the student himself or in the rest of the family.

* * * * *

The author does the public a rather bad turn when he suggests to student
speakers that, under stress, they might use what is known as the
"orotund." The orotund quality in public speaking is saved for passages
containing grandeur of thought, when the orator feels the need of a
larger, fuller, more resonant and sounding voice to be in keeping with
the sentiment. Its effect is somewhat that of a chant, and here is how
you do it:

The chest is raised and tensed, the cavities of the mouth and pharynx
are enlarged, more breath is directed into the nasal chambers and the
lips are opened more widely to give free passage to the increased volume
of voice.

The effectiveness of the orotund might be somewhat reduced if the
audience knew the conscious mechanical processes which went to make it
up. Or if, in the Congressional Record, instead of (laughter and
applause) the vocal technique of the orator could be indicated, how few
would be the wars into which impassioned Senators could plunge us! For
example, Mr. Thurston's plea for intervention in Cuba:

"The time for action has come. (Tensing the chest.) No greater reason
for it can exist tomorrow than exists today. (Enlarging the cavities of
the mouth.) Every hour's delay only adds another chapter to the awful
story of misery and death. (Enlarging the cavities of the pharynx.) Only
one power can intervene--the United States of America. (Directing more
breath into the nasal chambers.) Ours is the one great nation of the New
World--the mother of republics. (Elevating the diaphragm.) We cannot
refuse to accept this responsibility which the God of the Universe has
placed upon us as the one great power of the New World. We must act!
(Raising the tongue and thrusting it forward so that the edges of the
blade are pressed against the upper grinders.) What shall our action be?
(Lifting the voice-box very high and the edges of the tongue blade
against the soft palate, leaving only a small central groove for the
passage of air.)"

* * * * *

The aspirate quality, or whisper, is very effective when well handled,
and the book gives a few exercises for practice's sake. Try whispering a
few of them, if you are sure that you are alone in the room. You will
sound very silly if you are overheard.

a. "I can't tell just how it happened; I think the beam fell on me."