Fortunately , neither she nor Betty had much time for play just now , as school was about to close for the long vacation , and all the little people were busy finishing up , that they might go to play with free minds . So the `` lilac-parties , '' as they called them , were deferred till later , and the lads amused themselves in their own way , with Miss Celia to suggest and advise . It took Thorny a long time to arrange his possessions , for he could only direct while Ben unpacked , wondering and admiring as he worked , because he had never seen so many boyish treasures before . The little printing-press was his especial delight , and leaving every thing else in confusion , Thorny taught him its and planned a newspaper on the spot , with Ben for printer , himself for editor , and `` Sister '' for chief contributor , while Bab should be carrier and Betty office-boy . Next came a postage-stamp book , and a rainy day was happily spent in pasting a new collection where each particular one belonged , with copious explanations from Thorny as they went along . Ben did not feel any great interest in this amusement after one trial of it , but when a book containing patterns of the flags of all nations turned up , he was seized with a desire to copy them all , so that the house could be fitly decorated on gala occasions . Finding that it amused her brother , Miss Celia generously opened her piece-drawer and rag-bag , and as the mania grew till her resources were exhausted , she bought bits of gay cambric and many-colored papers , and startled the store-keeper by purchasing several bottles of mucilage at once . Bab and Betty were invited to sew the bright strips of stars , and pricked their little fingers assiduously , finding this sort of needle-work much more attractive than piecing bed-quilts . Such a snipping and pasting , planning and stitching as went on in the big back room , which was given up to them , and such a noble array of banners and petitions as soon decorated its walls , would have caused the dullest eye to brighten with amusement , if not with admiration . Of course , the Stars and Stripes hung highest , with the English lion ramping on the royal standard close by ; then followed a regular picture-gallery , for there was the white elephant of Siam , the splendid peacock of Burmah , the double-headed Russian eagle , and black dragon of China , the winged lion of Venice , and the prancing pair on the red , white , and blue flag of Holland . The keys and mitre of the Papal States were a hard job , but up they went at last , with the yellow crescent of Turkey on one side and the red full moon of Japan on the other ; the pretty blue and white flag of Greece hung below and the cross of free Switzerland above . If materials had held out , the flags of all the United States would have followed ; but paste and patience were exhausted , so the busy workers rested awhile before they `` flung their banner to the breeze , '' as the newspapers have it . A spell of ship-building and rigging followed the flag fit ; for Thorny , feeling too old now for such toys , made over his whole fleet to `` the children , '' condescending , however , to superintend a thorough repairing of the same before he disposed of all but the big man-of-war , which continued to ornament his own room , with all sail set and a little red officer perpetually waving his sword on the quarter-deck . These gifts led to out-of-door water-works , for the brook had to be dammed up , that a shallow ocean might be made , where Ben 's piratical `` Red Rover , '' with the black flag , might chase and capture Bab 's smart frigate , `` Queen , '' while the `` Bounding Betsey , '' laden with lumber , safely sailed from Kennebunkport to Massachusetts Bay . Thorny , from his chair , was chief-engineer , and directed his gang of one how to dig the basin , throw up the embankment , and finally let in the water till the mimic ocean was full ; then regulate the little water-gate , lest it should overflow and wreck the pretty squadron or ships , boats , canoes , and rafts , which soon rode at anchor there . Digging and paddling in mud and water proved such a delightful pastime that the boys kept it up , till a series of water-wheels , little mills and cataracts made the once quiet brook look as if a manufacturing town was about to spring up where hitherto minnows had played in peace and the retiring frog had chanted his serenade unmolested . Miss Celia liked all this , for any thing which would keep Thorny happy out-of-doors in the sweet June weather found favor in her eyes , and when the novelty had worn off from home affairs , she planned a series of exploring expeditions which filled their boyish souls with delight . As none of them knew much about the place , it really was quite exciting to start off on a bright morning with a roll of wraps and cushions , lunch , books , and drawing materials packed into the phaeton , and drive at random about the shady roads and lanes , pausing when and where they liked . Wonderful discoveries were made , pretty places were named , plans were drawn , and all sorts of merry adventures befell the pilgrims . Each day they camped in a new spot , and while Lita nibbled the fresh grass at her ease , Miss Celia sketched under the big umbrella , Thorny read or lounged or slept on his rubber blanket , and Ben made himself generally useful .
Unloading , filling the artist 's water-bottle , piling the invalid 's cushions , setting out the lunch , running to and fro for a Bower or a butterfly , climbing a tree to report the view , reading , chatting , or frolicking with Sancho , -- any sort of duty was in XXXXX 's line , and he did them all well , for an out-of-door life was natural to him and he liked it .
Bay Ben Betty Japan Red Sister Switzerland morning ship-building water-gate