Do , Bab , to please me , '' he persisted , awkwardly trying to fasten the ornament in the middle of Bab 's ' white apron . `` Then I will . Now do you forgive me for losing Sancho ? '' asked Bab , with a wistful look which made Ben say , heartily , -- `` I did that when he came home . '' `` And you do n't think I 'm horrid ? '' `` Not a bit of it ; you are first-rate , and I 'll stand by you like a man , for you are ` most as good as a boy ! '' cried Ben , anxious to deal handsomely with his feminine rival , whose skill had raised her immensely in his opinion . Feeling that he could not improve that last compliment , Bab was fully satisfied , and let him leave the prize upon her breast , conscious that she had some claim to it . `` That is where it should be , and Ben is a true knight , winning the prize that he may give it to his lady , while he is content with the victory , '' said Miss Celia , laughingly , to Teacher , as the children ran off to join in the riotous games which soon made the orchard ring . `` He learned that at the circus ` tunnyments , ' as he calls them . He is a nice boy , and I am much interested in him ; for he has the two things that do most toward making a man , patience and courage , '' answered Teacher , also as she watched the young knight play and the honored lady tearing about in a game of tag . `` Bab is a nice child , too , '' said Miss Celia ; `` she is as quick as a flash to catch an idea and carry it out , though very often the ideas are wild ones . She could have won just now , I fancy , if she had tried , but took the notion into her head that it was nobler to let Ben win , and so atone for the trouble she gave him in losing the dog . I saw a very sweet look on her face just now , and am sure that Ben will never know why he beat . '' `` She does such things at school sometimes , and I ca n't bear to spoil her little atonements , though they are not always needed or very wise , '' answered Teacher . `` Not long ago I found that she had been giving her lunch day after day to a poor child who seldom had any , and when I asked her why , she said , with tears , ' I used to laugh at Abby , because she had only crusty , dry bread , and so she would n't bring any . I ought to give her mine and be hungry , it was so mean to make fun of her poorness . '' `` Did you stop the sacrifice ? '' `` No ; I let Bab ` go halves , ' and added an extra bit to my own lunch , so I could make my contribution likewise . '' `` Come and tell me about Abby .
I want to make friends with our poor people , for soon I shall have a right to help them ; '' and , putting her arm in Teacher 's , Miss XXXXX led her away for a quiet chat in the porch , making her guest 's visit a happy holiday by confiding several plans and asking advice in the friendliest way .
Abby Bab Ben Celia Sancho Teacher atonements day poorness tunnyments