Bab and Betty began , little dears , -- lent him their books and taught all they knew ; so Ben got a taste , and , with the right encouragement , would like to go on , I am sure . '' `` That 's so like you Celia ! Always thinking of the best thing and doing it handsomely . I 'll help like a house a-fire , if he will let me ; but , all day , he 's been as stiff as a poker , so I do n't believe he forgives me a bit . '' `` He will in time , and if you are kind and patient , he will be glad to have you help him . I shall make it a sort of favor to me on his part , to let you see to his lessons , now and then . It will be quite true , for I do n't want you to touch your Latin or algebra till cool weather ; teaching him will be play to you . '' Miss Celia 's last words made her brother unbend his brows , for he longed to get at his books again , and the idea of being tutor to his `` man-servant '' did not altogether suit him . `` I 'll tool him along at a great pace , if he will only go . Geography and arithmetic shall be my share , and you may have the writing and spelling ; it gives me the fidgets to set copies ' , and hear children make a mess of words . Shall I get the books when I buy the other things ? Can I go this afternoon ? '' `` Yes , here is the list ; Bab gave it to me . You can go if you will come home early and have your tooth filled . '' Gloom fell at once upon Thorny 's beaming face , and he gave such a shrill whistle that his sister jumped in her chair , as she added , persuasively , -- `` It wo n't hurt a bit , now , and the longer you leave it the worse it will be . Dr. Mann is ready at any time ; and , once over , you will be at peace for months . Come , my hero , give your orders , and take one of the girls to support you in the trying hour . Have Bab ; she will enjoy it , and amuse you with her chatter . '' `` As if I needed girls round for such a trifle as that ! '' returned Thorny with a shrug , though he groaned inwardly at the prospect before him , as most of us do on such occasions .
`` I would n't take XXXXX at any price ; she 'd only get into some scrape , and upset the whole plan .
Bab Ben Betty Celia Mann a-fire day hour months right