I saw it at the harness shop in town; and Ben admired it so much that I planned to give it to him on his birthday." "That will tickle him immensely; and if you'd just let him put brown tops to my old boots, and stick a cockade in his hat when he sits up behind the phaeton, he'd be a happy fellow," laughed Thorny, who had discovered that one of Ben's ambitions was to be a tip-top groom.
"No, thank you; those things are out of place in America, and would be absurd in a small country place like this.

His blue suit and straw hat please me better for a boy; though a nicer little groom, in livery or out, no one could desire, and you may tell him I said so." "I will, and he'll look as proud as punch; for he thinks every word you say worth a dozen from any one else.

But won't you give him something?
Just some little trifle, to show that we are both eating humble pie, feeling sorry about the mouse money." "I shall give him a set of school-books, and try to get him ready to begin when vacation is over.

An education is the best present we can make him; and I want you to help me fit him to enter as well is he can.
Bab and Betty began, little dears,--lent him their books and taught all they knew; so Ben got a taste, and, with the right encouragement, would like to go on, I am sure." "That's so like you Celia! Always thinking of the best thing and doing it handsomely.

I'll help like a house a-fire, if he will let me; but, all day, he's been as stiff as a poker, so I don't believe he forgives me a bit." "He will in time, and if you are kind and patient, he will be glad to have you help him.