THE WEIGHTS (to the Pendulum). Better swing, you are bested in the argument.

THE PENDULUM. All right! Altogether, ready, here we go. Tick, tock! Tick, tock!

THE DIAL (a sunbeam striking its happy face). Just in time! Here he comes!

THE OLD FARMER (placing his hat on a chair, looks at the clock, then suddenly takes out his watch). Bless me! What can the matter be? My watch has gained half an hour.

1. Assign each part to a pupil adapted to take it, and let the pupils act out this lesson, with such additions and variations as may suggest themselves.

2. Read "The Discontented Fir Tree," and "The Old Clock on the Stairs." Get pictures of the old hall clocks. Observe a jeweler

take a clock to pieces.

3. Be prepared to pronounce, spell, and define: pendulum, countenance, motionless, proceeded, shirking, stoppage, sole, assign, vastly, beseech, disgust, calculating, appeal, fatigue, discouraged, reasoning, hesitation, astonished, suggestion, illustrate, argument, exertion, execute.

EXERCISES

1. What occurred to occasion the Dial's investigation?

2. Why should each member lay the blame on the others?

3. What part of the clock remained silent in response to the question "Then what is the matter?" What did this indicate?

4. What is shown of the Pendulum in its frank confession? Just what is its first confession?

5. How does the Pendulum further attempt to justify itself?

6. What finally disgusted the Pendulum with its work?

7. What argument does the Dial present?

8. What tact in requesting the Pendulum to illustrate the argument? 9. What final revelation "staggered" the Pendulum?

10. When the Pendulum was bested in the argument, what naturally followed for all the parts of the clock?

11. Why did the farmer think his watch had gained?

12. In what way had these quarreling parts interfered with other matters than their own?

13. If the Dial were a person, what kind of person would it be?

14. If the Pendulum were a person, what kind of person would it be?

ADDITIONAL READINGS

LONGFELLOW: The Old Clock on the Stairs.

VAN DYKE: My Work.

GOULD: The Pebble and the Acorn.

COWPER: The Nightingale and the Glow-worm.

MACKAY: Song of Life.

WALTER C. SMITH: The Self-Exiled.

SARA ORNE JEWETT: Discontent.

HANS ANDERSEN: The Discontented Fir Tree, The Ugly Duckling.

TRUE SUCCESS

He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men, and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has not lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given the best he had; whose life has been an inspiration and whose memory is a benediction.- Bessie A. Stanley.

WE

WHICH LOVED BEST?

all like to study people. We see some

who pretend to do great things, but who really do nothing helpful. Others pretend to be helpful and good when they really hinder and annoy. Others say little, but do many kind, helpful acts. Men and women are but children older grown. Boys and girls, when grown, show many of the characteristics of their childhood days. In this poem, three children are shown, and it is an interesting study to discover which one meant exactly what he said. One of the hardest lessons in life is to learn to do exactly what one knows to be right.

WHICH LOVED BEST?

"I love you, mother," said little John;
Then, forgetting his work, his cap went on,
And he was off to the garden swing,
Leaving his mother the wood to bring.

"I love you, mother," said rosy Nell;
"I love you better than tongue can tell";
Then she teased and pouted full half the day,
Till her mother rejoiced when she went to play.

"I love you, mother," said little Fan;
"To-day I'll help you all I can;

How glad I am that school doesn't keep!"
So she rocked the baby till it fell asleep.

Then, stepping softly, she took the broom,
And swept the floor, and dusted the room;
Busy and happy all day was she,
Helpful and cheerful as child could be.

"I love you, mother," again they said —
Three little children going to bed;
How do you think that mother guessed
Which of them really loved her best?

1. What things have you seen children do which tell whether or not they love their mothers?

2. Collect as many incidents as you can showing what mothers are willing to do for their children.

3. Look up the meanings of the following: forgetting, teased, pouted, rejoiced, keep, softly, cheerful, guessed.

EXERCISES

1. What does John tell his mother?

2. Then what does he do?

3. What does this show of his love for his mother?

4. What did Nell tell her mother?

5. What did she do?

6. Is she better or worse than John? Why?

7. How does her declaration of love compare with that of John?

8. What did little Fan tell her mother? 9. What did she do to prove her love? 10. Why was she so happy and cheerful?