off the summer leaves. Pee, dee, dee!"

5. But man feels a burden of care and of grief,
While plucking the cluster and binding the sheaf:
In the summer we faint, in the winter we're chilled,
With ever a void that is yet to be filled.
We take from the ocean, the earth, and the air,
Yet all their rich gifts do not silence our care.

6. "A very small portion sufficient will be,
If sweetened with gratitude. Pee, dee, dee!"

7. But soon there'll be ice weighing down the light bough,
On which thou art flitting so playfully now;
And though there's a vesture well fitted and warm,
Protecting the rest of thy delicate form,
What, then, wilt thou do with thy little bare feet,
To save them from pain, mid the frost and the sleet?

8. "I can draw them right up in my feathers, you see,
To warm them, and fly away. Pee, dee, dee!"

9. I thank thee, bright monitor; what thou hast taught
Will oft be the theme of the happiest thought;
We look at the clouds; while the birds have an eye
To Him who reigns over them, changeless and high.
And now little hero, just tell me thy name,
That I may be sure whence my oracle came.

10. "Because, in all weather, I'm merry and free,
They call me the Winter King. Pee, dee, dee!"

DEFINITIONS.--l. Mut'ter-ing, murmuring, rumbling. 3. Un-con'scious, not
knowing, not perceiving. 5. Clus'ter, a bunch. 7. Flit'ing, moving about
in a lively manner. Ves'ture, clothing, covering. 9. Mon'i-tor, one who
warns of faults. Or'a-cle, a wise sentence or decision.

XLIV. THE NETTLE. (121)

1. Anna. O papa! I have stung my hand with that nettle.

2. Father. Well, my dear, I am sorry for it; but pull up that large dock
leaf you see near it; now bruise the juice out of it on the part which is
stung. Well, is the pain lessened?

3. A. Oh, very much indeed, I hardly feel it now. But I wish there was not
a nettle in the world. I am sure I do not know what use there can be in
them.

4. F. If you knew anything of botany, Nanny, you would not say so.

5. A. What is botany, papa?

6. F. Botany, my dear, is the knowledge of plants.

7. A. Some plants are very beautiful. If the lily were growing in our
fields, I should not complain. But this ugly nettle! I do not know what
beauty or use there can be in that.

8. F. And yet, Nanny, there is more beauty, use, and instruction in a
nettle, than even in a lily.

9. A. O papa, how can you make that out