Just strolling round till he gets back , '' with an impatient sort of sigh . `` Betty thought you was a tramp , but I was n't afraid . I like tramps ever since Ben came , '' explained Bab , with her usual candor . `` Who 's Ben ! '' and the man came nearer so quickly that Betty nearly fell backward . `` Do n't you be scared , Sissy . I like little girls , so you set easy and tell me about Ben , '' he added , in a persuasive tone , as he leaned on the gate so near that both could see what a friendly face he had in spite of its eager , anxious look . `` Ben is Miss Celia 's boy . We found him most starved in the coach-house , and he 's been here ever since , '' answered Bab , comprehensively . `` Tell me about it . I like tramps , too , '' and the man looked as if he did very much , as Bab told the little story in a few childish words that were better than a much more elegant account . `` You were very good to the little feller , '' was all the man said when she ended her somewhat confused tale , in which she had jumbled the old coach and Miss Celia , dinner-pails and nutting , Sancho and circuses . '' ` Course we were ! He 's a nice boy and we are fond of him , and he likes us , '' said Bab , heartily . '' ` Specially me , '' put in Betty , quite at ease now , for the black eyes had softened wonderfully , and the brown face was smiling all over . `` Do n't wonder a mite . You are the nicest pair of little girls I 've seen this long time , '' and the man put a hand on either side of them , as if he wanted to hug the chubby children . But he did n't do it ; he merely smiled and stood there asking questions till the two chatterboxes had told him every thing there was to tell in the most confiding manner , for he very soon ceased to seem like a stranger , and looked so familiar that Bab , growing inquisitive in her turn , suddenly said , -- `` Have n't you ever been here before ? It seems as if I 'd seen you . '' `` Never in my life .
Guess you 've seen somebody that looks like me , '' and the black eyes twinkled for a minute as they looked into the puzzled little faces before him , then he said , soberly , -- `` I 'm looking round for a likely XXXXX ; do n't you think this Ben would suite me ?
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