ned out in spite of anything Allan could say, but as it was
they were obliged to put up with him.

When Tom went in, his first action was to put himself out, amid the
hootings of fury and amusement of the rest of the party. Even Allan was
getting cross with him.

When the other side went in again, Tom made more effort to follow the
game and catch the ball; but he knew nothing of cricket, and was wearing
his ordinary walking-boots. The grass was dry and slippery, and Tom was
clumsy. He was chasing the ball, and thought he should really succeed in
catching it this time, when his foot slipped and he fell heavily on the
grass. He had broken his leg!

The boys who had laughed before were now full of sympathy. He was at
once taken into the house and the doctor sent for. What poor Tom
suffered for the rest of that day and all the night, only those who have
broken a leg can tell, and added to his pain was the feeling that he had
shown all Allan's friends what a boastful fellow he was.

[Illustration: Pride Goes Before A Fall.]

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THE SWALLOWS' SONG.

"Tweet! tweet! tweet!" the swallows say,
"It is time we flew away
Far across the pathless sea,
For it winter soon will be!
Then will fall the rustling leaves,
And our nests beneath the eaves
Will be very damp and chill,
While the fogs our playgrounds fill."
"Tweet! tweet! tweet!" the swallows say,
"It is time we flew away!"

"Tweet! tweet! tweet!" the swallows cry,
As they circle far on high,
Gathering thickly overhead
Now that summer days have fled.
"See!" they say, "the flow'rets fair
Now are drooping ev'rywhere,
And no more the scented breeze
Roves amid the leafy trees!"
"Tweet! tweet! tweet!" the swallows say,
"It is time we flew away!"

"Tweet! tweet! tweet!" Alas! we hear
All you utter, swallows dear!
And, if it indeed must be,
Take your flight across the sea
But do not your friends forget,
They who lose you with regret,
And to us all swiftly wing
When appear the flowers of Spring!
"Tweet! tweet! tweet!" the swallows say,
"We will come again in May!"

E. Oxenford.

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HIS FIRST KNIFE AND FORK.

Stevie could hardly believe his eyes. But it was true, quite true, all
the same for that, and he opened his blue eyes wider and wider till
mo