She would like it , and Thorny 's saddle will be here next week , '' said Miss Celia , pleased to see that the boy appreciated the fine pictures , and felt such hearty sympathy with the noble animals whom she dearly loved herself . `` Need n't wait for that . I 'd rather ride bareback . Oh , I say , is this the book you told about , where the horses talked ? '' asked Ben , suddenly recollecting the speech he had puzzled over ever since he heard it . `` No ; I brought the book , but in the hurry of my tea-party forgot to unpack it . I 'll hunt it up to-night . Remind me , Thorny . '' `` There , now , I 've forgotten something , too ! Squire sent you a letter ; and I 'm having such a jolly time , I never 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 , for there were two ; and as she read her face grew so sober , then so sad , that if any one had been looking he would have wondered what bad news had chased away the sunshine so suddenly . No one did look ; no one saw how pitifully her eyes rested on Ben 's happy face when the letters were put away , and no one minded the new gentleness in her manner as she came back , to the table . But Ben thought there never was so sweet a lady as the one who leaned over him to show him how the dissected map went together and never smiled at his mistakes . So kind , so very kind was she to them all , that when , after an hour of merry play , she took her brother in to bed , the three who remained fell to praising her enthusiastically as they put things to rights before taking leave . `` She 's like the good fairies in the books , and has all sorts of nice , pretty things in her house , '' said Betty , enjoying a last hug of the fascinating doll whose lids would shut so that it was a pleasure to Sing , `` Bye , sweet baby , bye , '' with no staring eyes to Spoil the illusion . `` What heaps she knows ! More than Teacher , I do believe ; and she does n't mind how many questions we ask . I like folks that will tell me things , '' added Bab , whose inquisitive mind was always hungry . `` I like that boy first-rate , and I guess he likes me , though I did n't know where Nantucket ought to go .
He wants me to teach him to ride when he 's on his pins again , and XXXXX Celia says I may .
Miss fairies haste lids pictures play pleasure porch questions table