I declare it fairly takes my breath away!" Before Bab could obey, or her mother compose herself, Sancho bounced in and spun round like an insane top, trying to stand on his head, walk upright, waltz and bark all at once, for the good old fellow had so lost his head that he forgot the loss of his tail.
"They are coming! they are coming! See, Ma, what a nice man he is," said Bab, hopping about on one foot as she watched the slowly approaching pair.
"My patience, don't they look alike! I should know he was Ben's Pa anywhere!" said Mrs.Moss, running to the door in a hurry.
They certainly did resemble one another, and it was almost comical to see the same curve in the legs, the same wide-awake style of wearing the hat, the same sparkle of the eye, good-natured smile and agile motion of every limb.

Old Ben carried the bag in one hand while young Ben held the other fast, looking a little shame-faced at his own emotion now, for there were marks of tears on his cheeks, but too glad to repress the delight he felt that he had really found Daddy this side heaven.
Mrs.Moss unconsciously made a pretty little picture of herself as she stood at the door with her honest face shining and both hands ont, saying in a hearty tone, which was a welcome in itself, "I'm real glad to see you safe and well, Mr.Brown! Come right in and make yourself to home.

I guess there isn't a happier boy living than Ben is to-night." "And I know there isn't a gratefuler man living than I am for your kindness to my poor forsaken little feller," answered Mr.Brown, dropping both his burdens to give the comely woman's hands a hard shake.
"Now don't say a word about it, but sit down and rest, and we'll have tea in less'n no time.

Ben must be tired and hungry, though he's so happy I don't believe he knows it," laughed Mrs.Moss, bustling away to hide the tears in her eyes, anxious to make things sociable and easy all round.
With this end in view she set forth her best china, and covered the table with food enough for a dozen, thanking her stars that it was baking day, and every thing had turned out well.

Ben and his father sat talking by the window till they were bidden to "draw up and help themselves" with such hospitable warmth that every thing had an extra relish to the hungry pair.
Ben paused occasionally to stroke the rusty coat-sleeve with bread-and-buttery fingers to convince himself that "Daddy" had really come, and his father disposed of various inconvenient emotions by eating as if food was unknown in California.