"At any rate I'll never go there again!" said Alice as she picked her way through the wood. "It's the stupidest tea party I ever was at in all my life!" Just as she said this, she noticed that one of the trees had a door leading right into it. "That's very curious!" she thought. "But everything's curious to-day. I think I may as well go in at once." And in she went. Once more she found herself in the long hall, and close to the little glass table. "Now, I'll manage better this time," she said to herself, and began by taking the little golden key, and unlocking the door that led into the garden. Then she set to work nibbling at the mushroom (she had kept a piece of it in her pocket) till she was about a foot high: then she walked down the little passage: and then she found herself at last in the beautiful garden, among the bright flower beds and the cool fountains. From "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland." Trea'cle (trê'k'l), molasses; cau'tiously (kô'shus li), guardedly, carefully; tri um'phant ly (tri um'fant li), joyfully because of an advantage gained. STUDY HELPS Why was the Dormouse awakened? What difficult questions did he have to answer in his story? Do you find that Alice is all the time trying to make sense out of what is said? What rude remark did the Hatter make to Alice? Do you think this remark had any sense in it? How did Alice's leaving affect the party? What did Alice say about the party? Can you tell why it seemed so stupid to her? THE SAILOR'S CONSOLATION CHARLES DIBDIN One night came on a hurricane, When Barney Buntline turned his quid, "A strong nor-wester 's blowing, Bill; Hark! don't ye hear it roar now? Lord help 'em, how I pities all "Foolhardy chaps who live in town, For our good luck, in such a storm, "But as for them who're out all day, My eyes! what tiles and chimney pots "And very often have we heard By thieves and fires in London. Then, Bill, let us thank Providence. That you and I are sailors!" Hur'ri cane (hur'ĭ kān), a violent wind storm; quid (kwid), a "chew," as of tobacco; fool' här'dy, foolishly reckless; spous'es, wives; chim'ney pols, earthenware or metal pipes added to the tops of chimneys to increase the draft. STUDY HELPS On what kind of night did Barney make this speech? Study these expressions: (1) "sea was mountains rolling"; (2) "strong nor-wester "; (3) "hear it roar now." What folks does he pity? What kind of "chaps" does he think live in town? Why are they quaking? What dangers does he think threaten the people who work out doors all day? What risk, in his opinion, do all landsmen run? Why has he forgotten the dangers of the sea? THE LESSON OF THE WATER MILL SARAH DOUDNEY Listen to the water mill Through the livelong day, With the water that is past.". Autumn winds revive no more Truly speaks that proverb old, "The mill cannot grind With the water that is past." Take the lesson to thyself, True and loving heart; |