"I will go back to my hole for a short time, to make up my mind," said he. That night the wind blew harder than ever. The old mill shook as if it would surely fall. Grip began to be afraid. It was the first time he had felt any fear. "I don't know," said he, "but that I would better go, too. But I will wait a little while." Then the wind blew harder and harder. Grip started to leave the mill. Before he could get out, down it came with a great crash. The next day some men came to look at the fallen mill. They thought it strange to see no rats. But at last, as one man moved a great pile of boards, he saw a young rat, quite dead. He was half in, and half out of his hole. It seemed as if he had not quite made up his mind whether to stay in or go out. Don't you think Grip ought to have made up his mind more quickly? LANGUAGE LESSON. What did the old rats make up their minds to do? Why did not Grip go with them? What made the old mill fall? Where did the men find Grip? What ought Grip to have done? SLATE EXERCISE. Let pupils rule their slates into squares to correspond to the diagram below, and then reproduce the drawing. THE QUEER LITTLE HOUSE. There's a queer little house, and it stands in the sun. When the good mother calls, the children all run. While under her roof, they are cozy and warm, Though the cold wind may whistle and bluster and storm. In the daytime, this queer little house moves away, And the children run after it, happy and gay; But it comes back at night, and the children are fed And tucked up to sleep in a soft feather bed. This queer little house has no windows nor doors The roof has no shingles, the rooms have no floors No fireplaces, chimneys, nor stoves can you see, Yet the children are cozy and warm as can be. The story of this funny house is all true; I have seen it myself, and I think you have, too. You can see it to-day, if you watch the old hen When her downy wings cover her chickens again. |