With a laugh and a kiss , Thorny shambled off to ascend his chariot , good-humoredly saluting his pusher , whom he found sitting on the high rail behind , with his feet on Sanch . `` Drive on , Benjamin . I do n't know the way , so I ca n't direct . Do n't spill me out , -- that 's all I 've got to say . '' `` All right , sir , '' -- and away Ben trundled down the long walk that led through the orchard to a little grove of seven pines . A pleasant spot ; for a soft rustle filled the air , a brown carpet of pine needles , with fallen cones for a pattern , lay under foot ; and over the tops of the tall brakes that fringed the knoll one had glimpses of hill and valley , farm-houses and winding river , like a silver ribbon through the low , green meadows . `` A regular summer house ! '' said Thorny , surveying it with approval . `` What 's the matter , Randa ? Wo n't it do ? '' he asked , as the stout maid dropped her arms with a puff , after vainly trying to throw the hammock rope over a branch . `` That end went up beautiful , but this one wo n't ; the branches is so high , I ca n't reach 'em ; and I 'm no hand at flinging ropes round . '' `` I 'll fix it ; '' and Ben went up the pine like a squirrel , tied a stout knot , and swung himself down again before Thorny could get out of the chair . `` My patience , what a spry boy ! '' exclaimed Randa , admiringly . `` That 's nothing ; you ought to see me shin up a smooth tent-pole , '' said Ben , rubbing the pitch off his hands , with a boastful wag of the head . `` You can go , Randa . Just hand me my cushion and books , Ben ; then you can sit in the chair while I talk to you , '' commanded Thorny , tumbling into the hammock . `` What 's he goin ' to say to me ? '' wondered Ben to himself , as he sat down with Sanch sprawling among the wheels .
`` Now , Ben , I think you 'd better learn a hymn ; I always used to when I was a little chap , and it is a good thing to do Sundays , '' began the new teacher , with a patronizing XXXXX , which ruffled his pupil as much as the opprobrious term `` little chap . ''
air books boy feet laugh orchard patience pines rustle sir