These words were addressed to a group of school-boys at the afternoon recess, to which all but two responded in the affirmative. It was a snapping cold day, but youthful skaters mind nothing for that.
"George and I have promised to see the teacher after school about studying grammar," said Neander, "so that we can't go."
"He wants to form a new class in grammar for beginners, and our parents have told him that we must study it," said George.
"I will sell you what I know about it cheap, if you will go with us," said John, who had studied grammar a short time.
"I don't think he will be troubled to find use for as much as that," said Charlie, jocosely.
"You will find it dry as a chip," added John. "It fairly makes me thirsty to study it."
The bell rung, and the boys hurried to their seats. At the close of the school, the teacher took occasion to say, "that some scholars were desirous of beginning the study of grammar. I think there might be quite a large class formed of those who are old enough to begin. It is a very important science. It will teach you how to read and write the English language correctly. You cannot write a good letter even without some knowledge of this study. Those of you who are eleven or twelve years of age ought to commence it at once. Now, those of you who would like to join such a class may stop after the school is dismissed, and we will make the arrangements."
Three or four only remained—others passed out, Nat and Charlie among them. They had never studied grammar, and the teacher really expected they would remain. Their scholarship was so good that he inferred they would desire to unite with such a class, but he was mistaken.
"Shall you join the grammar class, Nat?" inquired Charlie, on their way to the pond.
"No; I think that other studies will be of more use to me. Grammar is a good branch for rich men's sons, who can go to school as long as they want to; but I am not a rich man's son, and I never expect to do any thing that will require a knowledge of grammar."