The veins in our hands have blood in them. The veins in the leaf have leaf-blood in them. Leaf-blood is called sap. We cannot live without blood. I've said my "seven times" over and over, I am old; so old I can write a letter. The lambs play always; they know no better They are only one times one. O moon! in the night I have seen you sailing And shining so round and low; You were bright, ah, bright! but your light is failing— You are nothing now but a bow. You, moon, have you done something wrong in heaven, That God has hidden your face? I hope if you have, you will soon be forgiven, And shine again in your place. O velvet bee, you're a dusty fellow; You've powdered your legs with gold! O brave marshmary buds, rich and yellow, Give me your money to hold! O columbine, open your folded wrapper, Where two twin turtle-doves dwell! O cuckoo-pint, toll me the purple clapper, That hangs in your clear, green bell! And show me your nest, with the young ones in it, I will not steal them away; I am old! you may trust me, linnet, linnet, I am seven times one to-day. -JEAN INGELOW. LESSON XVI. THE CAT AND THE MICE. A sly cat lived in a house where there were many mice. The mice were in such fear of her that they called a meeting to see if they could find some way to avoid her. One had one plan; another, another plan. But no plan seemed to suit all. At last one mouse said, "I have the best plan of all. Hang a bell on the cat's neck; then we can hear her when she is near." The mice jumped for joy, and fell at once into the plan. 66 Well," said a wise, old mouse, • We have a good plan. Now who will hang the bell to the cat's neck?" Not a mouse had seemed to think of the danger before. found to do it. Not a mouse could be LESSON XVII. WHO STOLE THE BIRD'S NEST? "To-whit! to-whit! to-whee! Will you listen to me? And the nice nest I made?" "Moo-oo! "Not I," said the cow, " Such a thing I'd never do. I gave you a wisp of hay, But didn't take the nest away. |