ct is," said the gray cat, "I was springing at a mouse, and
knocked down a dish, and, not knowing exactly what it was, I smelt it,
and it was rather nice, and--"

"You finished it," hinted Growler.

"Well, I believe I should have done so, if that meddlesome cook hadn't
come in. As it was, I left the head."

"The head of what?" said Growler.

"How inquisitive you are!" said the gray cat.

"Nay, but I should like to know," said Growler.

"Well, then, of a certain fine fish that was meant for dinner."

"Then," said Growler, "say what you please; but, now that I've heard the
whole story, I only wonder she did _not_ hang you."

* * * * *

Fill the following blanks with words that will make complete sentences:

Mary -- here, and Susan and Agnes -- coming. They -- delayed on the road.
Mother -- to come with them, but she and father -- obliged to wait till
to-morrow.

Puss said to Growler, "I -- not -- a drop of milk to-day, and -- not -- any
yesterday."

I -- my work well now. Yesterday I -- it fairly well. To-morrow I shall
-- it perfectly.

The boys -- their best, though they -- the game.

John--now the boys he -- last week. He -- not -- them before.

NOTE.--Let two pupils read or recite the conversational parts of this
selection, omitting the explanatory matter, while the other pupils
simply listen. If done with expressive feeling and in a perfectly
natural tone, it will prove quite an interesting exercise. To play or
act the story of a selection helps to develop the imagination.

* * * * *

_14_

scared
swerve
gur' gle
rip' ples
cur' rent
mum' bling ly

THE BROOK SONG.

Little brook! Little brook!
You have such a happy look--
Such a very merry manner, as you swerve and curve and crook--
And your ripples, one and one,
Reach each other's hands and run
Like laughing little children in the sun!

Little brook, sing to me;
Sing about the bumblebee
That tumbled from a lily bell and grumbled mumblingly,
Because he wet the film
Of his wings, and had to swim,
While the water bugs raced round and laughed at him.

Little brook--sing a song
Of a leaf that sailed along
Down the golden-hearted center of your current swift and strong,
And a dragon fly that lit
On the tilting rim of it,
And rode