The children were much disappointed , but were appeased by a promise that they should all go to pay their respects in the morning . They were up so early , and were so impatient to be off , that Mrs. Moss let them go with the warning that they would find only the servants astir . She was mistaken , however , for , as the procession approached , a voice from the porch called out , `` Good-morning little neighbors ! '' so unexpectedly , that Bab nearly spilt the new milk she carried , Betty gave such a start that the fresh-laid eggs quite skipped in the dish , and Ben 's face broke into a broad grin over the armful of clover which he brought for the bunnies , as he bobbed his head , saying briskly , -- `` She 's all right , miss , Lita is ; and I can bring her over any minute you say . '' `` I shall want her at four o'clock . 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 XXXXX , both speaking at once .
Ben Betty Miranda Moss bunnies minute pinafore playthings right sprigs