bought anything, and the poor old soul stood blinking at the door as if reluctant to go into the bitter storm again. She turned presently and poked about the room as if trying to find something; and then a pale lady in black, who lay as if asleep on a sofa, opened her eyes, saw the old woman, and instantly asked in a kind tone, "Have you lost anything, ma'am?" "No, dear, I'm looking for the heatin' place to have a warm 'fore I go out again. My eyes are poor, and I don't seem to find the furnace." "Here it is"; and the lady led her to the steam radiator, placed a chair, and showed her how to warm her feet. "Well, now, isn't that nice!" said the old woman, spreading her ragged mittens to dry. "Thank you, dear; this is comfortable, isn't it? I'm most froze to-day; bein' lame and not selling much makes me kind of downhearted." The lady smiled, went to the counter, bought a cup of tea and some sort of food, carried it herself to the old woman, and said as respectfully and kindly as if the poor woman had been dressed in silk and fur, "Won't you have a cup of hot tea? It's very comforting such a day as this." "Sakes alive! Do they give tea in this depot?" cried the old lady, in a tone of innocent surprise that made a smile go round the room, touching the gloomiest face like a stream of sunshine. "Well, now, this is just lovely," added the old lady, sipping away with a relish. "This does warm my heart." While she refreshed herself, telling her story meanwhile, the lady looked over the poor little wares in the basket, bought soap and pins, shoestrings and tape, and cheered the old soul by paying well for them. As I watched her doing this, I thought what a sweet face she had, though I'd considered her rather plain before. I felt dreadfully ashamed of myself that I had grimly shaken my head when the basket was offered to me; and as I saw the look of interest, sympathy, and kindness come into the dismal faces all around me, I did wish that I had been the magician to call it out. It was only a kind word and a friendly act, but somehow it brightened that dingy room wonderfully. It changed the faces of a dozen women, and I think it touched a dozen hearts, for I saw many eyes follow the plain, pale lady with sudden respect; and when the old woman got up to go, several persons beckoned to her and bought something, as if they wanted to repair their first negligence. Louisa M. Alcott. NOTES 1. Louisa M. Alcott was a much loved novelist and juvenile writer. She was born at Germantown, Pennsylvania, November 29, 1832. She was for some time a teacher in the little school at the Alcott home in Concord, Massachusetts. She began her literary career by writing short stories for literary journals. During the Civil War she volunteered as an army nurse. From this experience she wrote "Hospital Sketches." "Little Women, "An OldFashioned Girl," "Little Men," and "Jo's Boys," are among her books most widely read. She died, after a useful career, March 6, 1888. In her last days she suffered severely, but to the last she remained hopeful, full of faith in human nature, and firmly believing in democracy and freedom. 2. Palsy. A disease in which control of certain muscles is lost and these muscles shake involuntarily at intervals. 3. Magician. One who does things apparently in defiance of natural law. The changing of the gloomy faces to kind, sympathetic ones is spoken of as a trick in magic. 4. Be prepared to give the meanings of the following words and expressions: impatiently, unamiable, uninteresting, forlorn, reluctant, downhearted, respectfully, refreshed, dismal, beckoned, negligence. EXERCISES 1. Under what circumstances did this incident occur? 2. Why does Miss Alcott speak of this as "a sermon preached the way I like"? 3. Describe the old woman. 4. Explain "Nobody bought anything." 5. What is shown at first of the pale lady in black? 6. What made the old woman so downhearted? 7. What further kindness did the pale lady in black show? 8. Explain the cause of the smile that went round the room at the old woman's question. 9. Why did the pale lady now purchase some trinkets? shown all this kindness? 10. How had the writer at first treated the old woman? 11. What wish came to her now and why? Why had she 12. Explain the changes that took place in the room and in the faces. 13. Why did several others now want to purchase something of the old woman? 14. What feeling filled the heart of the writer for a week after? 15. Why is such a sermon so long remembered? ADDITIONAL READINGS HAWTHORNE: The Great Stone Face. BEDE: A Sermon for Any Day. STAHL: How the Crickets Brought Good Fortune. WHITTIER: The Prayer Seeker. MASON: The Voyage. ALCOTT: Little Men, Little Women. WE THOR AND THE GIANTS E read the myths of the Norse gods with keen interest when we discover that each story explains some truth. The adventures of Thor, the great Norse god, are filled with interesting incidents. Thor, the thunderer, oldest son of the great god Odin,' was the strongest of gods and men, and possessed three precious things. The first was a hammer which had split many a skull of the mountain giants, and which returned to his hand when thrown. The second rare possession was his belt of strength which, when girded about him, doubles his divine might. The third was his iron gloves, which he puts on in order to wield his hammer more effectively. I am the God Thor, -Longfellow. On one occasion, Thor and two companions met a great mountain giant in the forest. Thor tried three times to kill the giant with his great 1 Pronounced tôr. 2 Pronounced ō'din. hammer, but the giant Skrymir1 remained unhurt. After a series of thrilling adventures they arrived in King Utgard's palace in the giants' country. The great king looked upon them with contempt because of their weakness, but permitted each to perform a feat to prove himself worthy. Each of the companions of Thor in turn failed miserably. It was now the turn of the great god Thor. All eyes were fastened eagerly upon him as the king asked by what wonderful feat he wished to distinguish himself. The following gives Thor's answer, the trial, and the result: THOR AND THE GIANTS ACT I. THE PALACE OF KING UTGARD. THE GUEST HALL. GIANTS IN BACKGROUND. THOR RISES TO SPEAK THOR (not wishing to try any great feat in such unworthy company). I will try a drinking-match with any of you. KING UTGARD. Well said. Be seated all. (To servant.) Bring me the guest-horn. (Hands horn to Thor.) There! we call it well drunk if a person empties it at a single draft. Some, indeed, take two to it; but the very weakest can manage it in three. THOR (looking at horn). Not so large, after all! (Takes long draft.) 1 Pronounced skrê'mer. 2 Pronounced it'gärd. |