Who taught you to do it ? '' asked Bab , as she and Betty walked up and down admiring them . `` Horse blankets , '' answered Ben , soberly . `` What ! '' cried both girls , stopping to stare . `` Our horses all had their names on their blankets , and I used to copy 'em . The wagons had signs , and I learned to read that way after father taught me my letters off the red and yellow posters . First word I knew was lion , 'cause I was always goin ' to see old Jubal in his cage . Father was real proud when I read it right off . I can draw one , too . '' Ben proceeded to depict an animal intended to represent his lost friend ; but Jubal would not have recognized his portrait , since it looked much more like Sancho than the king of the forest . The children admired it immensely , however , and Ben gave them a lesson in natural history which was so interesting that it kept them busy and happy till bedtime ; for the boy described what he had seen in such lively language , and illustrated in such a droll way , it was no wonder they were charmed . CHAPTER VII NEW FRIENDS TROT IN Next day Ben ran off to his work with Quackenbos 's `` Elementary History of the United States '' in his pocket , and the Squire 's cows had ample time to breakfast on way-side grass before they were put into their pasture . Even then the pleasant lesson was not ended , for Ben had an errand to town ; and all the way he read busily , tumbling over the hard words , and leaving bits which he did not understand to be explained at night by Bab . At `` The First Settlements '' he had to stop , for the schoolhouse was reached , and the book must be returned . The maple-tree closet was easily found , and a little surprise hidden under the flat stone ; for Ben paid two sticks of red and white candy for the privilege of taking books from the new library . When recess came , great was the rejoicing of the children over their unexpected treat , for Mrs. Moss had few pennies to spare for sweets , and , somehow , this candy tasted particularly nice , bought out of grateful Ben 's solitary dime . The little girls shared their goodies with their favorite mates , but said nothing about the new arrangement , fearing it would be spoilt if generally known . They told their mother , however , and she gave them leave to lend their books and encourage Ben to love learning all they could . She also proposed that they should drop patch-work , and help her make some blue shirts for Ben .
Mrs. Barton had given her the materials , and she thought it would be an excellent lesson in needle-work as well as a useful gift to XXXXX , -- who , boy-like , never troubled himself as to what he should wear when his one suit of clothes gave out .
Bab Ben Betty Father Jubal Sancho States VII patch-work right