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 Ben had shaken out the new duster and laid it neatly over her knees . `` Is n't it all right now ? '' asked the boy , anxiously . `` Not quite ; I need one thing more . Ca n't you guess what it is ? '' and Miss Celia watched his anxious face as his eyes wandered from the tips of Lita 's ears to the hind-wheel of the phaeton , trying to discover what had been omitted . `` No , miss , I do n't see -- '' he began , much mortified to think he had forgotten any thing . `` Would n't a little groom up behind improve the appearance of my turnout ? '' she said , with a look which left no doubt in his mind that he was to be the happy boy to occupy that proud perch . He grew red with pleasure , but stammered , as he hesitated , looking down at his bare feet and blue shirt , -- `` I ai n't fit , miss ; and I have n't got any other clothes . '' Miss Celia only smiled again more kindly than before , and answered , in a tone which he understood better than her words , -- `` A great man said his coat-of-arms was a pair of shirt-sleeves , and a sweet poet sang about a barefooted boy ; so I need not be too proud to ride with one . Up with you , Ben , my man , and let us be off , or we shall be late for our party . '' With one bound the new groom was in his place , sitting very erect , with his legs stiff , arms folded , and nose in the air , as he had seen real grooms sit behind their masters in fine dog-carts or carriages . Mrs. Moss nodded as they drove past the lodge , and Ben touched his torn hat-brim in the most dignified manner , though he could not suppress a broad grin of delight , which deepened into a chuckle when Lita went off at a brisk trot along the smooth road toward town . It takes so little to make a child happy , it is a pity grown people do not oftener remember it and scatter little bits of pleasure before the small people , as they throw crumbs to the hungry sparrows .
Miss XXXXX knew the boy was pleased , but he had no words in which to express his gratitude for the great contentment she had given him .
Ben Ca Celia Lita Moss Pat coach-house hind-wheel shirt-sleeves sparrows