80 HOW NATURE STUDY SHOULD BE TAUGHT 



through the half opened door, " All aboard ! " and 

 there was a rush for the train. 



Perhaps the audience saw only a burlesque on 

 the methods in vogue at railroad restaurants, but 

 into the mind of at least one who was present 

 there floated a remembrance of a certain school- 

 room. Flushed and eager from outdoor exercise 

 and interests, a crowd of happy children walked 

 briskly into the room and took their seats. 



" What have you, there, John, that is attract- 

 ing so much attention ? " sharply inquired the 

 teacher. 



"A little spotted turtle ; we found it down by 

 the spring and " 



" Carry it right outdoors and leave it there. 

 You ought to know better than to bring such a 

 thing into the schoolroom — of all " 



" But please, ma'am, I thought you might want 

 it in nature study," replied the boy, as a few in 

 his immediate vicinity pressed forward to see it, 

 and in various parts of the room a dozen or more 

 hands came up from excited children, who had 

 evidently participated in the capture of the 

 turtle, or who wanted to see it. " No, we don't 

 want it to-day. Don't you know that we com- 

 mence the study of the local amphibia on the 15th 



