They ai n't any thing ; but I 'm fond of 'em they are all I 've got -- I was afraid he 'd laugh at me that time , so I would n't let him look -- it was father 's birthday , and I felt bad about him and Sanch -- '' Ben 's indignant voice got more and more indistinct as he stumbled on , and broke down over the last words . He did not cry , however , but threw back his little treasures as if half their sacredness was gone ; and , making a strong effort at self-control , faced around , asking of Miss Celia , with a grieved look , `` Did you think I 'd steal anything of yours ? '' `` I tried not to , Ben , but what could I do ? It was gone , and you the only stranger about the place . '' `` Was n't there any one to think bad of but me ? he said , so sorrowfully that Miss Celia made up her mind on the spot that he was as innocent of the theft as the kitten now biting her buttons , no other refreshment being offered . `` Nobody , for I know my girls well . Yet , eleven dollars are gone , and I can not imagine where or how for both drawer and door are always locked , because my papers and valuables are in that room . '' `` What a lot ! But how could I get it if it was locked up ? '' and Ben looked as if that question was unanswerable . `` Folks that can climb in at windows for a ball , can go the same way for money , and get it easy enough when they 've only to pry open an old lock ! ''
Thorny 's look and tone seemed to make plain to XXXXX all that they had been suspecting , and , being innocent , he was too perplexed and unhappy to defend himself .
Ben Cats Celia Sanch dollars dressing-room minute money theft valuables