LITERATURE IN GRAMMAR GRADES 37 



The tetm closes with a sketch of Whittier's life as it is 

 known after twenty weeks spent in the study of his poems. 



By the time the sixth grade is reached the papers are too 

 long to be given in their entirety. Extracts, however, show 

 some of the progress made by the pupil in composition and 

 in his comprehension of literature. They also indicate lines 

 of correction and guidance for the teacher. 



AMONG THE HILLS. 

 Prelude. 



Whittier commences the prelude of "Among the Hills" 

 by telling of a hot, quiet, sultry, summer day. There was 

 only a little wind and that was a high one, because just the 

 tops of the maples made a faint motion. Everything seemed 

 to be lazy and the only sounds were the locust and a hay 

 wagon creaking along with the driver half asleep. The 

 goldenrods were drooping in the sun and through the door 

 came a drowsy smell of heliotrope, clover and mignonette. 

 The harvesters were resting under the trees as it was in the 

 hottest part of the day, which was noon. As they were 

 resting there they told riddles and sang. 



The day was very hot and hazy and the sheep were hud- 

 dled up against the stone wall, for it was the coolest and 

 shadiest place they could find. Whittier had been busy a 

 long time writing and lecturing about slavery but now, when 

 he has finished, he begins this poem. He says that all are 

 not idle, a farmer's son who took a fancy to work did his 

 work in the field and was proud of it. 



The farmer and his family were willing to do their work 

 and as there was love, harmony, and beauty in this home the 



or 



