`` Then I 'll teach you some day . There is sweet flag and poisonous flag , and all sorts of berries and things ; and you 'd better look out when you are in the woods , or you 'll touch ivy and dogwood , and have a horrid time , if you do n't know your botany . '' `` Thorny learned much of his by sad experience ; and you will be wise to take his advice , '' said Miss Celia , recalling her brother 's various mishaps before the new fancy came on . `` Did n't I have a time of it , though , when I had to go round for a week with plantain leaves and cream stuck all over my face ! Just picked some pretty red dogwood , Ben ; and then I was a regular guy , with a face like a lobster , and my eyes swelled out of sight . Come along , and learn right away , and never get into scrapes like most fellows . '' Impressed by this warning , and attracted by Thorny 's enthusiasm , Ben cast himself down upon the blanket , and for an hour the two heads bobbed to and fro , from microscope to book , the teacher airing his small knowledge , the pupil more and more interested in the new and curious things he saw or heard , -- though it must be confessed that Ben infinitely preferred to watch ants and bugs , queer little worms and gauzy-winged flies , rather than `` putter '' over plants with long names . He did not dare to say so , however ; but , when Thorny asked him if it was n't capital fun , he dodged cleverly by proposing to hunt up the flowers for his master to study , offering to learn about the dangerous ones , but pleading want of time to investigate this pleasing science very deeply . As Thorny had talked himself hoarse , he was very ready to dismiss his class of one to fish the milk-bottle out of the brook ; and recess was prolonged till next day . But both boys found a new pleasure in the pretty pastime they made of it ; for active Ben ranged the woods and fields with a tin box slung over his shoulder , and feeble Thorny had a little room fitted up for his own use , where he pressed flowers in newspaper books , dried herbs on the walls , had bottles and cups , pans and platters , for his treasures , and made as much litter as he liked . Presently , Ben brought such lively accounts of the green nooks where jacks-in-the-pulpit preached their little sermons ; brooks , beside which grew blue violets and lovely ferns ; rocks , round which danced the columbines like rosy elves , or the trees where birds built , squirrels chattered , and woodchucks burrowed , that Thorny was seized with a desire to go and see these beauties for himself . So Jack was saddled , and went plodding , scrambling , and wandering into all manner of pleasant places , always bringing home a stronger , browner rider than he carried away . This delighted Miss Celia ; and she gladly saw them ramble off together , leaving her time to stitch happily at certain dainty bits of sewing , write voluminous letters , or dream over others quite as long , swinging in her hammock under the lilacs . CHAPTER XIII SOMEBODY RUNS AWAY '' ` School is done , Now we 'll have fun , '' Sung Bab and Betty , slamming down their books as if they never meant to take them up again , when they came home on the last day of June . Tired teacher had dismissed them for eight whole weeks , and gone away to rest ; the little school-house was shut up , lessons were over , spirits rising fast , and vacation had begun . The quiet town seemed suddenly inundated with children , all in such a rampant state that busy mothers wondered how they ever should be able to keep their frisky darlings out of mischief ; thrifty fathers planned how they could bribe the idle hands to pick berries or rake hay ; and the old folks , while wishing the young folks well , secretly blessed the man who invented schools . 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 XXXXX his proxy ; and , sitting on the fence , acted as umpire to his heart 's content .
Ben darlings elves fro mishaps robins school-house weeks woodchucks wrens