small, weak, faint cheep, cheep! cheep! that one could scarcely hear.

4. And then they flew out of the trees and the bushes, and set to work to look for their breakfast.

5. Then a beam came to the rabbit and waked her; and she gave her eyes a rub, and ran out of the wood into the green fields, to eat the fresh grass. And she was glad of the new warmth and the sweet morning air.

6. A third beam came to the hen-house; and the cock rose up and stretched himself, and flapped his wings, and crowed three times.

7. And all the hens shook their wings, rustled their feathers, and flew down from their perch. Then they ran out into the yard to look for some grains or worms to eat.

8. Next came a beam to the bee-hive; and the bees began to move, and to stir, and to rub their wings with their legs. Then they flew off to the fields where white clover grows, and to the broad-backed hills covered with heather.

9. Or they made their way to the garden where flowers are lovely in their beds, to

gather honey or yellow flower-dust. And the buds and bells and cups of the flowers had been just awakened too; and were looking out for the visits of their friends the bees. 10. Another beam came to the bed of a

little boy. He

was very fond of sleep; and he did not like to get up.

11. So he hid his face from the sun

birds, and the bees, and the fowls, and the rabbits, and the horses were all at work in the open fields-which were now flooded with the happy light of the new sun.

EXERCISES.-1. Pronounce and write :

2. Mention or write down the names of six things in the lesson.

3. Tell which of the words in section 11 are nouns, and which

1. The lilacs are in blossom,

The cherry flowers are white;

I hear a sound below me,
A twitter of delight;
It is my friend the swallow
Once more come back alive!

'I'm very glad to see you!

Pray, when did you arrive?'

SWALLOW.

2. And I'm so glad to be here;

'It was a long, long journey;
How weary you must be!

SWALLOW.

'Oh, no! I'm used to travelling,

And it agrees with me.'

But,

when the spring appeared again,

I wanted to come back.'

CHILD.

'You're just the same old swallow ! Your wings are just as black.'

SWALLOW.

5. I always wear dark colours;
I'm ever on the wing;
A sober suit for travelling
For me's the proper thing.'

CHILD.

'Your little last year's nestlings,
Do tell me how they grow?'

SWALLOW.

'My young ones are big swallows,
And married long ago.'

CHILD.

6. And shall you build, this summer, Among the flowers and leaves?'

SWALLOW.

'No; I have taken lodgings

Beneath the cottage eaves.

You'll hear, each night and morning,
My twitter in the sky.'