The girls immediately began to talk about picnics , and have them , too ; for little hats sprung up in the fields like a new sort of mushroom , -- every hillside bloomed with gay gowns , looking as if the flowers had gone out for a walk ; and the woods were full of featherless birds chirping away as blithely as the thrushes , robins , and wrens . The boys took to base-ball like ducks to water , and the common was the scene of tremendous battles , waged with much tumult , but little bloodshed . To the uninitiated , it appeared as if these young men had lost their wits ; for , no matter how warm it was , there they were , tearing about in the maddest manner , jackets off , sleeves rolled up , queer caps flung on any way , all batting shabby leather balls , and catching the same , as if their lives depended on it . Every one talking in his gruffest tone , bawling at the top of his voice , squabbling over every point of the game , and seeming to enjoy himself immensely , in spite of the heat , dust , uproar , and imminent danger of getting eyes or teeth knocked out . Thorny was an excellent player , but , not being strong enough to show his prowess , he made Ben his proxy ; and , sitting on the fence , acted as umpire to his heart 's content . Ben was a promising pupil , and made rapid progress ; for eye , foot , and hand had been so well trained , that they did him good service now ; and Brown was considered a first-rate `` catcher '' . Sancho distinguished himself by his skill in hunting up stray balls , and guarding jackets when not needed , with the air of one of the Old Guard on duty at the tomb of Napoleon . Bab also longed to join in the fun , which suited her better than `` stupid picnics '' or `` fussing over dolls ; '' but her heroes would not have her at any price ; and she was obliged to content herself with sitting by Thorny , and watching with breathless interest the varying fortunes of `` our side . '' A grand match was planned for the Fourth of July ; but when the club met , things were found to be unpropitious . Thorny had gone out of town with his sister to pass the day , two of the best players did not appear , and the others were somewhat exhausted by the festivities , which began at sunrise for them . So they lay about on the grass in the shade of the big elm , languidly discussing their various wrongs and disappointments . `` It 's the meanest Fourth I ever saw . Ca n't have no crackers , because somebody 's horse got scared last year , '' growled Sam Kitteridge , bitterly resenting the stern edict which forbade free-born citizens to burn as much gunpowder as they liked on that glorious day . `` Last year Jimmy got his arm blown off when they fired the old cannon . Did n't we have a lively time going for the doctors and getting him home ? '' asked another boy , looking as if he felt defrauded of the most interesting part of the anniversary , because no accident had occurred . `` Ai n't going to be fireworks either , unless somebody 's barn burns up . Do n't I just wish there would , '' gloomily responded another youth who had so rashly indulged in pyrotechnics on a former occasion that a neighbor 's cow had been roasted whole . `` I would n't give two cents for such a slow old place as this . Why , last Fourth at this time , I was rumbling though Boston streets on top of our big car , all in my best toggery .
Hot as pepper , but good fun looking in at the upper windows and hearing the women scream when the old thing waggled round and I made believe I was going to tumble off , said XXXXX , leaning on his bat with the air of a man who had seen the world and felt some natural regret at descending from so lofty a sphere .
Ben Ca Jimmy Kitteridge accident cents day edict pyrotechnics tumult