Then a load of furniture came creaking in at thelodge gate, and the girls had raptures over a cottagepiano, several small chairs, and a little low table, whichthey pronounced just the thing for them to play at.

 

　　The live stock appeared next, creating a great stirin the neighborhood, for peacocks were rare birdsthere; the donkey's bray startled the cattle and convulsedthe people with laughter; the rabbits werecontinually getting out to burrow in the newly madegarden; and Chevalita scandalized old Duke bydancing about the stable which he had inhabited foryears in stately solitude.

 

　　Last but by no means least, Miss Celia, her houngbrother, and two maids arrived one evening so latethat only Mrs. Moss went over to help them settle.

 

　　The children were much disappointed, but were appeasedby a promise that they should all go to paytheir respects in the morning.

 

　　They were up so early, and were so impatient to beoff, that Mrs. Moss let them go with the warning thatthey would find only the servants astir. She was mistaken,however, for, as the procession approached, avoice from the porch called out, "Good-morninglittle neighbors!" so unexpectedly, that Bab nearlyspilt the new milk she carried, Betty gave such a startthat the fresh-laid eggs quite skipped in the dish, andBen's face broke into a broad grin over the armful ofclover which he brought for the bunnies, as he bobbedhis head, saying briskly, --"She's all right, miss, Lita is; and I can bring herover any minute you say.""I shall want her at four o'clock. Thorny willbe too tired to drive, but I must hear from thepost-office, rain or shine;" and Miss Celia's prettycolor brightened as she spoke, either from somehappy thought or because she was bashful, for thehonest young faces before her plainly showed theiradmiration of the white-gowned lady under thehoneysuckles.

 

　　The appearance of Miranda, the maid, reminded thechildren of their errand; and having delivered theirofferings, they were about to retire in some confusion,when Miss Celia said pleasantly, --"I want to thank you for helping put things in suchnice order. I see signs of busy hands and feet bothinside the house and all about the grounds, and Iam very much obliged.""I raked the beds," said Ben, proudly eying theneat ovals and circles.

 

　　"I swept all the paths," added Bab, with a reproachfulglance at several green sprigs fallen fromthe load of clover on the smooth walk.

 

　　"I cleared up the porch," and Betty's clean pinaforerose and fell with a long sigh, as she surveyed the latesummer residence of her exiled family.

 

　　Miss Celia guessed the meaning of that sigh, andmade haste to turn it into a smile by asking anxiously, --"What has become of the playthings? I don't seethem anywhere.""Ma said you wouldn't want our duds round,so we took them all home," answered Betty, with awistful face.

 

　　"But I do want them round. I like dolls and toysalmost as much as ever, and quite miss the little 'duds'

 

　　from porch and path. Suppose you come to tea withme to-night and bring some of them back? I shouldbe very sorry to rob you of your pleasant play-place.""Oh, yes, 'm, we'd love to come! and we'll bringour best things.""Ma always lets us have our shiny pitchers and thechina poodle when we go visiting or have company athome," said Bab and Betty, both speaking at once.

 

　　"Bring what you like, and I'll hunt up my toys,too. Ben is to come also, and his poodle is especiallyinvited," added Miss Celia, as Sancho came andbegged before her, feeling that some agreeable projectwas under discussion.

 

　　"Thank you, miss. I told them you'd be willingthey should come sometimes. They like this placeever so much, and so do I," said Ben, feeling thatfew spots combined so many advantages in the way ofclimbable trees, arched gates, half-a-dozen gables, andother charms suited to the taste of an aspiring youthwho had been a flying Cupid at the age of seven.

 

　　"So do I," echoed Miss Celia, heartily. "Ten yearsago I came here a little girl, and made lilac chainsunder these very bushes, and picked chickweed overthere for my bird, and rode Thorny in his baby-wagonup and down these paths. Grandpa lived here then,and we had fine times; but now they are all goneexcept us two.""We haven't got any father, either," said Bab, forsomething in Miss Celia's face made her feel as if acloud had come over the sun.

 

　　"I have a first-rate father, if I only knew wherehe'd gone to," said Ben, looking down the path aseagerly as if one waited for him behind the locked gate.

 

　　"You are a rich boy, and you are happy little girlsto have so good a mother; I've found that out already,"and the sun shone again as the young ladynodded to the neat, rosy children before her.

 

　　"You may have a piece of her if you want to, 'causeyou haven't got any of your own," said Betty with apitiful look which made her blue eyes as sweet as twowet violets.

 

　　"So I will ! and you shall be my little sisters. Inever had any, and I'd love to try how it seems;"and Celia took both the chubby hands in hers,feeling ready to love every one this first bright morningin the new home, which she hoped to make a veryhappy one.

 

　　Bab gave a satisfied nod, and fell to examining therings upon the white hand that held her own. ButBetty put her arms about the new friend's neck, andkissed her so softly that the hungry feeling in MissCelia's heart felt better directly; for this was the foodit wanted, and Thorny had not learned yet to returnone half of the affection he received. Holding thechild close, she played with the yellow braids whileshe told them about the little German girls in theirfunny black-silk caps, short-waisted gowns, and woodenshoes, whom she used to see watering long webs oflinen bleaching on the grass, watching great flocks ofgeese, or driving pigs to market, knitting or spinningas they went.

 

　　Presently "Randa," as she called her stout maid,came to tell her that "Master Thorny couldn't waitanother minute;" and she went in to breakfast witha good appetite, while the children raced home tobounce in upon Mrs. Moss, talking all at once likelittle lunatics.

 

　　"The phaeton at four, -- so sweet in a beautifulwhite gown, -- going to tea, and Sancho and all thebaby things invited. Can't we wear our Sundayfrocks? A splendid new net for Lita. And she likesdolls. Goody, goody, won't it be fun!"With much difficulty their mother got a clear accountof the approaching festivity out of the eagermouths, and with still more diffculty, got breakfastinto them, for the children had few pleasures, and thisbrilliant prospect ra............