squire to drive up in his big carry-all for her the next day, if she
was able to be moved.

Mrs. Moss had been wise enough to say nothing, but quietly made what
preparations she could, and waited for tidings. Bab and Betty were
away berrying, so no one had alarmed Thorny, and he had his afternoon
nap in peace,--an unusually long one, owing to the stillness which
prevailed in the absence of the children; and when he awoke he lay
reading for a while before he began to wonder where every one was.
Lounging out to see, he found Ben and Lita reposing side by side on
the fresh straw in the loose box, which had been made for her in the
coach-house. By the pails, sponges and curry-combs lying about, it was
evident that she had been refreshed by a careful washing and rubbing
down, and my lady was now luxuriously resting after her labors, with
her devoted groom half asleep close by.

"Well, of all queer boys you are the queerest, to spend this hot
afternoon fussing over Lita, just for the fun of it!" cried Thorny,
looking in at them with much amusement.

"If you knew what we'd been doing you'd think I ought to fuss over
her, and both of us had a right to rest!" answered Ben, rousing up as
bright as a button; for he longed to tell his thrilling tale, and had
with difficulty been restrained from bursting in on Thorny as soon as
he arrived.

He made short work of the story, but was quite satisfied with the
sensation it produced; for his listener was startled, relieved,
excited and charmed, in such rapid succession, that he was obliged to
sit upon the meal chest and get his breath before he could exclaim,