"How do you do this morning, Miss Brayton?" said another.
"What a becoming dress!" commented another, with much admiration.
Ben tried to give chase to his tormentors, but, as might have been expected, not being accustomed to his attire, tripped, and fell headlong.
Then a shout, long and loud, went up from the boys.
Ben could not stand it. He gathered up his skirts, and ran towards home with all the expedition he was capable of. The old doctor met him, and gazed in wonder at the flying figure, not recognizing Ben in his new costume. He began to speculate whether it might not be an insane person, who had broken from his or her confinement.
Panting for breath, Ben at length brought up at his own door. It was locked, Mrs. Oakley having followed the old adage of "shutting the stable-door after the horse is stolen." Ben rang a tremendous peal at the door-bell, which was quickly answered by Hannah.
When she saw the strange figure before her, she uttered a loud shriek, and fled with precipitation.
Mrs. Oakley heard the bell and Hannah's shriek, and came hastily to the head of the stairs.
"What does this ridiculous masquerading mean?" she demanded, sternly.