﻿ADOLPHUS AND JAMES. 



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knocking and screaming, the parrot began to cry, " Have you break- 

 fasted, Jaco ? have you breakfasted ? " James was still more vexed, 

 for it seemed as if the bird was mocking him. Finally, after wait- 

 ing an hour, Adolphus returned to open the door, and as if nothing 

 had happened, said to James, in a hoarse voice, putting his head only 

 through the half open door, " Have you breakfasted, Jaco ? have you 

 breakfasted?" James, enraged, ran after Adolphus, who fled, cry- 

 ing out from time to time, " Have you breakfasted, Jaco ? have you 

 breakfasted ? " 



Finally, however, James' anger was appeased, and Adolphus 

 resumed his tricks. When James had at last really breakfasted, he 

 descended to the saloon, where he had perceived Adolphus playing 

 with his brothers, sisters, and some young friends come to visit him. 

 They admitted poor James into the circle ; but he did not get away 

 from them with much honor. 



" Gentlemen," cried Adolphus, " if you please, we will read some 

 stories ; I have here a book of very amusing ones." 



" Yes, willingly," was the reply on all sides. 



" Well, seat yourselves in a circle ; we will commence ; each one 

 shall read in his turn ; I will begin ; James, place yourself next to 



me.' 



They formed a circle, James sitting next to Adolphus, and the 

 latter, in a serious voice, read fluently the first story. 



" Now it is your turn," said he, presenting the book to the young 

 peasant ; " you must read.'* 



James reddened and pushed away the book. 



" Come, read, it is jour turn !" and James, ashamed, confused, 

 humbled, at last replied, " I do not know how to read." 



This was what Adolphus wished, who, in order to ridicule him 

 still more, said to the assembly, " He does not know how to read, 

 but perhaps he knows better how to write ; bring him a pen and ink." 



James, blushing with shame and vexation, went out of the room 

 crying. 



At last, on the evening of this unfortunate day, Adolphus had 

 another opportunity of ridiculing his new companion, of making him 

 feel his ignorance, and thus displaying his own superiority. 



The day was one of public rejoicing ; the festival was to terminate 

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