You need not be afraid ; Lita is as gentle as a lamb , '' answered the young lady , smiling , as if amused by the boy 's earnestness . `` She 's a beauty , any way , '' muttered Ben , lifting one foot after another till he found the stone , and with some trouble got it out . `` That was nicely done , and I 'm much obliged . Can you tell me if that cross-road leads to the Elms ? '' asked the lady , as she went slowly on with Ben beside her . `` No , ma'am ; I 'm new in these parts , and I only know where Squire Morris and Mrs. Moss live . '' `` I want to see both of them , so suppose you show me the way . I was here long ago , and thought I should remember how to find the old house with the elm avenue and the big gate , but I do n't . '' `` I know it ; they call that place the Laylocks now , 'cause there 's a hedge of 'em all down the path and front wall . It 's a real pretty place ; Bab and Betty play there , and so do I. '' Ben could not restrain a chuckle at the recollection of his first appearance there , and , as if his merriment or his words interested her , the lady said pleasantly , `` Tell me all about it . Are Bab and Betty your sisters ? '' Quite forgetting his intended tramp , Ben plunged into a copious history of himself and new-made friends , led on by a kind look , an inquiring word , and sympathetic smile , till he had told every thing . At the school-house corner he stopped and said , spreading his arms like a sign-post , -- `` That 's the way to the Laylocks , and this is the way to the Squire 's . '' `` 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 XXXXX , paused at the gate and beckoned with that winning smile of hers .
'cause Bab Betty Chevalita Lita Pat cross-road first peeps wood-pile