A pleasant spot ; for a soft rustle filled the air , a brown carpet of pine needles , with fallen cones for a pattern , lay under foot ; and over the tops of the tall brakes that fringed the knoll one had glimpses of hill and valley , farm-houses and winding river , like a silver ribbon through the low , green meadows . `` A regular summer house ! '' said Thorny , surveying it with approval . `` What 's the matter , Randa ? Wo n't it do ? '' he asked , as the stout maid dropped her arms with a puff , after vainly trying to throw the hammock rope over a branch . `` That end went up beautiful , but this one wo n't ; the branches is so high , I ca n't reach 'em ; and I 'm no hand at flinging ropes round . '' `` I 'll fix it ; '' and Ben went up the pine like a squirrel , tied a stout knot , and swung himself down again before Thorny could get out of the chair . `` My patience , what a spry boy ! '' exclaimed Randa , admiringly . `` That 's nothing ; you ought to see me shin up a smooth tent-pole , '' said Ben , rubbing the pitch off his hands , with a boastful wag of the head . `` You can go , Randa . Just hand me my cushion and books , Ben ; then you can sit in the chair while I talk to you , '' commanded Thorny , tumbling into the hammock . `` What 's he goin ' to say to me ? '' wondered Ben to himself , as he sat down with Sanch sprawling among the wheels . `` Now , Ben , I think you 'd better learn a hymn ; I always used to when I was a little chap , and it is a good thing to do Sundays , '' began the new teacher , with a patronizing air , which ruffled his pupil as much as the opprobrious term `` little chap . '' `` I 'll be -- whew -- if I do ! '' whistled Ben , stopping an oath just in time . `` It is not polite to whistle in company , '' said Thorny , with great dignity . `` Miss Celia told me to .
I 'll say ` confound it , ' if you like that better , '' answered XXXXX , as a sly smile twinkled in his eyes .
Ben Celia Randa Sanch Thorny chap farm-houses pitch tent-pole wag