In the afternoon the lady was gone , the old house all open , and their mother sweeping , airing , in great spirits . So they had a splendid frolic tumbling on feather-beds , beating bits of carpet , opening closets , and racing from garret to cellar like a pair of distracted kittens . Here Ben found them , and was at once overwhelmed with a burst of news which excited him as much as it did them . Miss Celia owned the house , was coming to liver there , and things were to be made ready as soon as possible . All thought the prospect a charming one : Mrs. Moss , because life had been dull for her during the year she had taken charge of the old house ; the little girls had heard rumors of various pets who were coming ; and Ben , learning that a boy and a donkey were among them , resolved that nothing but the arrival of his father should tear him from this now deeply interesting spot . `` I 'm in such a hurry to see the peacocks and hear them scream . She said they did , and that we 'd laugh when old Jack brayed , '' cried Bab , hopping about on one foot to work off her impatience . `` Is a faytun a kind of a bird ? I heard her say she could keep it in the coach-house , '' asked Betty , inquiringly . `` It 's a little carriage , '' and Ben rolled in the grass , much tickled at poor Betty 's ignorance . `` Of course it is . I looked it out in the dic. , and you must n't call it a payton , though it is spelt with a p , '' added Bab , who liked to lay down the law on all occasions , and did not mention that she had looked vainly among the Vs till a school-mate set her right . `` You ca n't tell me much about carriages . But what I want to know is where Lita will stay ? '' said Ben . `` Oh , she 's to be up at the Squire 's till things are fixed , and you are to bring her down . Squire came and told Ma all about it , and said you were a boy to be trusted , for he had tried you . '' Ben made no answer , but secretly thanked his stars that he had not proved himself untrustworthy by running away , and so missing all this fun . `` Wo n't it be fine to have the house open all the time ? We can run over and see the pictures and books whenever we like .
I know we can , Miss Celia is so kind , '' began Betty , who cared for these XXXXX more than for screaming peacocks and comical donkeys .
Mrs. answer bird foot impatience laugh law spirits things year