"No, miss, I never went to school."
"That is not taught there. I'll bring you a book all about it when I
come back. Mr. Gulliver went to the horse-country and heard the dear
things speak their own tongue."
"My father has been on the prairies where there's lots of wild ones,
but he didn't hear 'em speak. I know what they want without talkin',"
answered Ben, suspecting a joke, but not exactly seeing what it was.
"I don't doubt it, but I wont forget the book. Good-by, my lad, we
shall soon meet again," and away went Miss Celia as if she was in a
hurry to get back.
"If she only had a red habit and a streamin' white feather, she'd look
as fine as Melia used to. She _is_ 'most as kind and rides 'most as
well. Wonder where she's goin' to. Hope she _will_ come soon," thought
Ben, watching till the last flutter of the blue habit vanished round
the corner, and then he went back to his work with his head full of the
promised book, pausing now and then to chink the two silver halves and
the new quarter together in his pocket, wondering what he should buy
with this vast sum.
Bab and Betty meantime had had a most exciting day, for when they went
home at noon they found the pretty lady there, and she had talked to
them like an old friend, given them a ride on the little horse, and
kissed them both good-by when they went back to school.
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