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8. "Of course he doesn't want to fight, and he'd be a fool to do anything you tell him," said a newcomer on the scene, who brought himself through the thick of the crowd by dint of vigorous and unceremonious elbowing. "See here, Richards, it's mean of you to come here with your set and tease a new boy. Let him alone." Let him alone." And Master Thomas Playfair seated himself beside the weeping boy, and stared very steadily and indignantly into Richards' face. The bully's eyes lowered involuntarily, he hesitated for one moment, then, abashed, turned away.

In this and similar Lessons the number in parenthesis refers to the paragraph or stanza in which the word, sentence, or expression occurs.

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Explain the expressions: "at a loss for words (1); "pursued Richards" (1); "evoked a low, derisive chuckling" (2); "employed a bitter tongue" (3); "feeding and gloating upon his embarrassment" (3); could endure his awkward position no longer" (7); "the bully's eyes lowered involuntarily " (8).

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LESSON II.

1. rē' as suring; a. restoring courage to.

7. sym' på thět'ĭe; a. exhibiting pity and tenderness toward one in trouble.

10. ex prèss'ĭvè; a. serving to express, utter, or represent. 10. ǎn'i ma' tion; n. liveliness. 10. ǎb sôrbed'; v. engaged, or engrossed wholly.

7. boister Qusness; n. noise; | 10. re fěe tỏ rỹ; n. a room violence; disorder. where meals are eaten.

Percy Wynn's First Day at College. Part II.

1. For a few moments there was a silence, broken only by the sobs of Percy. Tom's right hand, meanwhile, was deep in his jacket-pocket. Presently, when Percy had become calmer, it emerged filled.

"Here, Percy, take some candy."

Tom had a way of offering candy which was simply

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irresistible. No long speech could have had so reassuring an effect. Percy accepted the candy, and brightened up at once; put a caramel in his mouth, then drawing a dainty silk handkerchief from his breast-pocket, he wiped his eyes and broke into a smile which spoke volumes of gratitude.

2. "That's good," said Tom, encouragingly. "You're all right now. My name's Tom Playfair, and I come from St. Louis. I know your name already, so you needn't tell me it. Are you a Chicago boy?"

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'No, sir, I'm from Baltimore."

"See here," said Tom, "do you want me to run. away ? "

"Why,

"No, indeedy!" said Percy, smiling, shaking back his long golden locks, and opening his eyes very wide. are you afraid of Baltimore boys?"

"It isn't that," Tom made answer.

"But if you say

'sir' to me, I'll run away. Call me Tom and I'll call you Percy."

"Very well, Tom, I will. And I am very happy to make your acquaintance."

3. Tom was startled, and for a moment paused, not knowing what manner of reply to make to this neatlyworded compliment.

"Well," he said at length, "let's shake hands, then."

To his still greater astonishment, Percy gravely arose and with a graceful movement of his body, which was neither a bow nor a curtsy, but something between the two, politely took his hand.

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'Well, I never!" gasped Tom. "Where in the world did you come from?"

"From Baltimore, Maryland," said Percy. "I thought I had just told you."

"Are all the boys there like you?

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Well, indeed, Tom, I really don't know. I wasn't acquainted with any boys, you know. Mamma said they were too rough. And "-here Percy broke almost into a sob" they are rough, too. You're the only one of the boys I've met so far, Tom, that's been kind to me." 4. Tom whistled softly.

"Didn't know any boys?"

"Not one."

"Well, then, who on the round earth did you play with ? "

"Oh, with my sisters, Tom. I have ten sisters. The oldest is eighteen, and the youngest is six.

Kate and Mary are twins. And oh, Tom, they are all so kind and nice. I wish you knew them; I'm sure you'd like them immensely."

5. Tom had his doubts. In his unromantic way, he looked upon girls as creatures who were to be made use of by being avoided.

"Did you play games with your sisters, Percy?"

"Oh yes, indeedy! And, Tom, I can dress a doll or sew just as nicely as any of them. And I could beat them all at the skipping-rope. Then we used to play Pussy wants a corner,' and 'Hunt the slipper,' and 'Grocery-store,' and I used to keep the grocery and they were the customers-and oh, we did have such times! And then at night mamma used to read to us, Tom-such splendid stories, and sometimes beautiful poems, too. Did you ever hear the story of Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp? "

"I believe not," said Tom modestly.

"Or Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves?"
Tom again entered a negative.

6. "Oh, they're just too good; they're charming. I'll

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