`` 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 Ben , thinking of his late trials with Pat . `` I can promise that ; and I am sure Thorny will like you , for I told him your story , and he is anxious to see ` the circus boy ' as he called you . Squire Allen says I may trust you , and I am glad to do so , for it saves me much trouble to find what I want all ready for me . You shall be well fed and clothed , kindly treated and honestly paid , if you like to stay with me . '' `` I know I shall like it -- till father comes , anyway . Squire wrote to Smithers right off , but has n't got any answer yet . I know they are on the go now , so may be we wo n't hear for ever so long , '' answered Ben , feeling less impatient to be off than before this fine proposal was made to him . `` I dare say ; meantime , we will see how we get on together , and perhaps your father will be willing leave you for the summer if he is away . Now show me the baker 's , the candy-shop , and the post-office , '' said Miss Celia , as they rattled down the main street of the village . Ben made himself useful ; and when all the other errands were done , received his reward in the shape of a new pair of shoes and a straw hat with a streaming blue ribbon , on the ends of which shone silvery anchors . He was also allowed to drive home , while his new mistress read her letters . One particularly long one , with a queer stamp on the envelope , she read twice , never speaking a word till they got back . Then Ben was sent off with Lita and the Squire 's letters , promising to get his chores done in time for tea .
CHAPTER IX A HAPPY TEA Exactly five minutes before six the party arrived in great state , for Bab and Betty wore their best frocks and hair-ribbons , XXXXX had a new blue shirt and his shoes on as full-dress , and Sancho 's curls were nicely brushed , his frills as white as if just done up .
Allen Ben Celia Lita Pat Squire candy-shop fire right years