Anxious to curb her brother 's pugnacious propensities , Miss Celia proposed milder measures , promising to speak to the boys herself if there was any more trouble . `` I have been thinking that we should have some sort of merry-making for Ben on his birthday . My plan was a very simple one ; but I will enlarge it , and have all the young folks come , and Ben shall be king of the fun . he needs encouragement in well-doing , for he does try ; and now the first hard part is nearly over , I am sure he will get on bravely . If we treat him with respect , and show our regard for him , others will follow our example ; and that will be better than fighting about it . '' `` So it will ! What shall we do to make our party tip-top ? '' asked Thorny , falling into the trap at once ; for he dearly loved to get up theatricals , and had not had any for a long time . `` We will plan something splendid , a ` grand combination , ' as you used to call your droll mixtures of tragedy , comedy , melodrama and farce , '' answered his sister , with her head already full of lively plots . `` We 'll startle the natives . I do n't believe they ever saw a play in all their lives , hey , Bab ? '' `` I 've seen a circus . '' `` We dress up and do ` Babes in the Wood , ' '' added Betty , with dignity . `` Pho ! that 's nothing . I 'll show you acting that will make your hair stand on end , and you shall act too . Bab will be capital for the naughty girls , '' began Thorny , excited by the prospect of producing a sensation on the boards , and always ready to tease the girls . Before Betty could protest that she did not want her hair to stand up , or Bab could indignantly decline the role offered her , a shrill whistle was heard , and Miss Celia whispered , with a warning look , -- `` Hush ! Ben is coming , and he must not know any thing about this yet . '' The next day was Wednesday , and in the afternoon Miss Celia went to hear the children `` speak pieces , '' though it was very seldom that any of the busy matrons and elder sisters found time or inclination for these displays of youthful oratory .
Miss XXXXX and Mrs. Moss were all the audience on this occasion , but Teacher was both pleased and proud to see them , and a general rustle went through the school as they came in , all the girls turning from the visitors to nod at Bab and Betty , who smiled all over their round faces to see `` Ma '' sitting up '' ` side of Teacher , '' and the boys grinned at Ben , whose heart began to beat fast at the thought of his dear mistress coming so far to hear him say his piece .
Bab Babes Ben Betty Celia Pho encouragement first matrons propensities