He said nothing of his conversation with Miss Celia , because he had not quite made up his mind whether he liked it or not ; it was so new and serious , he felt as if he had better lay it by , to think over a good deal before he could understand all about it . But he had time to get dismal again , and long for four o'clock ; because he had nothing to do except whittle . Mrs. Moss went to take a nap ; Bab and Betty sat demurely on their bench reading Sunday books ; no boys were allowed to come and play ; even the hens retired under the currant-bushes , and the cock stood among them , clucking drowsily , as if reading them a sermon . `` Dreadful slow day ! '' thought Ben ; and , retiring to the recesses of his own room , he read over the two letters which seemed already old to him . Now that the first shock was over , he could not make it true that his father was dead , and he gave up trying ; for he was an honest boy , and felt that it was foolish to pretend to be more unhappy than he really was . So he put away his letters , took the black pocket off Sanch 's neck , and allowed himself to whistle softly as he packed up his possessions , ready to move next day , with few regrets and many bright anticipations for the future . `` Thorny , I want you to be good to Ben , and amuse him in some quiet way this afternoon . I must stay and see the Morrises , who are coming over ; but you can go to the grove and have a pleasant time , '' said Miss Celia to her brother . `` Not much fun in talking to that horsey fellow . I 'm sorry for him , but I ca n't do anything to amuse him , '' objected Thorny , pulling himself up from the sofa with a great yawn . `` You can be very agreeable when you like ; and Ben has had enough of me for this time . To-morrow he will have his work , and do very well ; but we must try to help him through to-day , because he does n't know what to do with himself . Besides , it is just the time to make a good impression on him , while grief for his father softens him , and gives us a chance . I like him , and I 'm sure he wants to do well ; so it is our duty to help him , as there seems to be no one else . '' `` Here goes , then ! Where is he ? '' and Thorny stood up , won by his sister 's sweet earnestness , but very doubtful of his own success with the `` horsey fellow . '' `` Waiting with the chair . Randa has gone on with the hammock .
Be a dear boy , and I 'll do as much for you some XXXXX . ''
Ben Morrises Randa afternoon day first horsey o'clock recesses whittle