As none of them knew much about the place , it really was quite exciting to start off on a bright morning with a roll of wraps and cushions , lunch , books , and drawing materials packed into the phaeton , and drive at random about the shady roads and lanes , pausing when and where they liked . Wonderful discoveries were made , pretty places were named , plans were drawn , and all sorts of merry adventures befell the pilgrims . Each day they camped in a new spot , and while Lita nibbled the fresh grass at her ease , Miss Celia sketched under the big umbrella , Thorny read or lounged or slept on his rubber blanket , and Ben made himself generally useful . Unloading , filling the artist 's water-bottle , piling the invalid 's cushions , setting out the lunch , running to and fro for a Bower or a butterfly , climbing a tree to report the view , reading , chatting , or frolicking with Sancho , -- any sort of duty was in Ben 's line , and he did them all well , for an out-of-door life was natural to him and he liked it . `` Ben , I want an amanuensis , '' said Thorny , dropping book and pencil one day after a brief interval of silence , broken only by the whisper of the young leaves overhead and the soft babble of the brook close by . `` A what ? '' asked Ben , pushing back his hat with such an air of amazement that Thorny rather loftily inquired : `` Do n't you know what an amanuensis is ? '' `` Well , no ; not unless it 's some relation to an anaconda . Should n't think you 'd want one of them , anyway . '' Thorny rolled over with a hoot of derision , and his sister , who sat close by , sketching an old gate , looked up to see what was going on . `` Well , you need n't laugh at a feller . You did n't know what a wombat was when I asked you , and I did n't roar , '' said Ben , giving his hat a slap , as nothing else was handy . `` The idea of wanting an anaconda tickled me so , I could n't help it . I dare say you 'd have got me one if I had asked for it , you are such an obliging chap . '' `` 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 XXXXX , with a doleful Glance at the book laid open upon a strew of torn leaves and flowers .
Ben Celia Sancho babble day first fro morning phaeton water-bottle