I will say that . It is a very pretty one , '' observed the poet with charming candor ; and , taking a long breath , he tuned his little lyre afresh : Sweet , sweet days are passing O'er my happy home . Passing on swift wings through the valley of life . Cold are the days when winter comes again . When my sweet days were passing at my happy home , Sweet were the days on the rivulet 's green brink ; Sweet were the days when I read my father 's books ; Sweet were the winter days when bright fires are blazing . '' `` Bless the baby ! where did he get all that ? '' exclaimed Miss Celia , amazed ; while the children giggled as Tennyson , Jr. , took a bite at the turtle instead of the half-eaten cake , and then , to prevent further mistakes , crammed the unhappy creature into a diminutive pocket in the most business-like way imaginable . `` It comes out of my head . I make lots of them , '' began the imperturbable one , yielding more and more to the social influences of the hour . `` Here are the peacocks coming to be fed , '' interrupted Bab , as the handsome birds appeared with their splendid plumage glittering in the sun . Young Barlow rose to admire ; but his thirst for knowledge was not yet quenched , and he was about to request a song from Juno and Jupiter , when old Jack , pining for society , put his head over the garden wall with a tremendous bray . This unexpected sound startled the inquiring stranger half out of his wits ; for a moment the stout legs staggered and the solemn countenance lost its composure , as he whispered , with an astonished air , `` Is that the way peacocks scream ? '' The children were in fits of laughter , and Miss Celia could hardly make herself heard as she answered merrily , -- `` No , dear ; that is the donkey asking you to come and see him : will you go ? `` I guess I could n't stop now . Mamma might want me . '' And , without another word , the discomfited poet precipitately retired , leaving his cherished sticks behind him . Ben ran after the child to see that he came to no harm , and presently returned to report that Alfred had been met by a servant , and gone away chanting a new verse of his poem , in which peacocks , donkeys , and `` the flowers of life '' were sweetly mingled . `` Now I 'll show you my toys , and we 'll have a little play before it gets too late for Thorny to stay with us , '' said Miss Celia , as Randa carried away the tea-things and brought back a large tray full of picture-books , dissected maps , puzzles , games , and several pretty models of animals , the whole crowned with a large doll dressed as a baby . At sight of that , Betty stretched out her arms to receive it with a cry of delight .
XXXXX seized the games , and Ben was lost in admiration of the little Arab chief prancing on the white horse , -- all saddled and bridled and fit for the fight .
Bab Ben Betty Juno Jupiter Randa donkeys lyre plumage tea-things