"I don't know," was all the young rat said. Then he walked off with slow steps, to think for an hour whether he would stay at home in the hole, or go about in the mill. One day there was a great noise in the mill. It was an old mill, and the wind blew so hard that it shook badly. By and by, some of the boards began to fall down on the floor, and all the rats were in a great fright. 66 This will not do," said the old rats, and they shook their heads as they spoke. "We must leave this place," said they. So they sent out three or four of the old rats to look for a new home, and in the night they came back. They said they had found an old barn, where there was was plenty of food and room enough for all. "Then it is best to go at once," said the old gray rat, who seemed to be the captain of all the rats. "Form in line!" said he. Then the rats came from their holes, and stood on the floor in a long line. LANGUAGE LESSON. Let pupils give oral answers in complete sentences. What is this story about? Where did the young rat live? Tell the rest of the story in your own words. Let pupils copy, and add ing to these words. be wish jump read do push shout burn try look farm stand call hunt spell swing 66 'Do you all choose to go? Make up your minds at once." 66 "Yes, yes," said all in the line; we all wish to go. It is quite plain that it is not safe to stay here." Just then the captain caught sight of Grip that was the young rat's name. He was not in the line. He was near by on the stairs. rat. 66 66 You did not speak," said the old "Of course you will come ? " "I don't know," said Grip. "Don't know! Why, you do not think it safe to stay here, do you?" said the old rat. "It has always been the rule with rats to quit a falling house, has it not?" "I don't know," said Grip. "The roof may not come down for some time yet." "Well, stay then," said the old rat, "and it will serve you right if you get hurt." "I don't know that I will stay, and I don't know that I will go," said Grip, with a wise look. 66 'O well, we can not wait for you to make up your mind," said the old rat. "Come with us and be safe, or stay where you are and get hurt. Now, rats! Right face! March!" And the long line of rats marched out of the mill. They went down the steps one by one, and the young rat looked on. "I have half a mind to go," said he, "and yet-I don't know. It is warm and snug here, and I shall have the mill all to myself." The tail of the last rat was hardly out of sight as he spoke. Grip went near the steps and looked down. |