we shall get on beautifully. I've been having
a dreadful time, for my over-socks are all holes, and I slip at every
step."

"Keep hold, ma'am, I won't fall. I have rubber boots, and can't tumble."

So chatting, the two went safely across, leaving me and the other girls
to look after them and wish that we had done the little act of kindness,
which now looked so lovely in another.

"I think Katy is a very good girl, don't you?" said one child to the
other.

"Yes, I do; let's wait till she comes back. No matter if we do lose some
coasts," answered the child who had tried to dissuade her playmate from
going to the rescue.

Then I left them; but I think they learned a lesson that day in real
politeness; for, as they watched little Katy dutifully supporting the
old lady, undaunted by the rusty dress, the big bag, the old socks, and
the queer bonnet, both their faces lighted up with new respect and
affection for their playmate.

_Louisa M. Alcott._

From "Little Women." Little, Brown & Co., Publishers.

* * * * *

DISSUADE, to advise against; to turn from a purpose by reasons
given.

ANTIQUATED, grown old; old-fashioned.

Tell what each contraction met with in the selection stands for.

Use _their_ or _there_ properly in place of the blanks in
the following sentences: The girls were on -- way
to the Park. -- was an old lady at the crossing.
Our home is --. Katy and Mary said --
mother lived --.

Memory Gems:

Count that day lost
Whose low descending sun,
Views from thy hands
No worthy action done.

_Author unknown._

What I must do concerns me, not what people will think.

_Emerson_.

[Footnote 001: Copyrighted by Little, Brown & Company.]

* * * * *

_24_

WHAT HOUSE TO LIKE.

For Recitation:

Some love the glow of outward show,
Some love mere wealth and try to win it;
The house to me may lowly be
If I but like the people in it.

What's all the gold that glitters cold,
When linked to hard or haughty feeling?
Whate'er we're told, the noble gold
Is truth of heart and manly dealing.

A lowly roof may give us proof
That lowly flowers are often fairest;
And trees whose bark is hard and dark
May yield us fruit and bloom the rarest.

There's worth as sure 'nea