the best time we can and we may be late 

 to supper at that." And he started off 

 at such a brisk pace that the boys were 

 obHged to run to keep up with him. 



A few weeks after Uncle George's visit 

 the postman brought Bert a package 

 which filled him with delight. It con- 

 tained two little silver frog pins and a 

 card on which was written "For the part- 

 ners of the tadpole scheme." 



"It's just like Uncle George, isn't it, 

 mamma?" said Bert enthusiasticallv. "He 



never makes fun of a fellow, but does all 

 he can to make 'em feel comfortable 

 when they make mistakes, and I 

 shouldn't wonder but what Harry and I 

 would go to France and raise frogs when 

 we get through school ; anyway we know 

 more about them than we did before 

 Uncle George came, and we are going to 

 know still more before we get through 

 with them." 



Grace T. Thompson. 



WHEN SPRING AWAKES, 



The Spirit of Spring-time was sleeping 



Deep in the ground ; 

 Winter was frowning and weeping 



Over her mound. 



The Spirit of Spring-time was dreaming 



Of bud and of bloom ; 

 The sunlight above her came streaming 



To melt Winter's gloom. 



The Spirit of Spring-time was waking — 



I hear a bird sing; 

 The ice on the river is breaking — 



Awake ! lovely Spring. 



The crocus bulb babies all listened, 



And gently peeped out ; 

 The eye of a violet glistened ; 



Tulips were a-pout. 



The Spirit of Spring-time was rising, 



Her toilet made ; 

 She comes, for her smile is surprising 



The hill and the glade. 



She is here in her beauty before us — 



Bird-voices sing; 

 And poets all join in the chorus, 

 'Sweet Spring." 



— Lucia Belle Cook. 



152 



Exclaiming : 



