"And Ben said he ought to be in it pigpen."
"So he had!—such a greedy thing, bringing lovely big apples, and not giving any one a single bite!"
"Then he was mad, and we all laughed; and he said, 'Want to fight?'
"And Ben said, 'No, thanky, not much fun in pounding a feather-bed.'"
"Oh, he was awfully mad then, and chased Ben up the big maple."
"He's there now, for Sam won't let him come down till he takes it all back."
"Ben won't; and I do believe he'll have to stay up all night," said Betty, distressfully.
"He won't care, and we'll have fun firing up his supper. Nut cakes and cheese will go splendidly; and may be baked pears wouldn't get smashed, he's such a good catch," added Bab, decidedly relishing the prospect.
"If he does not come by tea-time, we will go and look after him. It seems to me I have heard something about Sam's troubling him before, haven't I?" asked Miss Celia, ready to defend her protege against all unfair persecution.
"Yes,'m, Sam and Mose are always plaguing Ben. They are big boys, and we can't make them stop. I won't let the girls do it, and the little boys don't dare to, since Teacher spoke to them." answered Bab.