THE PIG 



Miss Clare and Michael were holding an animated 

 conversation at the teacher's desk. 



''Yes'm, six of them, awful pretty," were the 

 words borne to the listening children, followed by 



'bout so long," and Michael was measuring with 

 his hands. 



Miss Clare nodded, smiled, said "Yes, indeed," 

 and added, after a glance at the clock, "a quarter of 

 twelve will be a good time;" then Michael walked 

 to his seat with a proud air, nothing more was said, 

 and the classes were called as usual. 



Just before noon, however, the teacher said, "Get 

 your hats, very quietly, for we are going a little 

 earlier than usual. Michael has invited us to go 

 home with him for a few minutes. He has some- 

 thing to show us that we know you will like to 

 see." 



Michael lived with his grandfather in a little 

 house down the back alley, not far away, and when 



"3 



