to do all sorts of things to
amuse him, and I think you can help me in many ways. Would you like to
work for me instead of the Squire?"

"I guess I would!" ejaculated Ben, so heartily that no further
assurances were needed, and Miss Celia went on, well pleased:

"You see, poor Thorny is weak and fretful, and does not like to exert
himself, though he ought to be out a great deal, and kept from thinking
of his little troubles. He cannot walk much yet, so I have a wheeled
chair to push him in, and the paths are so hard it will be easy to roll
him around. That will be one thing you can do. Another is to take care
of his pets till he is able to do it himself. Then you can tell him
your adventures, and talk to him as only a boy can talk to a boy. That
will amuse him when I want to write or go out; but I never leave him
long, and hope he will soon be running about as well as the rest of us.
How does that sort of work look to you?"

"First-rate! I'll take real good care of the little fellow, and do
everything I know to please him, and so will Sanch. He's fond of
children," answered Ben, heartily, for the new place looked very
inviting to him.

Miss Celia laughed, and rather damped his ardor by her next words:

"I don't know what Thorny _would_ say to hear you call him 'little.' He
is fourteen, and appears to get taller and taller every day. He seems
like a child to _me_, because I am nearly ten years older than he is;
but you needn't be afraid of his long legs and big eyes,--he is too
feeble to do any harm,--only you mustn't mind if he orders you about."

"I'm used to that. I don't mind it if he wont call me a 'spalpeen,' and
fire things at me," said Ben, thinking of his late trials with Pat.

"I can promise that, and I am sure Thorny will like you, for I told him
your story, and he is anxious to see 'the circus boy,' as he called
you. Squire Allen says I may trust you, and I am glad to do so, for it
saves me much trouble to find what I want all ready for me. You shall
be well fed and clothed, kindly treated and honestly paid, if you like
to stay with me."

"I _know_ I shall like it--till father comes, anyway. Squire wrote to
Smithers right off, but hasn't got any answer yet. I know they are on
the go now, so may be we wont hear for ever so long," answered Ben,
feeling less impatient to be off than before this fine proposal was
made to him.

"I dare say; meantime we will see how we get on together, and perhaps
your