He could n't resist an affable nod to Bab and Betty , for they stood under the maple-tree , and the memory of their circulating library made him forget his dignity in his gratitude . `` We will take them next time , but now I want to talk to you , '' began Miss Celia , as Lita climbed the hill . `` My brother has been ill , and I have brought him here to get well . I want to do all sorts of things to amuse him , and I think you can help me in many ways . Would you like to work for me instead of the Squire ? `` I guess I would ! '' ejaculated Ben , so heartily that no further assurances were needed , and Miss Celia went on , well pleased : -- `` You see , poor Thorny is weak and fretful , and does not like to exert himself , though he ought to be out a great deal , and kept from thinking of his little troubles . He can not walk much yet , so I have a wheeled chair to push him in ; and the paths are so hard , it will be easy to roll him about . That will be one thing you can do . Another is to take care of his pets till he is able to do it himself . Then you can tell him your adventures , and talk to him as only a boy can talk to a boy . That will amuse him when I want to write or go out ; but I never leave him long , and hope he will soon be running about as well as the rest of us . How does that sort of work look to you ? '' `` First-rate ! I 'll take real good care of the little feller , and do every thing I know to please him , and so will Sanch ; he 's fond of children , '' answered Ben , heartily , for the new place looked very inviting to him . Miss Celia laughed , and rather damped his ardor by her next words . `` I do n't know what Thorny would say to hear you call him ` little . ' He is fourteen , and appears to get taller and taller every day . He seems like a child to me , because I am nearly ten years older than he is ; but you need n't be afraid of his long legs and big eyes , he is too feeble to do any harm ; only you must n't mind if he orders you about . '' `` I 'm used to that .
I do n't mind it if he wo n't call me a ` spalpeen , ' and fire things at me , '' said XXXXX , thinking of his late trials with Pat .
Bab Ben Betty Celia Lita Sanch Squire day maple-tree years