or use in uttering any difficult combination
of words. And your teacher will patiently "pick you up" (_in this first
study_) every time you trip over a word or phrase, and she will
patiently refer you to the corner of history which will explain any
unfamiliar portions of your text if _you_ will persistently try to do
_your_ part at this point. That part is, to think the thought before you
directly at another's mind. That is all we ask at this point. Make this
direct appeal for simplicity in delivery straight to the mind of him
whom you have chosen to receive, and act upon it. Talk to me if I am
your chosen player! Convince me! Make me realize what you expect of me!
Make me want to meet your expectation! Make me afraid to fail you!

With these suggestions and this direct appeal to you, I leave you with
your teacher and with the following material chosen for your preliminary
study in _Vocal Interpretation_.

SELECTIONS FOR INTERPRETATION

There was once a noble ship full of eager passengers, straining at
full speed from England to America. Two-thirds of a prosperous
voyage thus far were over, and in our mess we were beginning to
talk of home.

Suddenly a dense fog came, shrouding the horizon, but, as this was
a common occurrence in the latitude we were sailing, it was hardly
mentioned in our talk. A happier company never sailed upon an
autumn sea. When a quick cry from the lookout, a rush of officers
and men, and we were grinding on a ledge of rocks off Cape Race. I
heard the cry, "Every one on deck!" and knew what that meant--the
masts were in danger of falling. A hundred pallid faces were
huddled together near the stern of the ship where we were told to
go and wait.

Suddenly we heard a voice up in the fog in the direction of the
wheel-house ringing like a clarion above the roar of the waves. As
the orders came distinctly and deliberately through the captain's
trumpet to "Shift the cargo," to "Back her," to "Keep her steady,"
we felt, somehow, that the commander up there in the thick mist
knew what he was about.

When, after weary days of anxious suspense, the vessel leaking
badly, we arrived safely in Halifax, old Mr. Cunard, agent of the
line, on hearing from the mail officer that the steamer had struck
on the rocks and been saved by the captain's presence of mind and
courage, replied, simpl