Jane, his two little
grandchildren.

4. They were too young to work, except to weed in the garden, or bring
water from the spring.

5. In winter, as they were too poor to buy much wood or coal, they had
little fire; so they used to sit close together to keep warm. Mary would
sit on one of the old man's knees, and Jane on the other.

6. Sometimes their grandfather would tell them a droll story. Sometimes he
would teach them a hymn.

7. He would often talk to them of their father, who had gone to sea, or of
their good, kind mother, who was in her grave. Every night he prayed God
to bless them, and to bring back their father in safety.

8. The old man grew weaker every year; but the little girls were glad to
work for him, who had been so good to them.

[Illustration: Girls and grandfather greeting father at door.]

9. One cold, windy night, they heard a knock at the door. The little girls
ran and opened it. Oh, joy to them! There stood their father.

10. He had been at sea a long time. He had saved some money, and had now
come home to stay.

11. After this the old man did not have to work. His son worked for him,
and his grandchildren took care of him. Many happy days they spent
together.

LESSON LVII.

hoe grave knock ex cept'

droll hymn prayed cot'tage

THE GREEDY GIRL.

1. Laura English is a greedy little girl. Indeed, she is quite a glutton.
Do you know what a glutton is? A glutton is one who eats too much, because
the food tastes well.

2. Laura's mother is always willing she should have as much to eat as is
good for her; but sometimes, when her mother is not watching, she eats so
much that it makes her sick.

3. I do not know why she is so silly. Her kitten never eats more than it
needs. It leaves the nice bones on the plate, and lies down to sleep when
it has eaten enough.

4. The bee is wiser than Laura. It flies all day among the flowers to
gather honey, and might eat the whole time if it pleased. But it eats just
enough, and carries all the rest to its hive.

[Illustration: Heavy girl eating two apples. Plate on floor with food
scraps. Cat lying on footstool.]

5. The squirrel eats a few nuts or acorns, and frisks about as gayly as if
he had dined at the king's table.

6. Did you ever see a squirrel with a nut in his paws? How bright and
lively he looks as he eats it!

7. If he lived in a house made of acorns, he would never need a doctor. He
would not