"My Ben's a comfort," she said every day, With pride that made his head whirl, "As handy at sweeping as he is at reaping— Ben is just as good as a girl!"
"A six-foot fellow to work round the house! We'll call him 'Miss Ben,'" said the girls; But Ben, heaven bless him, never let this distress him Till there came a day when the curls
And blue eyes of Gladys, the prettiest girl, And the proudest in all the place, His young heart set beating at every chance meeting— Though she only laughed in his face.
"I'll have none but a gay and a gallant man"— Her lips took a scornful curl— "Your pride is in hearing your mother declaring, 'Ben is just as good as a girl!'"
But sweet little Marjory laughed not at Ben; He was homely, awkward, shy, But she liked the fellow whose voice was so mellow, And she smiled as she passed him by.
He went to the front when the war broke out, And filled his post like a man; The good-natured giant was bold and defiant As soon as the battle began.
You'd never have thought of the broom and the churn, Nor of the nickname "Miss Ben," Had you heard his voice cheering, seen his arm clearing A path for his own gallant men.
Capt. Benjamin Brooks he came riding home When the war was over and done, As homely and backward, as shy and as awkward, As tender and loyal a son.
Now Gladys gave him her sunniest smile— On heroes she ever did dote— And the proud little beauty felt it her duty To be kind to this young man of note.
But Ben, wise fellow, liked Marjory best; He knew her lips did not curl When mother said sweetly, "Ben does work so neatly— He is just as good as a girl!"