noon
Goody , goody , wo n't it be fun ! '' With much difficulty their mother got a clear account of the approaching festivity out of the eager mouths , and with still more difficulty , got breakfast into them , for the children had few pleasures , and this brilliant prospect rather turned their heads . Bab and Betty thought the day would never end , and cheered the long hours by expatiating on the pleasures in store for them , till their playmates were much afflicted because they were not going also . At noon their mother kept them from running over to the old house lest they should be in the way ; so they consoled themselves by going to the syringa bush at the corner and sniffing the savory odors which came from the kitchen , where Katy , the cook , was evidently making nice things for tea . Ben worked as if for a wager till four ; then stood over Pat while he curried Lita till her coat shone like satin , then drove her gently down to the coach-house , where he had the satisfaction of harnessing her `` all his own self '' . `` Shall I go round to the great gate and wait for you there , miss ? '' he asked , when all was ready , looking up at the porch , where the young lady stood watching him as she put on her gloves .