TO THE TEACHER.

This book is a continuation of "Evenings with Grandma," Part I, and the suggestions given for teachers in that volume hold good in this.

Phonic practice is called for throughout the book, and matter for phonic review may be found by turning to page 370. In these exercises the teacher should insist on a clear enunciation and a distinct sounding of final consonants on the part of the pupil. The pitch pipe should be used in these exercises, as explained on page 370, as this makes for improved tone production.

Whether the music that is given in the following pages be taken up by note or by rote, the lessons should come regularly in the order in which they are presented. Particular attention must be paid to two points: tone production and enunciation. Properly conducted, these musical exercises are very helpful in developing a good reading voice.

A list of words liable to be mispronounced is given on page 376. These words should be practised by the pupil until the correct pronunciation becomes the natural

one.

The work in oral and written English is continued, the pupils, as before, taking their directions from the printed page. The suggestions to the teacher are suggestions only, and they should be modified by teachers as circumstances require.

It is not intended that all the work suggested for pupils at the end of any Evening should be finished in one lesson.

When the class shows a weakness in carrying out any of the work, that particular work should be reviewed until the class can do it correctly.

As to the reading: This series is based on the belief that thought and language are twin products, and that the teacher must deal with both in order to deal effectively with either. The teacher should remember that in order to make any vocabulary a working vocabulary, there must be much oral composition on the part of the pupils, with close attention and kindly criticism on the part of the teacher.

New York City, February, 1912.

J. W. D.

CHAPTER I

Ting-a-ling-a-ling-a-ling-aling-a-ling-a-ling-a-ling! Br-rr-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-up! went

the alarm clock in Ben's bed

room on the first Saturday in

April. This was the day on which some of the boys in Ben's class in school had arranged to meet him to play marbles.

Up jumped Ben. Putting on his slippers, which lay at the side of the bed, he ran to the window and drew the curtains.

Swish! came the rain against the window pane. And how the wind did blow! As Ben looked out, he could see the oaks, the elms, and the maples nearby bending before the wind as if they would break. It was gusty and rainy: March and April in

one.

66

'Well," said Ben, as he

watched the rain pour down, "no marbles to-day. None of the fellows will be out, so I will stay in, too.

Maybe a letter will come from Grandma. That would make the day brighter. At any rate, I can finish my new book."

Off went Ben to take his bath. Soon after that, he was dressed, and down to breakfast with his father and his mother.

you

66

Well, Ben," said his father,

like your new book?"

"how do

"Do you mean the one Mother gave me, or the one you gave me, Father?"

"Ladies first, Ben. Tell me about the one your Mother gave you."

"That is Franklin Matthews'' Back to Hampton Roads.' It's a bully book, Dad.'

"Can't you find a better word than bully, Ben? A gentleman is known by the language he uses, as well as by the company he keeps. Bully is a slang word, and slang should not be used, either by gentlemen or ladies."

"We boys use bully for everything, Dad. But if you say not to use it, of course I will not."

"All right, my son. What other word will tell what you think about Matthews' book?"

"I don't know any one word, Dad. It is a book that makes you feel proud and glad that you are an American. It tells all about our fleet, when it was coming back from its