34 METHODS IN TEACHING 



The children are greatly interested to know that the old 

 house is now owned by the Whittier Memorial Association ; 

 and that the bake-kettles, bellows, foot-warmers, candle 

 moulds, and some pieces of old china are still preserved. 

 The first division of the story having now been read, it is 

 completed by narrative drawings, written descriptions, brief 

 outlines of different topics, and language exercises. 



The second division of the poem with us is the evening 

 at the fireside, where, 



" Shut in from all the world without, 

 We sat the clean winged hearth about." 



This we try to picture very clearly, for this is the home life 

 of the Whittier family as seen by the loving son and brother. 

 At last the great logs crumble down ; the " bull's eye watch " 

 points to the hour of nine ; and the pleasant circle separates 

 for the night. The uncle remains behind to cover up the 

 embers; the mother stays to express in quiet her grateful 

 thanks for the blessings that have been granted all ; the boys 

 climb to their chill attic, where they lie listening to the storm 

 sounds without. Soon sleep steals over them, guiding them 



into 



" The summer land of dreams." 



Through this part of the poem comparisons of the characters 

 are made and short sketches are written about the members 

 of the family. 



The third division of the poem deals with events after the 

 clearing of the storm, when, at last, with the coming of the 

 village newspaper, the ice-locked door of the world swings 

 open again, and the family is in touch with fellowmen. It 



