"They ought to stop for him, some of 'em," muttered Ben,hastily turning back to the cheerful picture of the threehappy horses in the field, standing knee-deep among thegrass as they prepare to drink at the wide stream.

 

　　"Ain't that black one a beauty? Seems as if I couldsee his mane blow in the wind, and hear him whinnyto that small feller trotting down to see if he can'tget over and be sociable. How I'd like to take arousin' run round that meadow on the whole lot of'em!" and Ben swayed about in his chair as if he wasalready doing it in imagination.

 

　　"You may take a turn round my field on Lita anyday. She would like it, and Thorny's saddle will behere next week," said Miss Celia, pleased to see thatthe boy appreciated the fine pictures, and felt suchhearty sympathy with the noble animals whom shedearly loved herself.

 

　　"Needn't wait for that. I'd rather ride bareback.

 

　　Oh, I say, is this the book you told about, wherethe horses talked?" asked Ben, suddenly recollectingthe speech he had puzzled over ever since he heard it.

 

　　"No; I brought the book, but in the hurry of mytea-party forgot to unpack it. I'll hunt it up to-night. Remind me, Thorny.""There, now, I've forgotten something, too! Squiresent you a letter; and I'm having such a jolly time, Inever thought of it."Ben rummaged out the note with remorseful haste,protesting that he was in no hurry for Mr. Gulliver,and very glad to save him for another day.

 

　　Leaving the young folks busy with their games,Miss Celia sat in the porch to read her letters, forthere were two; and as she read her face grew sosober, then so sad, that if any one had been lookinghe would have wondered what bad news had chasedaway the sunshine so suddenly. No one did look;no one saw how pitifully her eyes rested on Ben'shappy face when the letters were put away, and noone minded the new gentleness in her manner as shecame back, to the table. But Ben thought there neverwas so sweet a lady as the one who leaned over himto show him how the dissected map went togetherand never smiled at his mistakes.

 

　　So kind, so very kind was she to them all, thatwhen, after an hour of merry play, she took herbrother in to bed, the three who remained fell topraising her enthusiastically as they put things torights before taking leave.

 

　　"She's like the good fairies in the books, and hasall sorts of nice, pretty things in her house," saidBetty, enjoying a last hug of the fascinating dollwhose lids would shut so that it was a pleasure toSing, "Bye, sweet baby, bye," with no staring eyes toSpoil the illusion.

 

　　"What heaps she knows! More than Teacher, I dobelieve; and she doesn't mind how many questionswe ask. I like folks that will tell me things," addedBab, whose inquisitive mind was always hungry.

 

　　"I like that boy first-rate, and I guess he likes me,though I didn't know where Nantucket ought to go.

 

　　He wants me to teach him to ride when he's on hispins again, and Miss Celia says I may. She knowshow to make folks feel good, don't she?" and Bengratefully surveyed the Arab chief, now his own,though the best of all the collection.

 

　　"Won't we have splendid times? She Says wemay come over every night and play with her andThorny.""And she's goin', to have the seats in the porchlift up, so we can put our things in there all day andhave 'em handy.""And I'm going to be her boy, and stay here allthe time. I guess the letter I brought was arecommend from the Squire.""Yes, Ben; and if I had not already made up mymind to keep you before, I certainly would now, myboy."Something in Miss Celia's voice, as she said the lasttwo words with her hand on Ben's shoulder, made himlook up quickly and turn red with pleasure, wonderingwhat the Squire had written about him.

 

　　"Mother must have some of the party; so youshall take her these, Bab, and Betty may carry Babyhome for the night. She is so nicely asleep, it is apity to wake her. Good by till to-morrow, littleneighbors," continued Miss Celia, and dismissed thegirls with a kiss.

 

　　"Is Ben coming, too?" asked Bab, as Bettytrotted off in a silent rapture with the big darlingbobbing over her shoulder.

 

　　"Not yet; I've several things to settle with mynew man. Tell mother he will come by-and-by."Off rushed Bab with the plateful of goodies; and,drawing Ben down beside her on the wide step, MissCelia took out the letters, with a shadow creepingover her face as softly as the twilight was stealingover the world, while the dew fell, and every thinggrew still and dim.

 

　　"Ben, dear, I've something to tell you," she began,slowly; and the boy waited with a happy face, for noone had called him so since 'Melia died.

 

　　"The Squire has heard about your father, and thisis the letter Mr. Smithers sends.&quo............