soon, Susan?" Her grandmother took the work, and looked at it very closely. 7. "True, Susan," said she, laying great stress on each word; "true, I count twenty turns from the mark; and, as you have never deceived me, you may go and amuse yourself as you like the rest of the day." 8. Susan's cheeks were scarlet, and she did not say, "Thank you." As she left the cottage, she walked slowly away, not singing as usual. 9. "Why, here is Susan!" the girls cried, when she joined their company; "but what is the matter? Why have you left your dear, old grandmother?" they tauntingly added. 10. "There is nothing the matter." As Susan repeated these words, she felt that she was trying to deceive herself. She had acted a lie. At the same time she remembered her grandmother's words, "You have never deceived me.' 99 11. "Yes, I have deceived her," said she to herself. "If she knew all, she would never trust me again." 12. When the little party had reached an open space in the woods, her companions ran about enjoying themselves; but Susan sat on the grass, wishing she were at home confessing her fault. 13. After a while Rose cried out, "Let us make a crown of violets, and put it on the head of the best girl here." 14. "It will be easy enough to make the crown, but not so easy to decide who is to wear it," said Julia. 99 15. "Why, Susan is to wear it, of course,' said Rose: "is she not said to be the best girl in school, and the most obedient at home?" 16. "Yes, yes; the crown shall be for Su " san, cried the other girls, and they began to make the crown. It was soon finished. 17. "Now, Susan," said Rose, "put it on in a very dignified way, for you are to be our queen.' 18. As these words were spoken, the crown was placed on her head. In a moment she snatched it off, and threw it on the ground, saying, "No crown for me; I do not deserve it." 19. The girls looked at her with surprise. "I have deceived my grandmother," said she, while tears flowed down her cheeks. "I altered the mark she put in the stocking, that I might join you in the woods." 20. "Do you call that wicked?" asked one of the girls. "I am quite sure it is; and I have been miserable all the time I have been here." 21. Susan now ran home, and as soon as she got there she said, with a beating heart, "O`grandmother! I deserve to be punished, for I altered the mark you put in the stocking. Do forgive me; I am very sorry and unhappy." 22. "Susan," said her grandmother, "I knew it all the time; but I let you go out, hoping that your own conscience would tell you of your sin. I am sin. I am so glad that so glad that you have confessed your fault and your sorrow." 23. "When shall I be your own little girl again?" "Now," was the quick reply, and Susan's grandmother kissed her forehead. DEFINITIONS.—3. Tire'some, tedious, wearisome. 7. Stress, force, emphasis. 9. Com'pa ny, a number of persons together. Täunt'ing ly, in a disagreeable, reproachful manner. 12. Confess'ing, telling of, acknowledging. Fault, wrongdoing, sin. 17. Dig'ni fied, respectful, stately. 19. Al'tered (al'-), changed. 20. Mig'er a ble, wretched, very unhappy. 23. Forehead (for'ed), the front part of the head above the eyes. LESSON LXX. YOUNG SOLDIERS. 1. Oh, were you ne'er a schoolboy, And feel that swelling of the heart 2. Did you never meet, far down the street, 3. It seems to me but yesterday,. Nor scarce so long ago, Since all our school their muskets took, 4. Our muskets were of cedar wood, With ramrods bright and new; With bayonets forever set, And painted barrels, too. 5. We charged upon a flock of geese, And put them all to flight Except one sturdy gander That thought to show us fight. |