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of me," said the Prince.

said the cat.

"Put it to your ear,

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14. He did so, and heard a sound inside Bow wow!" He was going to open the acorn, but the cat told him not to do that, as the dog might catch cold on the journey.

15. He thanked the cat for all her kindness to him. She only replied by a deep sigh. Then he mounted the wooden horse, which went off at once at a great pace.

LANGUAGE.

"Clever," in paragraph 13, means wise and easily taught. "Hares" are animals much like rabbits, but larger.

cush'ion pret'ti ly

LXXV. THE WHITE CAT. - Part IV.

hap'pened
mat'tress

splen'did
twenty-four

nee'dle wal'nut

1. The horse went so fast that he reached the castle where he was to meet his brothers, almost as soon as they did. They laughed at the wooden horse; but it began to spring and jump with great grace.

2. On the way, Prince Beryl had bought an ugly cur, with one ear off, and no tail. He showed this to his brothers, who laughed very much, and showed him two lovely little dogs, each lying on a satin cushion in a glass case.

3. Then they went to the king. The dogs of the two brothers were so pretty and so clever that it was hard to choose between them. Then Prince Beryl showed his cur, and all the court laughed.

4. But he said, "Well, I have another, if you do not like that one." He opened his acorn, and there lay the most wonderful little dog, with silky white hair and long ears.

5. The dog jumped down, and began to dance very prettily. Then it walked up to the King, and made him a low bow, as if it said, Do I please you?"

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6. But the King was not much pleased, for his crown was more dear to him than all the dogs in the world; yet he could not expect to find a more lovely dog. So he told his sons they must go and travel for another year, and bring him a piece of cloth that would pass through the eye of the finest needle in the city.

7. The two elder Princes were glad to have another chance of the crown; but Prince Beryl did not feel that he had been well treated. He mounted the wooden horse, which started at once for the castle. There he found all the doors open, all the windows lighted with lamps of gay colors.

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8. White Cat lay in her basket, on a satin mattress. When she saw the Prince she began to purr. I am very glad to see you," she said, "and I know all that has happened. But I have some cats in my castle that can spin very well, and I will put a paw to the work myself. Now let us be merry."

9. So this year passed as happily as the other, and the Prince was quite surprised when he was told that the last day had come. The White Cat gave him a splendid carriage and horses, and other carriages full of lords in grand dresses, to go with him. You will find your cloth in this walnut," she said.

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10. "Oh, dear White Puss! how kind you are!"

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11. So Prince Beryl had to kiss her paw and go. He was a thousand miles from home; but the horses went so fast that in twenty-four hours he was there.

12. His brothers had already shown their pieces of cloth, which were fine enough to pass through the eye of a large needle, but not that of a small one. So the king would not give them the crown.

LANGUAGE.

A "cur

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is a dog that is not of pure breed; that is, he may be part shepherd and part spaniel or terrier, and so is not of much value.

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All the day long in the cornfield so weary, Father has toiled in the heat of the sun; Now the great bell from the farmyard rings cheery,

Telling the time of his labor is done.

Far in the west streaks of crimson are shining, Where the last sunbeam is just out of sight;

Slowly and brightly I watched it declining Through the old elm-tree, all golden with light.

Soon will the night come, the darkness will

gather

[graphic]

Over the fields, and

the trees, and the

leaves,

And the round moon

will shine brightly

where father

Reaped down the
harvest and bound

the brown sheaves.

Beasts have lain down where the
bright dewdrops glisten,

Birds have gone home to their
roosts long ago,

Only the bat brushes by as I lis

ten,

Or the black beetle hums drowsy and slow.

Lay the white cloth for his coming, dear mother;

Set out his chair where he likes it to be;

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