ejaculated Ben , so heartily that no further assurances were needed , and Miss Celia went on , well pleased : -- `` You see , poor Thorny is weak and fretful , and does not like to exert himself , though he ought to be out a great deal , and kept from thinking of his little troubles . He can not walk much yet , so I have a wheeled chair to push him in ; and the paths are so hard , it will be easy to roll him about . That will be one thing you can do . Another is to take care of his pets till he is able to do it himself . Then you can tell him your adventures , and talk to him as only a boy can talk to a boy . That will amuse him when I want to write or go out ; but I never leave him long , and hope he will soon be running about as well as the rest of us . How does that sort of work look to you ? '' `` First-rate ! I 'll take real good care of the little feller , and do every thing I know to please him , and so will Sanch ; he 's fond of children , '' answered Ben , heartily , for the new place looked very inviting to him . Miss Celia laughed , and rather damped his ardor by her next words . `` I do n't know what Thorny would say to hear you call him ` little . ' He is fourteen , and appears to get taller and taller every day . He seems like a child to me , because I am nearly ten years older than he is ; but you need n't be afraid of his long legs and big eyes , he is too feeble to do any harm ; only you must n't mind if he orders you about . '' `` I 'm used to that . I do n't mind it if he wo n't call me a ` spalpeen , ' and fire things at me , '' said Ben , thinking of his late trials with Pat . `` I can promise that ; and I am sure Thorny will like you , for I told him your story , and he is anxious to see ` the circus boy ' as he called you . Squire Allen says I may trust you , and I am glad to do so , for it saves me much trouble to find what I want all ready for me . You shall be well fed and clothed , kindly treated and honestly paid , if you like to stay with me . '' `` I know I shall like it -- till father comes , anyway . Squire wrote to Smithers right off , but has n't got any answer yet .
I know they are on the go now , so may be we wo n't hear for ever so long , '' answered XXXXX , feeling less impatient to be off than before this fine proposal was made to him .
Allen Ben Celia Pat Sanch day fire right spalpeen years