`` That will tickle him immensely ; and if you 'd just let him put brown tops to my old boots , and stick a cockade in his hat when he sits up behind the phaeton , he 'd be a happy fellow , '' laughed Thorny , who had discovered that one of Ben 's ambitions was to be a tip-top groom . `` No , thank you ; those things are out of place in America , and would be absurd in a small country place like this . His blue suit and straw hat please me better for a boy ; though a nicer little groom , in livery or out , no one could desire , and you may tell him I said so . '' `` I will , and he 'll look as proud as punch ; for he thinks every word you say worth a dozen from any one else . But wo n't you give him something ? Just some little trifle , to show that we are both eating humble pie , feeling sorry about the mouse money . '' `` I shall give him a set of school-books , and try to get him ready to begin when vacation is over . An education is the best present we can make him ; and I want you to help me fit him to enter as well is he can . 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 ; XXXXX gave it to me .
America Bab Ben Celia Thorny a-fire cockade day dears right