`` So I will ! and you shall be my little sisters . I never had any , and I 'd love to try how it seems ; '' and Celia took both the chubby hands in hers , feeling ready to love every one this first bright morning in the new home , which she hoped to make a very happy one . Bab gave a satisfied nod , and fell to examining the rings upon the white hand that held her own . But Betty put her arms about the new friend 's neck , and kissed her so softly that the hungry feeling in Miss Celia 's heart felt better directly ; for this was the food it wanted , and Thorny had not learned yet to return one half of the affection he received . Holding the child close , she played with the yellow braids while she told them about the little German girls in their funny black-silk caps , short-waisted gowns , and wooden shoes , whom she used to see watering long webs of linen bleaching on the grass , watching great flocks of geese , or driving pigs to market , knitting or spinning as they went . Presently `` Randa , '' as she called her stout maid , came to tell her that `` Master Thorny could n't wait another minute ; '' and she went in to breakfast with a good appetite , while the children raced home to bounce in upon Mrs. Moss , talking all at once like little lunatics . `` The phaeton at four , -- so sweet in a beautiful white gown , -- going to tea , and Sancho and all the baby things invited . Ca n't we wear our Sunday frocks ? A splendid new net for Lita . And she likes dolls . Goody , goody , wo n't it be fun ! '' With much difficulty their mother got a clear account of the approaching festivity out of the eager mouths , and with still more difficulty , got breakfast into them , for the children had few pleasures , and this brilliant prospect rather turned their heads . Bab and Betty thought the day would never end , and cheered the long hours by expatiating on the pleasures in store for them , till their playmates were much afflicted because they were not going also . At noon their mother kept them from running over to the old house lest they should be in the way ; so they consoled themselves by going to the syringa bush at the corner and sniffing the savory odors which came from the kitchen , where Katy , the cook , was evidently making nice things for tea . Ben worked as if for a wager till four ; then stood over Pat while he curried Lita till her coat shone like satin , then drove her gently down to the coach-house , where he had the satisfaction of harnessing her `` all his own self '' . `` Shall I go round to the great gate and wait for you there , miss ? '' he asked , when all was ready , looking up at the porch , where the young lady stood watching him as she put on her gloves . `` No , Ben , the great gate is not to be opened till next October . I shall go in and out by the lodge , and leave the avenue to grass and dandelions , meantime , '' answered Miss Celia , as she stepped in and took the reins , with a sudden smile .
But she did not start , even when XXXXX had shaken out the new duster and laid it neatly over her knees .
Ben German Katy Lita Pat Randa coach-house frocks hours webs