`` Is Ben coming , too ? '' asked Bab , as Betty trotted off in a silent rapture with the big darling bobbing over her shoulder . `` Not yet ; I 've several things to settle with my new man . Tell mother he will come by-and-by . '' Off rushed Bab with the plateful of goodies ; and , drawing Ben down beside her on the wide step , Miss Celia took out the letters , with a shadow creeping over her face as softly as the twilight was stealing over the world , while the dew fell , and every thing grew still and dim . `` Ben , dear , I 've something to tell you , '' she began , slowly ; and the boy waited with a happy face , for no one had called him so since ` Melia died . `` The Squire has heard about your father , and this is the letter Mr. Smithers sends . '' `` Hooray ! where is he , please ? '' cried Ben , wishing she would hurry up ; for Miss Celia did not even offer him the letter , but sat looking down at Sancho on the lower step , as if she wanted him to come and help her . `` He went after the mustangs , and sent some home , but could not come himself . '' `` Went further on , I s ` pose . Yes , he said he might go as far as California , and if he did he 'd send for me . I 'd like to go there ; it 's a real splendid place , they say . '' `` He has gone further away than that , to a lovelier country than California , I hope . '' And Miss Celia 's eyes turned to the deep sky , where early stars were shining . `` Did n't he send for me ? Where 's he gone ? When 's he coming back ? '' asked Ben , quickly ; for there was a quiver in her voice , the meaning of which he felt before he understood .
Miss XXXXX put her arms about him , and answered very tenderly , -- `` Ben , dear , if I were to tell you that he was never coming back , could you bear it ? ''
Bab Ben Betty California Celia Melia Sancho Smithers stealing twilight