LOOK AT HOME. ANON. [To be given in a natural, colloquial manner.] "Ned, I'm ashamed of you," said Silver, the white cow. "Really, with that clog on your leg, I wonder you attempt to mix with respectable people." "Your servant, ma'am," answered the donkey "I don't see that I am to be blamed for it, seeing that I did not put it on myself." "No, you were not likely to do that; but if you hadn't taken to opening the gates with your nose, and wandering off, nobody knows where, so that you never could be found when you were wanted, the master wouldn't have fettered you. You needn't look at me so boldly; its a disgrace, and you ought to be ashamed of it." "I ask your pardon, ma'am," said Neddy, looking steadfastly at the knobs on the ends of Silver's horns; "but I was so taken up with looking at those things which master put on your horns the other day, when you broke down the hedge and tried to toss the dog, that I did not quite hear you. Please to say it again.” But Silver walked another way, and Neddy grazed without further interruption. OBEDIENCE. PHOEBE CARY. [Firmly.] If you're told to do a thing, Do not make a poor excuse, Must be prompt and ready. THE FAIRIES. WILLIAM ALLINGHAM. To be recited in a lively manner, all but the 3d stanza, which should be given sorrowfully.] Up the airy mountain, Trooping all together; And white owl's feather. Down along the rocky shore Some in the reeds Of the black mountain lake, They stole little Bridget When she came down again Her friends were all gone. They took her lightly back Between the night and morrow, They thought that she was fast asleep, They have kept her ever since Deep within the lakes, Watching till she wakes. Up the airy mountain, Trooping all together; And white owl's feather. LITTLE THINGS. ANON. [Recite simply.] Little things and little people have often brought great things to pass. The large world in which we exist is made up of little particles smaller than the sands on the sea shore. The vast sea is composed of small drops of water. The little busy bees, how much honey they gather! Therefore, I am not going to be discouraged because I am so little! A BOY'S DREAM. LILLIPUT LEVEE. [Speak this slowly and deliberately.] Nine grenadiers with bayonets on their guns; s; Nine brown elephants standing in a row; Nine Knickerbocker suits with buttons all complete; Nine pairs of skates with straps for the feet; Nine little drummer boys beating on their drums; Nine fat Aldermen sitting on their thumbs; Nine times running-I dreamt it all plain. With bread and cheese for supper I could dream it all again. THE LITTLE GIRL WHO WOULDN'T EAT ORUSTS. MARY MAPES DODGE. [To be given mysteriously and energetically.] The awfulest times that ever could be In vain they besought her, She couldn't, she shouldn't, And what do you think soon came to pass? Who wouldn't take crusts in the regular way, Sat down to a feast one summer's day; And what did the people that little girl give? TOWSER. ANON. [Simply and distinctly, as if you were relating a story to a comrade.] Last summer our dog Towser was lying in the sun, trying to sleep; but the flies bothered him so that he couldn't, for he had to catch them. By and by a bumble bee lighted on his head, and began to walk about as if the dog was his own. Towser held his head still, and when the bee came close to his nose Towser winked at me, as if he said, "You see what this fellow is doing? He thinks I'm a lily of the valley, which isn't open yet. Just wa't until I blossom and you will see some fun. And then Towser opened his mouth very slowly, so as not to frighten the bee, and the bee went inside Towser's mouth. Then Towser shut his dreamy eyes, and his mouth, too, and began to make a peaceful smile, when the bee stung him, and you never saw a lily of the valley act so in all your life! A GIRL'S DREAM. LILLIPUT LEVEE. [Speak with animation.] Seven little singing birds up in the tree; Seven white lilies with honey bees inside them; Seven round rainbows with clouds to divide them; Seven nice fathers to call little girls "joys;" Seven nice mothers to kiss the little boys; Seven nights running I dreamt it all plain. With bread and jam for supper I could dream it all again! First little girl: THE HAPPY CHILD. A Recitation for two Little Girls. JULIA M. THAYER. [Speak naturally.] When the morning's rosy beams Bees that suck the honeyed flowers, Thro' the long and pleasant hours |