oungest boy climbed on
his back, hid his head in the shaggy fur, and played at "hide and seek."

8. The eldest boy took his drum and began to strike it, when the bear rose
on his hind legs and danced. At that the children gave a merry shout.

9. The two younger boys took their wooden guns, and gave the bear one.
Away they all marched around the room, keeping step.

10. Now the frightened mother of the children came to the door. But the
youngest boy shouted, joyfully. "See, we are playing soldiers!"

11. Then the bear's master came running up, and took the bear away.

LESSON XL.

fair la'dy drear cling'ing hare'bell

fled ne'er de spair' nod'ding bloom'ing

[Footnote: harebell: Perennial with slender stems, dense clusters of
leaves, and bell-shaped blue or white flowers -- bluebell.]

THE LITTLE HAREBELL.

"Tell me, little harebell,
Are you lonely here.
Blooming in the shadow
On this rock so drear?"

"Clinging to this bit of earth,
As if in mid-air,
With your sweet face turned to me,
Looking strangely fair?"

"Lady" said the harebell,
Nodding low its head,
"Though this spot seem dreary,
Thought the sunlight's fled.

"Know that I'm not lonely
That I ne'er despair.
God is in the shadow
God is everywhere."

[Illustration: Flowers on hillside.]

LESSON XLI.

rough (ruf) of'ten (of'n) be neath' fierce'ly

sea'side twen'ty tim'id ly com pels'

rob'ber breast spots mode

os'prey hook'ed

[Illustration: Osprey catching fish.]

THE FISHHAWK.

1. The fishhawk, or osprey, is not so large as the eagle; but he has, like
the eagle, a hooked bill and sharp claws.

2. His color is a dark brown, with black and white spots, and his length
is from twenty to twenty-two inches. His breast is mostly white. His tail
and wings are long.

3. The fishhawk is often found sitting upon a tree over a pond, or lake,
or river. He is also found by the seaside.

4. He watches the fish as they swim in the water beneath him; then he
darts down suddenly and catches one of them.

5. When he catches a fish in his sharp, rough claws, he carries it off to
eat, and, as he flies away with it for his dinner, an eagle sometimes
meets him.

6. The eagle flies at him fiercely with his sharp bill and claws, and
compels the hawk to drop the fish.

7. Then the eagle catches the fish as it falls, before it reac