Thorny will be too tired to drive , but I must hear from the post-office , rain or shine ; '' and Miss Celia 's pretty color brightened as she spoke , either from some happy thought or because she was bashful , for the honest young faces before her plainly showed their admiration of the white-gowned lady under the honeysuckles . The appearance of Miranda , the maid , reminded the children of their errand ; and having delivered their offerings , they were about to retire in some confusion , when Miss Celia said pleasantly , -- `` I want to thank you for helping put things in such nice order . I see signs of busy hands and feet both inside the house and all about the grounds , and I am very much obliged . '' `` I raked the beds , '' said Ben , proudly eying the neat ovals and circles . `` I swept all the paths , '' added Bab , with a reproachful glance at several green sprigs fallen from the load of clover on the smooth walk . `` I cleared up the porch , '' and Betty 's clean pinafore rose and fell with a long sigh , as she surveyed the late summer residence of her exiled family . Miss Celia guessed the meaning of that sigh , and made haste to turn it into a smile by asking anxiously , -- `` What has become of the playthings ? I do n't see them anywhere . '' `` Ma said you would n't want our duds round , so we took them all home , '' answered Betty , with a wistful face . `` But I do want them round . I like dolls and toys almost as much as ever , and quite miss the little ` duds ' from porch and path . Suppose you come to tea with me to-night and bring some of them back ? I should be very sorry to rob you of your pleasant play-place . '' `` Oh , yes , 'm , we 'd love to come ! and we 'll bring our best things . '' `` Ma always lets us have our shiny pitchers and the china poodle when we go visiting or have company at home , '' said Bab and Betty , both speaking at once . `` Bring what you like , and I 'll hunt up my toys , too . Ben is to come also , and his poodle is especially invited , '' added Miss Celia , as Sancho came and begged before her , feeling that some agreeable project was under discussion . `` Thank you , miss . I told them you 'd be willing they should come sometimes .
They like this place ever so much , and so do I , '' said XXXXX , feeling that few spots combined so many advantages in the way of climbable trees , arched gates , half-a-dozen gables , and other charms suited to the taste of an aspiring youth who had been a flying Cupid at the age of seven .
Bab Ben Betty Celia Ma Miranda honeysuckles pinafore playthings sprigs