Then she was so happy herself, it was impossible forthose about her to be sad, and Ben soon grew cheerfulagain in spite of the very tender memory of his fatherlaid quietly away in the safest corner of his heart. Hewould have been a very unboyish boy if he had not beenhappy, for the new place was such a pleasant one, hesoon felt as if, for the first time, he really had a home.

 

　　No more grubbing now, but daily tasks which nevergrew tiresome, they were so varied and so light. Nomore cross Pats to try his temper, but the sweetestmistress that ever was, since praise was oftener on herlips than blame, and gratitude made willing service adelight.

 

　　At first, it seemed as if there was going to be troublebetween the two boys; for Thorny was naturally masterful,and illness had left him weak and nervous, so hewas often both domineering and petulant. Ben hadbeen taught instant obedience to those older than himself, and if Thorny had been a man Ben would havemade no complaint; but it was hard to be "orderedround" by a boy, and an unreasonable one into thebargain.

 

　　A word from Miss Celia blew away the threateningcloud, however; and for her sake her brother promisedto try to be patient; for her sake Ben declared he neverwould "get mad" if Mr. Thorny did fidget; and bothvery soon forgot all about master and man and livedtogether like two friendly lads, taking each other's upsand downs good-naturedly, and finding mutual pleasureand profit in the new companionship.

 

　　The only point on which they never could agree waslegs, and many a hearty laugh did they give Miss Celiaby their warm and serious discussion of this vexed question.

 

　　Thorny insisted that Ben was bow1egged; Benresented the epithet, and declared that the legs of allgood horsemen must have a slight curve, and any onewho knew any thing about the matter would acknowledgeboth its necessity and its beauty. Then ThornyWould observe that it might be all very well in the saddle,but it made a man waddle like a duck when afoot;whereat Ben would retort that, for his part, he wouldrather waddle like a duck than tumble about like ahorse with the staggers. He had his opponent there,for poor Thorny did look very like a weak-kneed coltwhen he tried to walk; but he would never own it, andcame down upon Ben with crushing allusions to centaurs,or the Greeks and Romans, who were famous bothfor their horsemanship and fine limbs. Ben could notanswer that, except by proudly referring to the chariot-races copied from the ancients, in which he had bornea part, which was more than somefolks with long legscould say. Gentlemen never did that sort of thing,nor did they twit their best friends with their misfortunes,Thorny would remark; casting a pensive glanceat his thin hands, longing the while to give Ben a goodshaking. This hint would remind the other of hisyoung master's late sufferings and all he owed his dearmistress; and he usually ended the controversy byturning a few lively somersaults as a vent for his swellingwrath, and come up with his temper all right again.

 

　　Or, if Thorny happened to be in the wheeled chair, hewould trot him round the garden at a pace which nearlytook his breath away, thereby proving that if "bow-legs" were not beautiful to some benighted beings theywere "good to go."Thorny liked that, and would drop the subject forthe time by politely introducing some more agreeabletopic; so the impending quarrel would end in alaugh over some boyish joke, and the word "legsbe avoided by mutual consent till accident broughtit up again.

 

　　The spirit of rivalry is hidden in the best of us, andis a helpful and inspiring power if we know how to useit. Miss Celia knew this, and tried to make the ladshelp one another by means of it, -- not in boastful orungenerous comparison of each other's gifts, but byinterchanging them, giving and taking freely, kindly,and being glad to love what was admirable whereverthey found it. Thorny admired Ben's strength, activ-ity, and independence; Ben envied Thorny's learning,good manners, and comfortable surroundings; and,when a wise word had set the matter rightly beforethem, both enjoyed the feeling that there was a certainequality between them, since money could not buyhealth, and practical knowledge was as useful as anythat can be found in books. So they interchangedtheir small experiences, accomplishments, and pleasures,and both were the better, as well as the happier,for it; because in this way only can we truly love ourneighbor as ourself, and get the real sweetness out oflife.

 

　　There was no end to the new and pleasant thingsBen had to do, from keeping paths and flower-bedsneat, feeding the pets, and running errands, to waitingon Thorny and being right-hand man to Miss Celia.

 

　　He had a little room in the old house, newly paperedwith hunting scenes, which he was never tired of admiring.

 

　　In the closet hung several out-grown suitsof Thorny's, made over for his valet; and, what Benvalued infinitely more, a pair of boots, well blackedand ready for grand occasions, when he rode abroad,with one old spur, found in the attic, brightened upand merely worn for show, since nothing would haveinduced him to prick beloved Lita with it.

 

　　Many pictures, cut from illustrated papers, of races,animals, and birds, were stuck round the room, givingit rather the air of a circus and menagerie. This, however,made it only the more home-like to its presentowner, who felt exceedingly rich and respectable as hesurveyed his premises; almost like a retired showmanwho still fondly remembers past successes, though nowhappy in the more private walks of life.

 

　　In one drawer of the quaint little bureau which heused, were kept the relics of his father; very few andpoor, and of no interest to any one but himself, --only the letter telling of his death, a worn-out watch-chain,and a photograph of Senor Jose Montebello,with his youthful son standing on his head, both airilyattired, and both smiling with the calmly superior expressionwhich gentlemen of their profession usuallywear in public. Ben's other treasures had been stolenwith his bundle; but these he cherished and oftenlooked at when he went to bed, wondering whatheaven was like, since it was lovelier than California,and usually fell asleep with a dreamy impression thatit must be something like America when Columbusfound it, -- "a pleasant land, where were gay flowersand tall trees, with leaves and fruit such as they hadnever seen before." And through this happy hunt-ing-ground"father" was for ever riding on a beautiful white horsewith wings, like the one of which MissCelia had a picture.

 

　　Nice times Ben had in his little room poring overhis books, for he soon had several of his own; buthis favorites were Hamerton's "Animals" and "OurDumb Friends," both full of interesting pictures andanecdotes such as boys love. Still nicer times workingabout the house, helping get things in order; andbest of all were the daily drives with Miss Celia andThorny, when weather permitted, or solitary rides totown through the heaviest rain, for certain lettersmust go and come, no matter how the elements raged.

 

　　The neighbors soon got used to the "antics of thatboy," but Ben knew that he was an object of interestas he careered down the main street in a way thatmade old ladies cry out and brought people flying tothe window, sure that some one was being run awaywith. Lita enjoyed the fun as much as he, and apparentlydid her best to send him heels over head, having rapidlyearned to understand the signs he gaveher by the touch of hand and foot, or the tones ofhis voice.

 

　　These performances caused the boys to regard BenBrown with intense admiration, the girls with timidawe, all but Bab, who burned to imitate him, and triedher best whenever she got a chance, much to the anguishand dismay of poor Jack, for that long-sufferinganimal was the only steed she was allowed to ride.

 

　　Fortunately, neither she nor Betty had much time forplay just now, as school was about to close for thelong vacation, and all the little people were busyfinishing up, that they might go to play with freeminds. So the "lilac-parties," as they called them,were deferred till later, and the lads amused themselvesin their own way, with Miss Celia to suggestand advise.

 

　　It took Thorny a long time to arrange his possessions,for he could only direct while Ben unpacked,wondering and adiniring as he worked, because he hadnever seen so many boyish treasures before. Thelitte printing-press was his especial delight, and leavingevery thing else in confusion, Thorny taught himits and planned a newspaper on the spot, with Benfor printer, himself for editor, and "Sister" for chiefcontributor, while Bab should be carrier and Bettyoffice-boy. Next came a postage-stamp book, and arainy day was happily spent in pasting a new collectionwhere each particular one belonged, with copiousexplanations from Thorny as they went along. Bendid not feel any great interest in this amusement afterone trial of it, but when a book containing patternsof the flags of all nations turned up, he was seizedwith a desire to copy them all, so that the housecould be fitly decorated on gala occasions. Findingthat it amused her brother, Miss Celia generouslyopened her piece-drawer and rag-bag, and as themania grew till her resources were exhausted, shebought bits of gay cambric and many-colured papers,and startled the store-keeper by purchasing severalbottles of mucilage at once. Bab and Betty wereinvited to sew the bright strips of stars, and prickedtheir little fingers assiduously, finding this sort ofneedle-work much more attractive than piecing bed-quilts.

 

　　Such a snipping and pasting, planning and stitchingas went on in the big back room, which was givenup to them, and such a noble array of banners andpetitions as soon decorated its walls, would havecaused the dullest eye to brighten with amusement,if not with admiration. Of course, the Stars andStripes hung highest, with the English lion rampingon the royal standard close by; then followed a regularpicture-gallery, for there was the white elephant ofSiam, the splendid peacock of Burmah, the double-headed Russian eagle, and black dragon of China,the winged lion of Venice, and the prancing pair onthe red, white, and blue flag of Holland. The keysand mitre of the Papal States were a hard job, but upthey went at last, with the yellow crescent of Turkeyon one side and the red full moon of Japan on theother; the pretty blue and white flag of Greece hungbelow and the cross of free Switzerland above. Ifmaterials had held out, the flags of all the UnitedStates would have followed; but paste and patiencewere exhausted, so the busy workers rested awhilebefore they "flung their banner to the breeze," asthe newspapers have it.