`` And I know there is n't a gratefuler man living than I am for your kindness to my poor forsaken little feller , '' answered Mr. Brown , dropping both his burdens to give the comely woman 's hands a hard shake . `` Now do n't say a word about it , but sit down and rest , and we 'll have tea in less 'n no time . Ben must be tired and hungry , though he 's so happy I do n't believe he knows it , '' laughed Mrs. Moss , bustling away to hide the tears in her eyes , anxious to make things sociable and easy all round . With this end in view she set forth her best china , and covered the table with food enough for a dozen , thanking her stars that it was baking day , and every thing had turned out well . Ben and his father sat talking by the window till they were bidden to `` draw up and help themselves '' with such hospitable warmth that every thing had an extra relish to the hungry pair . Ben paused occasionally to stroke the rusty coat-sleeve with bread-and-buttery fingers to convince himself that `` Daddy '' had really come , and his father disposed of various inconvenient emotions by eating as if food was unknown in California . Mrs. Moss beamed on every one from behind the big tea-pot like a mild full moon , while Bab and Betty kept interrupting one another in their eagerness to tell something new about Ben and how Sanch lost his tail . `` Now you let Mr. Brown talk a little ; we all want to hear how he ` came alive , ' as you call it , '' said Mrs. Moss , as they drew round the fire in the `` settin ' - room , '' leaving the tea-things to take care of themselves . It was not a long story , but a very interesting one to this circle of listeners ; all about the wild life on the plains trading for mustangs , the terrible kick from a vicious horse that nearly killed Ben , sen. , the long months of unconsciousness in the California hospital , the slow recovery , the journey back , Mr. Smithers 's tale of the boy 's disappearance , and then the anxious trip to find out from Squire Allen where he now was . `` I asked the hospital folks to write and tell you as soon as I knew whether I was on my head or my heels , and they promised ; but they did n't ; so I came off the minute I could , and worked my way back , expecting to find you at the old place . I was afraid you 'd have worn out your welcome here and gone off again , for you are as fond of travelling as your father . '' `` I wanted to sometimes , but the folks here were so dreadful good to me I could n't , '' confessed Ben , secretly surprised to find that the prospect of going off with Daddy even cost him a pang of regret , for the boy had taken root in the friendly soil , and was no longer a wandering thistle-down , tossed about by every wind that blew . `` I know what I owe 'em , and you and I will work out that debt before we die , or our name is n't B.B. , '' said Mr. Brown , with an emphatic slap on his knee , which Ben imitated half unconsciously as he exclaimed heartily , -- `` That 's so ! '' adding , more quietly , `` What are you going to do now ? Go back to Smithers and the old business ? '' `` Not likely , after the way he treated you , Sonny . I 've had it out with him , and he wo n't want to see me again in a hurry , '' answered Mr. Brown , with a sudden kindling of the eye that reminded Bab of Ben 's face when he shook her after losing Sancho . `` There 's more circuses than his in the world ; but I 'll have to limber out ever so much before I 'm good for much in that line , '' said the boy , stretching his stout arms and legs with a curious mixture of satisfaction and regret . `` You 've been living in clover and got fat , you rascal , '' and his father gave him a poke here and there , as Mr. Squeers did the plump Wackford , when displaying him as a specimen of the fine diet at Do-the-boys Hall . `` Do n't believe I could put you up now if I tried , for I have n't got my strength back yet , and we are both out of practice .
It 's just as well , for I 've about made up my mind to quit the business and settle down somewhere for a spell , if I can get any thing to do , '' continued the rider , folding his arms and gazing thoughtfully into the XXXXX .
Allen B.B. Bab Brown Do-the-boys Sancho Squeers Wackford circuses fire