`` Here are the peacocks coming to be fed , '' interrupted Bab , as the handsome birds appeared with their splendid plumage glittering in the sun . Young Barlow rose to admire ; but his thirst for knowledge was not yet quenched , and he was about to request a song from Juno and Jupiter , when old Jack , pining for society , put his head over the garden wall with a tremendous bray . This unexpected sound startled the inquiring stranger half out of his wits ; for a moment the stout legs staggered and the solemn countenance lost its composure , as he whispered , with an astonished air , `` Is that the way peacocks scream ? '' The children were in fits of laughter , and Miss Celia could hardly make herself heard as she answered merrily , -- `` No , dear ; that is the donkey asking you to come and see him : will you go ? `` I guess I could n't stop now . Mamma might want me . '' And , without another word , the discomfited poet precipitately retired , leaving his cherished sticks behind him . Ben ran after the child to see that he came to no harm , and presently returned to report that Alfred had been met by a servant , and gone away chanting a new verse of his poem , in which peacocks , donkeys , and `` the flowers of life '' were sweetly mingled . `` Now I 'll show you my toys , and we 'll have a little play before it gets too late for Thorny to stay with us , '' said Miss Celia , as Randa carried away the tea-things and brought back a large tray full of picture-books , dissected maps , puzzles , games , and several pretty models of animals , the whole crowned with a large doll dressed as a baby . At sight of that , Betty stretched out her arms to receive it with a cry of delight . Bab seized the games , and Ben was lost in admiration of the little Arab chief prancing on the white horse , -- all saddled and bridled and fit for the fight . Thorny poked about to find a certain curious puzzle which he could put together without a mistake after long study . Even Sancho found something to interest him ; and , standing on his hind-legs , thrust his head between the boys to paw at several red and blue letters on square blocks . `` He looks as if he knew them , '' said Thorny , amused at the dog 's eager whine and scratch . `` He does . Spell your name , Sanch ; '' and Ben put all the gay letters down upon the flags with a chirrup which set the dog 's tail to wagging as he waited till the alphabet was spread before him . Then , with great deliberation , he pushed the letters about till he had picked out six ; these he arranged with nose and paw till the word `` Sancho '' lay before him correctly spelt . `` Is n't that clever ? Can he do any more ? '' cried Thorny , delighted .
`` Lots ; that 's the way he XXXXX his livin ' , and mine too , '' answered Ben ; and proudly put his poodle through his well-learned lessons with such success that even Miss Celia was surprised .
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