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Directions for Reading.—­Read this lesson in a conversational tone of voice, and somewhat more slowly than Lesson III.

Read what is said by each one of the four different persons, as you think each one of them would speak.

How would you read the third and fourth paragraphs?—­the last paragraph?

Point out the emphatic words in the last paragraph.

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Language Lesson.—­Syllabify, accent, and mark sounds of letters in the following words:  Persian, therefore, valuable, account, jewels, aware, contained, dishonest, duty, enemy.

Let pupils use other words, to express the following: 

     To go on his way in peace.  Return good for evil.

Tell the story in your own words, using the points in the following

Analysis.—­1.  The father divides his goods. 2.  What he said to his sons. 3.  What the eldest son did. 4.  What the second son did. 5.  What the third son did. 6.  What the father said.

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LESSON XII.

a new’, over again.

al’ma nac, a book giving days, weeks, and months of the year.

rus’tling, shaking with a gentle sound.

scents, smells.

drow’sy, sleepy; making sleepy.

larch, a kind of tree.

flue, an opening for air or smoke to pass through.

haunt’ing, staying in; returning often.

mur’mur, a low sound.

fra’ grant, sweet smelling.

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MARJORIE’S ALMANAC.

  Robins in the tree-top,
    Blossoms in the grass,
  Green things a-growing
    Every-where you pass;
  Sudden fragrant breezes,
    Showers of silver dew,
  Black bough and bent twig
    Budding out anew;
  Pine-tree and willow-tree,
    Fringed elm and larch,—­
  Don’t you think that May-time’s
    Pleasanter than March?

  Apples in the orchard
    Mellowing one by one;
  Strawberries upturning
    Soft cheeks to the sun;
  Roses faint with sweetness,
    Lilies fair of face,
  Drowsy scents and murmurs
    Haunting every place;
  Lengths of golden sunshine,
    Moonlight bright as day,—­
  Don’t you think that summer’s
    Pleasanter than May?

  Roger in the corn-patch
    Whistling negro songs;
  Pussy by the hearth-side
    Romping with the tongs;
  Chestnuts in the ashes
    Bursting through the rind;
  Red leaf and gold leaf
    Rustling down the wind;
  Mother “doin’ peaches”
    All the afternoon,—­
  Don’t you think that autumn’s
    Pleasanter than June?