"Really my son, I am sorry you missed school this morning. It will put another bad point on your next report." "Ma, dear, I'm tired of that old school; it's a girls' school, anyhow. I'm the only Catholic there, and every now and then some one says something ugly about my religion. Of course, I have to fight boys that do it, but I must bear it when girls tell me I adore idols. If you send me to St. Thomas' I'll study hard."
WHAT THE SCHOOL BELL SAYS.
It is wonderful what unlike things
The school bell says to boys when it rings.
For instance the sluggard who drags along
On his way to school, hears this sort of song:
Oh, suz hum!
Why did I come?
Study 'till four—
Books are a bore!
Oh, how I wish
I could run off and fish!
See! there's the brook
Here's line and hook.
Hurry up—eh?
What's that you say?
Oh—hum—ho!
Suppose I must go,
Study 'till four,
Books are a bore.
Then the boy who loves to be faithful and true,
Who does what his parents think best he should do,
Comes bravely along with satchel and book,
The wind in his whistle, the sun in his look.
And these are the thoughts that well up like a song,
As he hears the old bell with its faithful ding dong:
Cling, clang, cling—
I'm so glad I could sing!
Heaven so blue,
Duty to do!
Birds in the air,
Everything fair,
Even a boy
Finds study a joy!
When my work is done
I'm ready for fun,
Keener my play
For tasks of the day,
Cling clang, cling.
I' so glad I can sing.
These are the songs which the two boys heard,
When the school bell was singing word for word.
Which do you think was the truer song?
Which do you hear as you're trudging along?
Don't be a laggard—far better I say!
To work while you work, and play when you play.
—By J. Bucham.
"Why so serious Amy," said her mother; "you look as if you were deeply reflecting."
I have just been thinking of those "wonders of the sea" you tell about.