; as,

Where is John going?

An Exclamation Mark (!) is used after words or sentences expressing some
strong feeling; as,

Alas, my noble boy! that thou shouldst die!

The Comma (,), Semicolon (;), and Colon (:) are used to separate the parts
of a sentence.

The Hyphen (-) is used to join the parts of a compound word; as,
text-book: it is also used at the end of a line in print or script, when a
word is divided; as in the word "sentence," near the bottom of page 9.

[Illustration: Bird perched on tree branch.]

MCGUFFEY'S
SECOND READER.

LESSON I.

news'paper cold or'der seem through

stock'ings chat sto'ry light Har'ry

branch'es kiss burns Mrs. e vents'

an oth'er Mr. stool lamp mends

[Illustration: Family at evening; father reading newspaper, mother sewing,
boy and girl reading.]

EVENING AT HOME.

1. It is winter. The cold wind whistles through the branches of the trees.

2. Mr. Brown has done his day's work, and his children, Harry and Kate,
have come home from school. They learned their lessons well to-day, and
both feel happy

3. Tea is over. Mrs. Brown has put the little sitting room in order. The
fire burns brightly. One lamp gives light enough for all. On the stool is
a basket of fine apples. They seem to say, "Won't you have one?"

4. Harry and Kate read a story in a new book. The father reads his
newspaper, and the mother mends Harry's stockings.

5. By and by, they will tell one another what they have been reading
about, and will have a chat over the events of the day.

6. Harry and Kate's bedtime will come first. I think I see them kiss their
dear father and mother a sweet good night.

7. Do you not wish that every boy and girl could have a home like this?

LESSON II.

beau'ti ful porch rain'bow burst

bub'bling same biggest sneeze col'ors

main soap wash red ma'ny (men'y)

[Illustration: Three children playing with bubbles and cat.]

BUBBLES.

1. The boys have come out on the porch to blow bubbles. The old cat is
asleep on the mat by the door.

2. "Ha! ha!" laughs Robert, as a bubble comes down softly on the old cat's
back, and does not burst.

3. Willie tries to make his bubble do the same. This time it comes down on
the cat's face, and makes her sneeze.

4. "She would rather wash her face without soap," says Harry. "Now let us
see who can ma