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 thing you can do . Another is to take care of his pets till he is able to do it himself . Then you can tell him your adventures , and talk to him as only a boy can talk to a boy . That will amuse him when I want to write or go out ; but I never leave him long , and hope he will soon be running about as well as the rest of us . How does that sort of work look to you ? '' `` First-rate !
I 'll take real good care of the little feller , and do every thing I know to please him , and so will Sanch ; he 's fond of children , '' answered XXXXX , heartily , for the new place looked very inviting to him .
Ben Betty Lita Moss Squire crumbs dog-carts hat-brim maple-tree sparrows