Look here ; pull out these bits and see if they wo n't make up my lost bills . '' Down went the motherless babies as four ruthless hands pulled apart their cosey nest , and there , among the nibbled fragments , appeared enough finely printed , greenish paper , to piece out parts of two bank bills . A large cypher and part of a figure one were visible , and that accounted for the ten ; but though there were other bits , no figures could be found , and they were willing to take the other bill on trust . `` Now , then , am I a thief and a liar ? '' demanded Ben , pointing proudly to the tell-tale letters spread forth on the table , over which all three had been eagerly bending . `` No ; I beg your pardon , and I 'm very sorry that we did n't look more carefully before we spoke , then we all should have been spared this pain . '' `` All right , old fellow , forgive and forget . I 'll never think hard of you again , -- on my honor I wo n't . '' As they spoke , Miss Celia and her brother held out their hands frankly and heartily . Ben shook both , but with a difference ; for he pressed the soft one gratefully , remembering that its owner had always been good to him ; but the brown paw he gripped with a vengeful squeeze that made Thorny pull it away in a hurry , exclaiming , good-naturedly , in spite of both physical and mental discomfort , -- `` Come , Ben , do n't you bear malice ; for you 've got the laugh on your side , and we feel pretty small . I do , any way ; for , after my fidgets , all I 've caught is a mouse ! '' `` And her family . I 'm so relieved I 'm almost sorry the poor little mother is dead -- she and her babies were so happy in the old pen-wiper , '' said Miss Celia , hastening to speak merrily , for Ben still looked indignant , and she was much grieved at what had happened . `` A pretty expensive house , '' began Thorny , looking about for the interesting orphans , who had been left on the floor while their paper-hangings were examined . No further anxiety need be felt for them , however ; Kitty had come upon the scene , and as judge , jury , and prisoner , turned to find the little witnesses , they beheld the last pink mite going down Pussy 's throat in one mouthful . `` I call that summary justice , -- the whole family executed on the spot ! Give Kit the mouse also , and let us go to breakfast . I feel as if I had found my appetite , now this worry is off my mind , '' said Miss Celia , laughing so infectiously that Ben had to join in spite of himself , as she took his arm and led him away with a look which mutely asked his pardon over again . `` Rather lively for a funeral procession , '' said Thorny , following with the trap in his hand and Puss at his heels , adding , to comfort his pride as a detective : `` Well , I said I 'd catch the thief , and I have , though it is rather a small one ! '' CHAPTER XVII BETTY 'S BRAVERY `` Celia , I 've a notion that we ought to give Ben something .
A sort of peace-offering , you know ; for he feels dreadfully hurt about our suspecting him , '' XXXXX Thorny , at dinner that day .
'm Give bending call come laughing looking said shook think