here is
an open door near by, though we cannot see it in the picture. It was
through this open doorway that the mother hen and her chicks strayed
into the house. Probably the artist sat in the doorway as she painted.

=Questions to help the pupil understand the picture.= What is the
little boy doing? What makes you think he has just scattered corn for
the chickens? How many chickens have found the grain? What are the
other two chickens doing? How does the mother hen care for her
chickens? What do you see standing beside the mother and child? Who is
sleeping in the cradle? What are the straps for? the shade? Why do you
think it must have been a hot day? What hangs under the shelf? What do
you see on the shelf? What is on the stand? Why is the old hen not
afraid of the mother and child? In what way are the two mothers alike?
From which direction does the light seem to come?

=The story of the artist.= We know very little about the artist, Mrs.
Elizabeth Gardner Bouguereau, except that she is an American who has
spent most of her life in France. She studied in Paris for many years
and was a pupil of the great artist Bouguereau, whom she married. Her
pictures have been exhibited many times in this country and abroad.
Among her best-known works, besides the "Two Mothers and Their
Families," are "Cinderella," "Fortune Teller," "Maud Muller,"
"Cornelia and Her Jewels," and "Corinne." She has also painted a
number of portraits. Many of her pictures are of children. She is
still living in Paris, France.

=Questions about the artist.= Who painted this picture? Where was the
artist born? Where did she study and whom did she marry? Where do you
think she must have been sitting when she painted the picture? Name
two of her best-known pictures.

CAN'T YOU TALK?

=Artist:= G. A. Holmes (h[=o]mz).
=Birthplace:= England.
=Dates:= Unknown.

=Questions to arouse interest.= What do you see in this picture? Where
are they? Why is the stone floor not too cold for the baby? What time
of day do you think it is? why? What do you suppose the baby has been
doing? What makes you think the big dog loves the baby? What is the
little kitten doing? What do you see on the stone bench? Do you like
the picture? why?

=The story of the picture.= It must have been a warm summer day when
this little baby slipped out of her bed, crept across the room to the
door, and out on the cool stone porch.

It may have been a Monday mo