I saw some jolly ones over at Berryville , oxidized silver , with dogs ' heads on them , yellow eyes , and all as natural as could be . Those , now , would just suit him for his go-to-meeting white shirts , -- neat , appropriate , and in memoriam . '' Miss Celia could not help laughing , it was such a boyish suggestion ; but she agreed to it , thinking Thorny knew best , and hoping the yellow-eyed dogs would be as balm to Ben 's wounds . `` Well , dear , you may give those , and Lita shall give the little whip with a horse 's foot for a handle , if it is not gone . I saw it at the harness shop in town ; and Ben admired it so much that I planned to give it to him on his birthday . '' `` That will tickle him immensely ; and if you 'd just let him put brown tops to my old boots , and stick a cockade in his hat when he sits up behind the phaeton , he 'd be a happy fellow , '' laughed Thorny , who had discovered that one of Ben 's ambitions was to be a tip-top groom . `` No , thank you ; those things are out of place in America , and would be absurd in a small country place like this . His blue suit and straw hat please me better for a boy ; though a nicer little groom , in livery or out , no one could desire , and you may tell him I said so . '' `` I will , and he 'll look as proud as punch ; for he thinks every word you say worth a dozen from any one else . But wo n't you give him something ? Just some little trifle , to show that we are both eating humble pie , feeling sorry about the mouse money . '' `` I shall give him a set of school-books , and try to get him ready to begin when vacation is over . An education is the best present we can make him ; and I want you to help me fit him to enter as well is he can . Bab and Betty began , little dears , -- lent him their books and taught all they knew ; so Ben got a taste , and , with the right encouragement , would like to go on , I am sure . '' `` That 's so like you Celia ! Always thinking of the best thing and doing it handsomely . I 'll help like a house a-fire , if he will let me ; but , all day , he 's been as stiff as a poker , so I do n't believe he forgives me a bit . '' `` He will in time , and if you are kind and patient , he will be glad to have you help him . I shall make it a sort of favor to me on his part , to let you see to his lessons , now and then . It will be quite true , for I do n't want you to touch your Latin or algebra till cool weather ; teaching him will be play to you . ''
Miss XXXXX 's last words made her brother unbend his brows , for he longed to get at his books again , and the idea of being tutor to his `` man-servant '' did not altogether suit him .
America Bab Ben Betty Celia Lita Thorny a-fire cockade school-books