It was already half torn out of his trousers with the weight of nails , pebbles , and other light trifles ; so he gave it a final wrench and tied it into the dog 's collar , saying to himself , as he put away his treasures , with a sigh , -- `` One pocket is enough ; I sha 'n' t want anything but a han ` k ` chi ' f to-day . '' Fortunately , that article of dress was clean , for he had but one ; and , with this somewhat ostentatiously drooping from the solitary pocket , the serious hat upon his head , the new shoes creaking mournfully , and Sanch gravely following , much impressed with his black bow , the chief mourner descended , feeling that he had done his best to show respect to the dead . Mrs. Moss 's eyes filled as she saw the rusty band , and guessed why it was there ; but she found it difficult to repress a smile when she beheld the cambric symbol of woe on the dog 's neck . Not a word was said to disturb the boy 's comfort in these poor attempts , however ; and he went out to do his chores , conscious that he was an object of interest to his friends , especially so to Bab and Betty , who , having been told of Ben 's loss , now regarded him with a sort of pitying awe very grateful to his feelings . `` I want you to drive me to church by-and-by . It is going to be pretty warm , and Thorny is hardly strong enough to venture yet , '' said Miss Celia , when Ben ran over after breakfast to see if she had any thing for him to do ; for he considered her his mistress now , though he was not to take possession of his new quarters till the morrow . `` Yes , 'm , I 'd like to , if I look well enough , '' answered Ben , pleased to be asked , but impressed with the idea that people had to be very fine on such occasions . `` You will do very well when I have given you a touch . God does n't mind our clothes , Ben , and the poor are as welcome as the rich to him . You have not been much , have you ? '' asked Miss Celia , anxious to help the boy , and not quite sure how to begin . `` No , 'm ; our folks did n't hardly ever go , and father was so tired he used to rest Sundays , or go off in the woods with me . '' A little quaver came into Ben 's voice as he spoke , and a sudden motion made his hat-brim hide his eyes , for the thought of the happy times that would never come any more was almost too much for him . `` That was a pleasant way to rest . I often do so , and we will go to the grove this afternoon and try it . But I have to go to church in the morning ; it seems to start me right for the week ; and if one has a sorrow that is the place where one can always find comfort . Will you come and try it , Ben , dear ? '' `` I 'd do any thing to please you , '' muttered Ben , without looking up ; for , though he felt her kindness to the bottom of his heart , he did wish that no one would talk about father for a little while ; it was so hard to keep from crying , and he hated to be a baby . Miss Celia seemed to understand , for the next thing she said , in a very cheerful tone , was , `` See what a pretty sight that is . When I was a little girl I used to think spiders spun cloth for the fairies , and spread it on the grass to bleach . ''
XXXXX stopped digging a hole in the ground with his toe , and looked up , to see a lovely cobweb like a wheel , circle within circle , spun across a corner of the arch over the gate .
Bab Ben Betty Moss Sanch bleach by-and-by right trifles wrench