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.

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? Little fairy snow-flakes Dancing in the flue; Old Mr. Santa Claus, What is keeping you? Twilight and firelight, Shadows come and go; Merry chime of sleigh-bells Tinkling through the snow; Mother knitting stockings (Pussy's got the ball!)— Don't you think that winter's Pleasanter than all?

Directions for Reading.—Read the lesson with spirit, and avoid anything like sing-song.

Do not make the last word of each line emphatic, unless it is really an emphatic word.

Language Lesson.—Syllabify, accent, and mark sounds of letters in the following words; Marjorie's, chestnuts, peaches, afternoon.

What part of the year is described in each stanza?

What two words can be used for each of the following: May-time's, summer's.