CHAPTER VIII MISS CELIA'S MAN

Benwasnottootired,andtheclearing-upbeganthatverynight.Nonetoosoon,forinadayortwothingsarrived,tothegreatdelightofthechildren,whoconsideredmovingamostinterestingplay.Firstcamethephaeton,whichBenspentallhisleisuremomentsinadmiringwonderingwithsecretenvywhathappyboywouldrideinthelittleseatupbehind,andbeguilinghistasksbyplanninghow,whenhegotrich,hewouldpasshistimedrivingaboutinjustsuchanequipage,andinvitingalltheboyshemettohavearide. Thenaloadoffurniturecamecreakinginatthelodgegate,andthegirlshadrapturesoveracottagepiano,severalsmallchairs,andalittlelowtable,whichtheypronouncedjustthethingforthemtoplayat.Thelivestockappearednext,creatingagreatstirintheneighborhood,forpeacockswererarebirdstherethedonkey'sbraystartledthecattleandconvulsedthepeoplewithlaughtertherabbitswerecontinuallygettingouttoburrowinthenewlymadegardenandChevalitascandalizedoldDukebydancingaboutthestablewhichhehadinhabitedforyearsinstatelysolitude. Lastbutbynomeansleast,MissCelia,heryoungbrother,andtwomaidsarrivedoneeveningsolatethatonlyMrs.Mosswentovertohelpthemsettle.Thechildrenweremuchdisappointed,butwereappeasedbyapromisethattheyshouldallgotopaytheirrespectsinthemorning. Theywereupsoearly,andweresoimpatienttobeoff,thatMrs.Mossletthemgowiththewarningthattheywouldfindonlytheservantsastir.Shewasmistaken,however,for,astheprocessionapproached,avoicefromtheporchcalledout,"Good-morninglittleneighbors!"sounexpectedly,thatBabnearlyspiltthenewmilkshecarried,Bettygavesuchastartthatthefresh-laideggsquiteskippedinthedish,andBen'sfacebrokeintoabroadgrinoverthearmfulofcloverwhichhebroughtforthebunnies,ashebobbedhishead,sayingbriskly,— "She'sallright,miss,LitaisandIcanbringheroveranyminuteyousay." "Ishallwantheratfouro'clock.Thornywillbetootiredtodrive,butImusthearfromthepost-office,rainorshine"andMissCelia'sprettycolorbrightenedasshespoke,eitherfromsomehappythoughtorbecauseshewasbashful,forthehonestyoungfacesbeforeherplainlyshowedtheiradmirationofthewhite-gownedladyunderthehoneysuckles. TheappearanceofMiranda,themaid,remindedthechildrenoftheirerrandandhavingdeliveredtheirofferings,theywereabouttoretireinsomeconfusion,whenMissCeliasaidpleasantly,— "Iwanttothankyouforhelpingputthingsinsuchniceorder.Iseesignsofbusyhandsandfeetbothinsidethehouseandallaboutthegrounds,andIamverymuchobliged." "Irakedthebeds,"saidBen,proudlyeyingtheneatovalsand