LXI. GOING IN FRONT OF PEOPLE.
One evening Minnie sat at the table preparing her lessons. Her father and mother, with an aunt who had called to see them, were seated at the hearth.
In a little while Minnie found that she required a book from the bookcase, which stood in a recess to the left of the fireplace, so she rose from the table, and, without speaking a word, walked in front of her aunt and in front of her father to reach the book. Her aunt looked up in astonishment, and her father exclaimed: "Minnie, how rude you are!"
Why was Minnie rude? Because she did not say "Excuse me, please," both to her aunt and her father. We ought not to go in front of any one, if we can by any means avoid it; but, if it is impossible to get behind, we must never forget to say those little words which Minnie so rudely forgot.
112. The Man and his Luggage.
A gentleman was travelling in a railway train, and, as there was no one else in the carriage, he placed his portmanteau and other luggage on the rack opposite to where he sat instead of overhead.
At the next station several people entered the carriage, and, when the gentleman wanted to get out, he was obliged to reach up in front of the people sitting opposite to get his luggage. But he did not forget to say, "Excuse me, please".
(Blackboard.)
When Passing in Front of others, or when Reaching in Front, always say "Excuse me, please".