`` Do n't you think it 's pretty nice here ? '' asked Bab , as his eye came back to them after a long look , which seemed to take in every thing , brightening as it roved . `` Just the nicest place that ever was . Only needs a horse round somewhere to be complete , '' answered Ben , as the long well-sweep came up with a dripping bucket at one end , an old grindstone at the other . `` The judge has three , but he 's so fussy about them he wo n't even let us pull a few hairs out of old Major 's tail to make rings of , '' said Betty , shutting her arithmetic , with an injured expression . `` Mike lets me ride the white one to water when the judge is n't round . It 's such fun to go jouncing down the lane and back . I do love horses ! '' cried Bab , bobbing up and down on the blue bench to imitate the motion of white Jenny . `` I guess you are a plucky sort of a girl , '' and Ben gave her an approving look as he went by , taking care to slop a little water on Mrs. Puss , who stood curling her whiskers and humping up her back at Sancho . `` Come to breakfast ! '' called Mrs. Moss ; and for about twenty minutes little was said , as mush and milk vanished in a way that would have astonished even Jack the Giant-killer with his leather bag . `` Now , girls , fly round and get your chores done up ; Ben , you go chop me some kindlings ; and I 'll make things tidy . Then we can all start off at once , '' said Mrs. Moss , as the last mouthful vanished , and Sancho licked his lips over the savory scraps that fell to his share . Ben fell to chopping so vigorously that chips flew wildly all about the shed ; Bab rattled the cups into her dish-pan with dangerous haste , and Betty raised a cloud of dust `` sweeping-up ; '' while mother seemed to be everywhere at once . Even Sanch , feeling that his fate was at stake , endeavored to help in his own somewhat erratic way , -- now frisking about Ben at the risk of getting his tail chopped off , then trotting away to poke his inquisitive nose into every closet and room whither he followed Mrs. Moss in her `` flying round '' evolutions ; next dragging off the mat so Betty could brush the door-steps , or inspecting Bab 's dish-washing by standing on his hind-legs to survey the table with a critical air . When they drove him out he was not the least offended , but gayly barked Puss up a tree , chased all the hens over the fence , and carefully interred an old shoe in the garden , where the remains of the mutton-bone were already buried . By the time the others were ready , he had worked off his superfluous spirits , and trotted behind the party like a well-behaved dog accustomed to go out walking with ladies . At the cross-roads they separated , the little girls running on to school , while Mrs. Moss and Ben went up to the Squire 's big house on the hill . `` Do n't you be scared , child .
I 'LL make it all right about your running away ; and if the Squire gives you a job , just thank him for it , and do your best to be steady and industrious ; then you 'll get on , I have n't a doubt , '' she whispered , ringing the XXXXX at a side-door , on which the word `` Morris '' shone in bright letters .
Ben Moss Puss Sancho cross-roads evolutions hind-legs minutes mush mutton-bone