elves side by side on the bank
of the canal and drag their produce to market.

* * * * *

Directions for Reading.--Let pupils practice upon the inflections
marked in the following

Model.--Houses', bridges', churches', and ships', sprouting into
masts', steeples', and trees'.

Which words take the _falling inflection_?

* * * * *

LESSON XL.

whisk'ing, _pulling suddenly and with force_.

lus'ti er, _stronger; louder_.

of fend'ed, _made angry_.

fa mil'iar, _friendly; as of a friend_.

ma'tron ly, _elderly; motherly_.

com mo'tion, _noise; confusion_.

pant'ed, _breathed quickly_.

sa lute', _greeting_.

mute, _silent; unable to speak_.

stur'dy, _strong; powerful_.

ker'chiefs, _pieces of cloth worn about the head_.

a do', _trouble; delay_.

in'mates, _the persons in a house_.

* * * * *

THE WIND IN A FROLIC.

The wind one morning sprung up from sleep,
Saying, "Now for a frolic! Now for a leap!
Now for a madcap galloping chase!
I'll make a commotion in every place!"

So it swept with a bustle right through a great town,
Creaking the signs and scattering down
Shutters, and whisking with merciless squalls,
Old women's bonnets and gingerbread stalls.
There never was heard a much lustier shout,
As the apples and oranges tumbled about.

Then away to the fields it went blustering and humming,
And the cattle all wondered whatever was coming.
It pulled by their tails the grave, matronly cows,
And tossed the colts' manes all about their brows,
Till, offended at such a familiar salute,
They all turned their backs and stood silently mute.

So on it went, capering and playing its pranks;
Whistling with reeds on the broad river banks;
Puffing the birds, as they sat on the spray,
Or the traveler grave on the king's highway.
It was not too nice to hustle the bags
Of the beggar, and flutter his dirty rags.
'Twas so bold that it feared not to play its joke
With the doctor's wig, and the gentleman's cloak.

Through the forest it roared, and cried gayly, "Now
You sturdy old oaks, I'll make you bow!"
And it made them bow without more ado,
Or it cracked their great branches through and through.

Then it rushed like a monster o'er cottage and farm,
Striking their inmates with sudden alarm;
And they ran out like be