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 Miss Celia says I may . She knows how to make folks feel good , do n't she ? '' and Ben gratefully surveyed the Arab chief , now his own , though the best of all the collection . `` Wo n't we have splendid times ? She Says we may come over every night and play with her and Thorny . '' `` And she 's goin ' , to have the seats in the porch lift up , so we can put our things in there all day and have 'em handy . '' `` And I 'm going to be her boy , and stay here all the time . I guess the letter I brought was a recommend from the Squire . '' `` Yes , Ben ; and if I had not already made up my mind to keep you before , I certainly would now , my boy . ''
Something in Miss Celia 's voice , as she said the last two words with her hand on Ben 's shoulder , made him XXXXX up quickly and turn red with pleasure , wondering what the Squire had written about him .
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