He 'd gnawed it and come after me , and would n't go back or be lost ; and I 'll never leave him again , will I , dear old feller ? '' Sancho had listened to this portion of the tale with intense interest , and when Ben spoke to him he stood straight up , put both paws on the boy 's shoulders , licked his face with a world of dumb affection in his yellow eyes , and gave a little whine which said as plainly as words , -- `` Cheer up , little master ; fathers may vanish and friends die , but I never will desert you . '' Ben hugged him close and smiled over his curly , white head at the little girls , who clapped their hands at the pleasing tableau , and then went to pat and fondle the good creature , assuring him that they entirely forgave the theft of the cake and the new dinner-pail . Inspired by these endearments and certain private signals given by Ben , Sancho suddenly burst away to perform all his best antics with unusual grace and dexterity . Bab and Betty danced about the room with rapture , while Mrs. Moss declared she was almost afraid to have such a wonderfully intelligent animal in the house . Praises of his dog pleased Ben more than praises of himself , and when the confusion had subsided he entertained his audience with a lively account of Sancho 's cleverness , fidelity , and the various adventures in which he had nobly borne his part . While he talked , Mrs. Moss was making up her mind about him , and when he came to an end of his dog 's perfections , she said , gravely , -- `` If I can find something for you to do , would you like to stay here awhile ? '' `` Oh , yes , ma'am , I 'd be glad to ! '' answered Ben , eagerly ; for the place seemed home-like already , and the good woman almost as motherly as the departed Mrs. Smithers . `` Well , I 'll step over to the Squire 's to-morrow to see what he says . Should n't wonder if he 'd take you for a chore-boy , if you are as smart as you say . He always has one in the summer , and I have n't seen any round yet . Can you drive cows ? '' `` Hope so ; '' and Ben gave a shrug , as if it was a very unnecessary question to put to a person who had driven four calico ponies in a gilded chariot . `` It may n't be as lively as riding elephants and playing with bears , but it is respectable ; and I guess you 'll be happier switching Brindle and Buttercup than being switched yourself , '' said Mrs. Moss , shaking her head at him with a smile . `` I guess I will , ma'am , '' answered Ben , with sudden meekness , remembering the trials from which he had escaped . Very soon after this , he was sent off for a good night 's sleep in the back bedroom , with Sancho to watch over him . But both found it difficult to slumber till the racket overhead subsided ; for Bab insisted on playing she was a bear and devouring poor Betty , in spite of her wails , till their mother came up and put an end to it by threatening to send Ben and his dog away in the morning , if the girls `` did n't behave and be as still as mice . '' This they solemnly promised ; and they were soon dreaming of gilded cars and mouldy coaches , runaway boys and dinner-pails , dancing dogs and twirling teacups . CHAPTER V BEN GETS A PLACE When Ben awoke next morning , he looked about him for a moment half bewildered , because there was neither a canvas tent , a barn roof , nor the blue sky above him , but a neat white ceiling , where several flies buzzed sociably together , while from without came , not the tramping of horses , the twitter of swallows , or the chirp of early birds , but the comfortable cackle of hens and the sound of two little voices chanting the multiplication table .
Sancho sat at the open window , watching the old cat wash her XXXXX , and trying to imitate her with his great ruffled paw , so awkwardly that Ben laughed ; and Sanch , to hide his confusion at being caught , made one bound from chair to bed , and licked his master 's face so energetically that the boy dived under the bedclothes to escape from the rough tongue .
Hope bears boys cleverness coaches face friends something switching tale