The good old minister read the sixteenth chapter of Samuel , and then proceeded to preach a long and somewhat dull sermon . Ben listened with all his ears , for he was interested in the young shepherd , `` ruddy and of a beautiful countenance , '' who was chosen to be Saul 's armor-bearer . He wanted to hear more about him , and how he got on , and whether the evil spirits troubled Saul again after David had harped them out . But nothing more came ; and the old gentleman droned on about other things till poor Ben felt that he must either go to sleep like the Squire , or tip the stool over by accident , since `` nestling '' was forbidden , and relief of some sort he must have . Mrs. Allen gave him a peppermint , and he dutifully ate it , though it was so hot it made his eyes water . Then she fanned him , to his great annoyance , for it blew his hair about ; and the pride of his life was to have his head as smooth and shiny as black satin . An irrepressible sigh of weariness attracted Miss Celia 's attention at last ; for , though she seemed to be listening devoutly , her thoughts had flown over the sea , with tender prayers for one whom she loved even more than David did his Jonathan . She guessed the trouble in a minute , and had provided for it , knowing by experience that few small boys can keep quiet through sermon-time . Finding a certain place in the little book she had brought , she put it into his hands , with the whisper , `` Read if you are tired . '' Ben clutched the book and gladly obeyed , though the title , `` Scripture Narratives , '' did not look very inviting . Then his eye fell on the picture of a slender youth cutting a large man 's head off , while many people stood looking on . `` Jack , the giant-killer , '' thought Ben , and turned the page to see the words `` David and Goliath '' , which was enough to set him to reading the story with great interest ; for here was the shepherd boy turned into a hero . No more fidgets now ; the sermon was no longer heard , the fan flapped unfelt , and Billy Barton 's spirited sketches in the hymnbook were vainly held up for admiration . Ben was quite absorbed in the stirring history of King David , told in a way that fitted it for children 's reading , and illustrated with fine pictures which charmed the boy 's eye . Sermon and story ended at the same time ; and , while he listened to the prayer , Ben felt as if he understood now what Miss Celia meant by saying that words helped when they were well chosen and sincere . Several petitions seemed as if especially intended for him ; and he repeated them to himself that he might remember them , they sounded so sweet and comfortable heard for the first time just when he most needed comfort . Miss Celia saw a new expression in the boy 's face as she glanced down at him , and heard a little humming at her side when all stood up to sing the cheerful hymn with which they were dismissed . `` How do you like church ? '' asked the young lady , as they drove away . `` First-rate ! ''
answered XXXXX , heartily .
Barton Ben Celia David Jack Saul accident first minute peppermint