ar_.

rus'tling, _shaking with a gentle sound_.

scents, _smells_.

drow'sy, _sleepy; making sleepy_.

larch, _a kind of tree_.

flue, _an opening for air or smoke to pass through_.

haunt'ing, _staying in; returning often_.

mur'mur, _a low sound_.

fra' grant, _sweet smelling_.

* * * * *

MARJORIE'S ALMANAC.

Robins in the tree-top,
Blossoms in the grass,
Green things a-growing
Every-where you pass;
Sudden fragrant breezes,
Showers of silver dew,
Black bough and bent twig
Budding out anew;
Pine-tree and willow-tree,
Fringed elm and larch,--
Don't you think that May-time's
Pleasanter than March?

Apples in the orchard
Mellowing one by one;
Strawberries upturning
Soft cheeks to the sun;
Roses faint with sweetness,
Lilies fair of face,
Drowsy scents and murmurs
Haunting every place;
Lengths of golden sunshine,
Moonlight bright as day,--
Don't you think that summer's
Pleasanter than May?

Roger in the corn-patch
Whistling negro songs;
Pussy by the hearth-side
Romping with the tongs;
Chestnuts in the ashes
Bursting through the rind;
Red leaf and gold leaf
Rustling down the wind;
Mother "doin' peaches"
All the afternoon,--
Don't you think that autumn's
Pleasanter than June?

Little fairy snow-flakes
Dancing in the flue;
Old Mr. Santa Claus,
What is keeping you?
Twilight and firelight,
Shadows come and go;
Merry chime of sleigh-bells
Tinkling through the snow;
Mother knitting stockings
(Pussy's got the ball!)--
Don't you think that winter's
Pleasanter than all?

* * * * *

Directions for Reading.--Read the lesson with spirit, and avoid
anything like sing-song.

Do not make the last word of each line _emphatic_, unless it is really
an _emphatic word_.

* * * * *

Language Lesson.--Syllabify, accent, and mark sounds of letters in the
following words; _Marjorie's, chestnuts, peaches, afternoon_.

What part of the year is described in each stanza?

What two words can be used for each of the following: _May-time's,
summer's_.

* * * * *

LESSON XIII.

col'o ny, _a number of people living together in one place_.

set'tlers, _those people who form a colony_.

shy, _easily frighte