`` As I 'm in a hurry to see the old house , I 'll go this way first , if you will be kind enough to give my love to Mrs. Morris , and tell the Squire Miss Celia is coming to dine with him . I wo n't say good-by , because I shall see you again . '' With a nod and a smile , the young lady cantered away , and Ben hurried up the hill to deliver his message , feeling as if something pleasant was going to happen ; so it would be wise to defer running away , for the present at least . At one o'clock Miss Celia arrived , and Ben had the delight of helping Pat stable pretty Chevalita ; then , his own dinner hastily eaten , he fell to work at the detested wood-pile with sudden energy ; for as he worked he could steal peeps into the dining-room , and see the curly brown head between the two gay ones , as the three sat round the table . He could not help hearing a word now and then , as the windows were open , and these bits of conversation filled him with curiosity for the names `` Thorny , '' `` Celia , '' and `` George '' were often repeated , and an occasional merry laugh from the young lady sounded like music in that usually quiet place . When dinner was over , Ben 's industrious fit left him , and he leisurely trundled his barrow to and fro till the guest departed . There was no chance for him to help now , since Pat , anxious to get whatever trifle might be offered for his services , was quite devoted in his attentions to the mare and her mistress , till she was mounted and off . But Miss Celia did not forget her little guide , and , spying a wistful face behind the wood-pile , paused at the gate and beckoned with that winning smile of hers . If ten Pats had stood scowling in the way , Ben would have defied them all ; and , vaulting over the fence , he ran up with a shining face , hoping she wanted some last favor of him . Leaning down , Miss Celia slipped a new quarter into his hand , saying , `` Lita wants me to give you this for taking the stone out of her foot . '' `` Thank y ' , ma'am ; I liked to do it , for I hate to see 'em limp , ` specially such a pretty one as she is , '' answered Ben , stroking the glossy neck with a loving touch . `` The Squire says you know a good deal about horses , so I suppose you understand the Houyhnhnm language ? I 'm learning it , and it is very nice , '' laughed Miss Celia , as Chevalita gave a little whinny and snuffled her nose into Ben 's pocket . `` No , miss , I never went to school . '' `` That is not taught there . I 'll bring you a book all about it when I come back . Mr. Gulliver went to the horse-country and heard the dear things speak their own tongue . '' `` My father has been on the prairies , where there 's lots of wild ones , but he did n't hear 'em speak . I know what they want without talkin ' , '' answered Ben , suspecting a joke , but not exactly seeing what it was . `` I do n't doubt it , but I wo n't forget the book .
Good-by , my lad , we shall soon meet again , '' and away went Miss XXXXX as if she were in a hurry to get back .
Celia Chevalita Gulliver Houyhnhnm Lita Morris Pat Squire prairies wood-pile