`` Of course I would if I could . Should n't be surprised if you did some day , you want such funny things , '' answered Ben , appeased by the compliment . `` I 'll try the amanuensis first . It 's only some one to write for me ; I get so tired doing it without a table . You write well enough , and it will be good for you to know something about botany . I intend to teach you , Ben , '' said Thorny , as if conferring a great favor . `` It looks pretty hard , '' muttered Ben , with a doleful Glance at the book laid open upon a strew of torn leaves and flowers . `` No , it is n't ; it 's regularly jolly ; and you 'd be no end of a help if you only knew a little . Now , suppose I say , ` Bring me a `` ranunculus bulbosus , '' ' how would you know what I wanted ? '' demanded Thorny , waving his microscope with a learned air . `` Should n't . '' `` There are quantities of them all round us ; and I want to analyze one . See if you ca n't guess . '' Ben stared vaguely from earth to sky , and was about to give it up , when a buttercup fell at his feet , and he caught sight of Miss Celia smiling at him from behind her brother , who did not see the flower . `` S'pose you mean this ? I do n't call 'em rhinocerus bulburses , so I was n't sure . '' And , taking the hint as quickly as it was given , Ben presented the buttercup as if he knew all about it . `` You guessed that remarkably well . Now bring me a ` leontodon taraxacum , ' '' said Thorny , charmed with the quickness of his pupil , and glad to display his learning . Again Ben gazed , but the field was full of early flowers ; and , if a long pencil had not pointed to a dandelion close by , he would have been lost .
`` Here you are , sir , '' he answered with a chuckle and XXXXX took his turn at being astonished now .
Ben Celia Thorny bulbosus bulburses buttercup day first strew taraxacum