.

10. The meat he wanted so much, was soon eaten up; and
all he got of the nice dinner, was a small crust of gingerbread
that Susie threw away.
11. After dinner, Susie played a while by

THIRD READER. 177
the brook. She threw sticks into the water, and Rover swam
in and brought them back. Then she began to pick berries
again.
12. She did not enjoy the afternoon as she did the
morning. The sunshine was as bright, the berries were as
sweet and plentiful, and she was neither tired nor hungry.
13. But good, faithful Rover was hungry, and she had not
given him even one piece of meat. She tried to forget how
selfish she had been; but she could not do so, and quite early
she started for home.
14. When she was nearly out of the woods, a rustling in
the underbrush attracted her attention. "I wonder if that is a
bird or a squirrel," said she to herself. "If I can catch it, how
glad I shall be!"
15. She tried to make her way quietly through the
underbrush; but what was her terror when she saw it large
snake coiled up before her, prepared for a spring!
16. She was so much frightened that she could not move;
but brave Rover saw the snake, and, springing forward,
seized it by the neck and killed it.
17. When the faithful dog came and rubbed his head
against her hand, Susie put her
3, 12.

178 ECLECTIC SERIES.
arms 'round his neck, and burst into tears. "O Rover," she
cried, "you dear, good dog! How sorry I am that I was so
selfish!"
18. Rover understood the tone of her voice, if he did not
understand her words, and capered about in great glee,
barking all the time. You may be sure that he had a plentiful
supper that evening.
19. Susie never forgot the lesson of that day. She soon
learned to be on her guard against a selfish spirit, and
became a happier and more lovable little girl.
Mrs. M. O. Johnson--Adapted.

LESSON LXVIII.
THE VIOLET.

1. Down in a green and shady bed,
A modest violet grew;
Its stalk was bent, it hung its head,
As if to hide from view

THIRD READER. 179

2. And yet it was a lovely flower,
Its colors bright and fair;
It might have graced a rosy bower
Instead of hiding there.

3. Yet there it was content to bloom,
In modest tints arrayed,
And there it spread its sweet perfume,
Within the silent shade.

4. Then let me to the valley go,
This pretty flower to see;
That I may also learn to grow
In sweet humility.
Jane Taylor.

180 ECLECTIC SERIES.
LESSON LXIX.
NO CROWN F