`` No , miss , I do n't see -- '' he began , much mortified to think he had forgotten any thing . `` Would n't a little groom up behind improve the appearance of my turnout ? '' she said , with a look which left no doubt in his mind that he was to be the happy boy to occupy that proud perch . He grew red with pleasure , but stammered , as he hesitated , looking down at his bare feet and blue shirt , -- `` I ai n't fit , miss ; and I have n't got any other clothes . '' Miss Celia only smiled again more kindly than before , and answered , in a tone which he understood better than her words , -- `` A great man said his coat-of-arms was a pair of shirt-sleeves , and a sweet poet sang about a barefooted boy ; so I need not be too proud to ride with one . Up with you , Ben , my man , and let us be off , or we shall be late for our party . '' With one bound the new groom was in his place , sitting very erect , with his legs stiff , arms folded , and nose in the air , as he had seen real grooms sit behind their masters in fine dog-carts or carriages . Mrs. Moss nodded as they drove past the lodge , and Ben touched his torn hat-brim in the most dignified manner , though he could not suppress a broad grin of delight , which deepened into a chuckle when Lita went off at a brisk trot along the smooth road toward town . It takes so little to make a child happy , it is a pity grown people do not oftener remember it and scatter little bits of pleasure before the small people , as they throw crumbs to the hungry sparrows . Miss Celia knew the boy was pleased , but he had no words in which to express his gratitude for the great contentment she had given him . He could only beam at all he met , smile when the floating ends of the gray veil blew against his face , and long in his heart to give the new friend a boyish hug , as he used to do his dear ` Melia when she was very good to him . School was just out as they passed ; and it was a spectacle , I assure you , to see the boys and girls stare at Ben up aloft in such state ; also to see the superb indifference with which that young man regarded the vulgar herd who went afoot . He could n't resist an affable nod to Bab and Betty , for they stood under the maple-tree , and the memory of their circulating library made him forget his dignity in his gratitude . `` We will take them next time , but now I want to talk to you , '' began Miss Celia , as Lita climbed the hill . `` My brother has been ill , and I have brought him here to get well . I want to do all sorts of things to amuse him , and I think you can help me in many ways . Would you like to work for me instead of the Squire ? `` I guess I would ! '' ejaculated Ben , so heartily that no further assurances were needed , and Miss Celia went on , well pleased : -- `` You see , poor Thorny is weak and fretful , and does not like to exert himself , though he ought to be out a great deal , and kept from thinking of his little troubles . He can not walk much yet , so I have a wheeled chair to push him in ; and the paths are so hard , it will be easy to roll him about .
That will be one XXXXX you can do .
Mrs. School boy clothes doubt hill legs perch thing tone