They had
never heard anything like that before, and they evidently appreciated
it. She read through to the end.
Then were unloosed the tongues! They exclaimed in delight:--
"What an accomplishment it is!" said Mr. Roberts; "and how few possess
it. Doctor, how many really fine readers have you heard in your life?"
"About three," said the doctor, laconically.
"Well," said Mrs. Roberts, "let us all be exceptions. Gracie, teach us
how. I will try again."
And she did, on the first verse of the poem; with better success than
before; but how sharp the contrast between her reading and Gracie's, she
knew! It was not easy for her to read.
I don't know, possibly I am mistaken, but it seems to me that I have
known people ready for large sacrifices, who yet would shrink painfully
from these little ones.
In discussing the programme for the evening, the question had been, when
each had done his part, How were they to influence the boys to join?
_Could_ they join? Was it probable that they knew enough about
reading to attempt to speak the words of the poem? With reference to
this obstacle a poem had been chosen full of simple, homely words, such
as are in common use; especially was the first verse free from what Mr.
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