Leaning down , Miss Celia slipped a new quarter into his hand , saying , `` Lita wants me to give you this for taking the stone out of her foot . '' `` Thank y ' , ma'am ; I liked to do it , for I hate to see 'em limp , ` specially such a pretty one as she is , '' answered Ben , stroking the glossy neck with a loving touch . `` The Squire says you know a good deal about horses , so I suppose you understand the Houyhnhnm language ? I 'm learning it , and it is very nice , '' laughed Miss Celia , as Chevalita gave a little whinny and snuffled her nose into Ben 's pocket . `` No , miss , I never went to school . '' `` That is not taught there . I 'll bring you a book all about it when I come back . Mr. Gulliver went to the horse-country and heard the dear things speak their own tongue . '' `` My father has been on the prairies , where there 's lots of wild ones , but he did n't hear 'em speak . I know what they want without talkin ' , '' answered Ben , suspecting a joke , but not exactly seeing what it was . `` I do n't doubt it , but I wo n't forget the book . Good-by , my lad , we shall soon meet again , '' and away went Miss Celia as if she were in a hurry to get back . `` If she only had a red habit and a streamin ' white feather , she 'd look as fine as ` Melia used to . She is ` most as kind and rides ` most as well . Wonder where she 's goin ' to . Hope she will come soon , '' thought Ben , watching till the last flutter of the blue habit vanished round the corner ; and then he went back to his work with his head full of the promised book , pausing now and then to chink the two silver halves and the new quarter together in his pocket , wondering what he should buy with this vast sum . Bab and Betty meantime had had a most exciting day ; for when they went home at noon they found the pretty lady there , and she had talked to them like an old friend , given them a ride on the little horse , and kissed them both good-by when they went back to school . In the afternoon the lady was gone , the old house all open , and their mother sweeping , airing , in great spirits . So they had a splendid frolic tumbling on feather-beds , beating bits of carpet , opening closets , and racing from garret to cellar like a pair of distracted kittens . Here Ben found them , and was at once overwhelmed with a burst of news which excited him as much as it did them .
Miss XXXXX owned the house , was coming to liver there , and things were to be made ready as soon as possible .
Bab Betty Celia Chevalita Gulliver Houyhnhnm Squire afternoon day horse-country