"Which is just the case with mine," said the Hatter.

Alice felt dreadfully puzzled. The Hatter's remark seemed to her to have no sort of meaning in it, and yet it was certainly English.

"I don't quite understand you," she said, as politely as she could.

"The Dormouse is asleep again," said the Hatter, and he poured a little hot tea on its nose.

The Dormouse shook its head impatiently, and said, without opening its eyes, "Of course, of course; just what I was going to remark myself."

"Have you guessed the riddle yet?" the Hatter said, turning to Alice again.

"No, I give it up," Alice replied; "what's the

answer?"

"I haven't the slightest idea," said the Hatter. "Nor I," said the March Hare.

Alice sighed wearily

"I think you might do something better with the time," she said, "than wasting it in asking riddles that have no answers."

From "Alice in Wonderland."

FABLE

BY RALPH WALDO EMERSON

The mountain and the squirrel

Had a quarrel,

And the former called the latter "Little Prig";

Bun replied, "You are doubtless very big;

But all sorts of things and weather,

Must be taken in together,

To make up a year
And a sphere.

And I think it no disgrace
To occupy my place.

If I'm not so large as you,
You are not so small as I,
And not half so spry.

I'll not deny you make

A very pretty squirrel track;

Talents differ; all is well and wisely put;

If I can not carry forests on my back,
Neither can you crack a nut."

WHAT THE OLD MAN DOES IS ALWAYS

RIGHT

BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN

I

I will tell you a story that was told to me when I was a little boy. Every time I think of this story it seems to me more and more pleasing, for it is with some stories as it is with many people-they become better as they grow older.

If you lived in Denmark you might, by going into almost any country place, see an old farmhouse such as I am about to describe. It has a thatched roof upon which mosses and small wild plants grow; and on the ridge of the gable there is a stork's nest for country people there can not do without storks.

The walls of the house are sloping, and the windows are low, and only one of the latter is made to open. The baking oven sticks out of the wall like a great knob. An elder-tree hangs over the palings; and beneath its branches, at the foot of the palings, is a pool of water, in

which a few ducks are commonly splashing. There is a yard dog, too, who barks at all

comers.

Just such a farm-house as this stood by a country lane; and in it dwelt an old couple, a peasant and his wife. Small as their possessions were, they owned one thing which they could not do without, and that was a horse. The old peasant rode into town upon this horse, and his neighbors often borrowed it of him, and paid for the loan of it by doing some kindness for the old couple.

There came a time, however, when the good man began to think that it would be as well to sell the horse, to exchange it for something which might be more useful to them. But what might this something be?

"You'll know best, father," said the wife. "It is fair-day to-day; so ride into town, and get rid of the horse. Sell him for money, or make a good exchange. I know that whatever you will be right."

do

It was a fine morning and the old man looked forward with pleasure to his ride to the fair and to making a good bargain there.

His wife fastened his neckerchief for him; for she could do that better than he. She also smoothed his hat round and round with the palm