Ben and Me: Chapters 10–12

"At once,” said the General, rising and looking very noble. “The armed sloop Reprisal is ready to sail. With you, Dr. Franklin, will go the hopes and prayers of a new Nation, the ideals, the aspirations—”

Some of the ladies went so far as to copy the untidy way in which he wore his hair, while others wore fur caps made in imitation of Ben’s. One of them even tried to borrow my home for her milliner to copy.

We were surrounded by diplomats, politicians and spies, all of whom were trying to find out what Ben was doing in France and, if possible, to prevent him from accomplishing it.

Of course, with the information I supplied, Ben was able to thwart every plot against us, thereby gaining the reputation of being a brilliant diplomat.

“Ben,” I said, finally, “I’ve just been thinking of one of your maxims: HE THAT GOES A-BORROWING GOES A-SORROWING. Now here you’ve come on one of the biggest borrowing expeditions of the age, but where’s the Sorrowing? You’ve borrowed millions from the King of France and you’re still the most carefree old rapscallion I’ve ever seen. Every evening it’s dinner with Madame this or the Countess that.”

An aristocrat and a lady, if I ever saw one....A lady in distress, as I soon learned....She lived in Madame Brillon’s towering headdress, which made a really dainty home, very different from my rough frontier-cabin type of residence.

Having spent most of my life in the company of rather lowly church and tavern mice, I found her brilliant mind and delightful manners a revelation.

Well had she need of an agile mind and a strong right arm, for she had been a victim of the most villainous intrigues and persecution by the white mice of the Court.

Well had she need of an agile mind and a strong right arm, for she had been a victim of the most villainous intrigues and persecution by the white mice of the Court.

Her poor husband was now in Philadelphia struggling valiantly to make a home in the New World for his family, should they ever be reunited.

As adviser and confidante she was of the greatest value to her patroness and since Madame Brillon often attended the Court, Sophia was able occasionally to secure news of her children’s welfare.

Not only was I touched by her beauty and helplessness, but all my Republican sympathies cried out against these wicked injustices by the pampered aristocrats of a dissolute Court.

Not only was I touched by her beauty and helplessness, but all my Republican sympathies cried out against these wicked injustices by the pampered aristocrats of a dissolute Court.

“Madame,” I cried, “do not despair! Though of humble birth I have played no small part in the affairs of men and Nations. What a mouse can do, I will! I, Amos, solemnly swear never to rest until your wrongs are righted and you are happily joined with your children and husband in our beautiful city of Philadelphia, U.S.A.”

“Oh, Monsieur Amos,” she said softly, “could you but accomplish this, what happiness would you bring to a bereft family.”

We celebrated that night, Ben and me, over cheese and ale, so thoroughly that, to tell the truth, I was rather indisposed the next day and Ben had an attack of gout that lasted a week.

Our long residence among the French, whose foreign ways I always did detest, and the separation from my family, had proved very trying.

He fluttered about from one tailor to another as excitedly as a young belle preparing her trousseau.

He fluttered about from one tailor to another as excitedly as a young belle preparing her trousseau.

They were a rather stupid, timid lot, but being downtrodden and half-starved they naturally hated the aristocrats of Versailles.

The Russian mice were wild, uncouth fellows, but terrible fighters and always ready for an affray.

The Russian mice were wild, uncouth fellows, but terrible fighters and always ready for an affray.

The Swedes were next. Stalwart, steady, powerful warriors, I counted on them greatly and was overjoyed when, after soberly considering my speech, they promised their assistance.

The Swedes were next. Stalwart, steady, powerful warriors, I counted on them greatly and was overjoyed when, after soberly considering my speech, they promised their assistance.

I also managed to enlist the services of a few Italian and Spanish mice, but knowing their erratic temperaments, did not count on them greatly.

I also managed to enlist the services of a few Italian and Spanish mice, but knowing their erratic temperaments, did not count on them greatly.

He cheered up then and resumed his foppish preparations, leaving me free to continue my own arrangements.

“Our forces, Amos,” he said, “are weak for such an undertaking. The White Mice of Versailles are known to number many hundreds, perhaps thousands. Pampered fops though they are, there are many skilled swordsmen among them. Your Russians and Swedes are good, but few in number. The peasant mice of Passy are uncertain, prone to panic. What would I not give for a handful of good, true-blue Yankees!”

“Splendid! I, also, have had a thought. The downtrodden Slum Mice and Sewer Rats of Paris are ripe for Revolution! Starved and oppressed, they have long chafed under the tyranny of these mincing Patricians. All that they lack is a leader. I will be that leader. LIBERTY FOREVER!”

“Splendid! I, also, have had a thought. The downtrodden Slum Mice and Sewer Rats of Paris are ripe for Revolution! Starved and oppressed, they have long chafed under the tyranny of these mincing Patricians. All that they lack is a leader. I will be that leader. LIBERTY FOREVER!”

“Splendid! I, also, have had a thought. The downtrodden Slum Mice and Sewer Rats of Paris are ripe for Revolution! Starved and oppressed, they have long chafed under the tyranny of these mincing Patricians. All that they lack is a leader. I will be that leader. LIBERTY FOREVER!”

His red fur bristling with energy, he dashed off into the night, while I busied myself with the message to the ship-rats of John Paul Jones.

Ben came in before I had finished and began to preen himself before the mirror.

“Don’t bother me,” I snapped testily, “I have no time for mincing popinjays, I’m busy.”

“Don’t bother me,” I snapped testily, “I have no time for mincing popinjays, I’m busy.”