`` We sha 'n' t want these much when all the new things come ; see if we do , '' said cheerful little Betty , who always found out a silver lining to every cloud . CHAPTER VIII MISS CELIA 'S MAN Ben was not too tired , and the clearing-up began that very night . None too soon , for in a day or two things arrived , to the great delight of the children , who considered moving a most interesting play . First came the phaeton , which Ben spent all his leisure moments in admiring ; wondering with secret envy what happy boy would ride in the little seat up behind , and beguiling his tasks by planning how , when he got rich , he would pass his time driving about in just such an equipage , and inviting all the boys he met to have a ride . Then a load of furniture came creaking in at the lodge gate , and the girls had raptures over a cottage piano , several small chairs , and a little low table , which they pronounced just the thing for them to play at . The live stock appeared next , creating a great stir in the neighborhood , for peacocks were rare birds there ; the donkey 's bray startled the cattle and convulsed the people with laughter ; the rabbits were continually getting out to burrow in the newly made garden ; and Chevalita scandalized old Duke by dancing about the stable which he had inhabited for years in stately solitude . Last but by no means least , Miss Celia , her young brother , and two maids arrived one evening so late that only Mrs. Moss went over to help them settle . The children were much disappointed , but were appeased by a promise that they should all go to pay their respects in the morning . They were up so early , and were so impatient to be off , that Mrs. Moss let them go with the warning that they would find only the servants astir . She was mistaken , however , for , as the procession approached , a voice from the porch called out , `` Good-morning little neighbors ! '' so unexpectedly , that Bab nearly spilt the new milk she carried , Betty gave such a start that the fresh-laid eggs quite skipped in the dish , and Ben 's face broke into a broad grin over the armful of clover which he brought for the bunnies , as he bobbed his head , saying briskly , -- `` She 's all right , miss , Lita is ; and I can bring her over any minute you say . '' `` I shall want her at four o'clock . Thorny will be too tired to drive , but I must hear from the post-office , rain or shine ; '' and Miss Celia 's pretty color brightened as she spoke , either from some happy thought or because she was bashful , for the honest young faces before her plainly showed their admiration of the white-gowned lady under the honeysuckles . The appearance of Miranda , the maid , reminded the children of their errand ; and having delivered their offerings , they were about to retire in some confusion , when Miss Celia said pleasantly , -- `` I want to thank you for helping put things in such nice order . I see signs of busy hands and feet both inside the house and all about the grounds , and I am very much obliged . '' `` I raked the beds , '' said Ben , proudly eying the neat ovals and circles . `` I swept all the paths , '' added Bab , with a reproachful glance at several green sprigs fallen from the load of clover on the smooth walk . `` I cleared up the porch , '' and Betty 's clean pinafore rose and fell with a long sigh , as she surveyed the late summer residence of her exiled family . Miss Celia guessed the meaning of that sigh , and made haste to turn it into a smile by asking anxiously , -- `` What has become of the playthings ? I do n't see them anywhere . ''
`` Ma said you would n't want our duds round , so we took them all home , '' answered XXXXX , with a wistful face .
Ben Betty Chevalita Duke First Lita bray bunnies evening sprigs