The little marks [""] that enclose the exact words used by another are called quotation marks.

Read the third sentence. Why is yes enclosed by quotation marks? Whose words are repeated in the fourth sentence? Read Ida's words. What are the marks called that enclose her words?

When the exact words of a person are repeated by another, they should be enclosed by quotation marks.

NOTE.

In a later lesson, examples of quotations are given, in which the quotation is divided by other words.

WRITTEN EXERCISE.

1. Copy the four sentences at the head of this lesson.

2. Copy these sentences, and place quotation marks wherever they are needed:

1. Here are your gloves, said Thomas.

2. Uncle George, please tell us a story, said Elsie.

3. How do cats walk so softly? asked Fred.

4. Because they have cushions on their feet, replied his mother.

5. Where shall we hang the hammock? asked the boys.

6. Under the old elm-tree, said Mrs. Wood.

LESSON XLVII.

QUOTATIONS.

1. George said to Robert, "Where is Bruno?

2. Robert replied, "He was out by the barn a short time ago."

To whom did George speak? What did he say?
Read the second sentence.

Whose words are repeated in this sen

tence? What shows that the words are quoted?

What mark is placed before the quotation in each sentence? With what kind of letter does the first word of each quoted sentence begin?

A quoted sentence that gives the exact words of another should begin with a capital letter.

Copy the following story. Tell which of the sentences are quotations:

THE FARMER AND THE STORK.

A farmer set a net in his field, to catch the cranes which came to feed on his corn. He caught several cranes, and with them a stork. The stork begged the farmer to let him go. He said, "I am not a wicked crane, but a poor, harmless stork." The farmer replied, "That may be true. But I have caught you with the cranes, and you must die with them.”

What does this story teach about bad company? Tell the story in your own words.

DICTATION EXERCISE.

1. Frank cried, "Throw me the rope.'
2. "Here it is," said John.

3. "The bells are ringing," said Mrs. May.
4. "Look at this leaf," said Clara.

5. "Where did you find it?" asked the girls.

A cat caught a sparrow and was about to eat it, when the sparrow said, "No gentleman eats till he has first washed his face."

The cat, struck with this remark, set the sparrow down, and began to wash his face. The sparrow then flew away. This vexed Tom, and he said, “As long as I live, I will eat first, and wash my face afterward."

Tell the story in your own words.

WRITTEN EXERCISE.

Write the story of The Cat and the Sparrow. First write the name of the story.

Do not forget to use the quotation marks if you give the exact words of the cat and the sparrow.

LESSON XLIX.

CONTRACTIONS.

1. I've torn the book.

2. Don't be careless.

What does I've mean in the first sentence?

Write I have.

in I've ?

Write I've. What letters are in I have that are not

In writing I've, what do you place where the letters h and a are left out?

The mark [] is called an apostrophe.

From what two words is don't made? Why is the apostrophe used? Words, like I've and don't, made from two words by omitting a letter or letters, are called contractions.

An apostrophe should be used in a contraction wherever a letter or letters are left out.

Mention the contractions in these sentences, tell from what words each is formed, and name the letters that are left out :

There's Fred.

He's behind time.

Isn't your brother coming?
They'll be here soon.

I'm glad to see you.

I'll try to solve the problem.
He said 'twas a mistake.

Doesn't your brother sing?
Wouldn't Paul come?

I can't read this letter.

They're painting the house.

It's a cold morning.

WRITTEN EXERCISE.

1. Copy the sentences above, writing the contracted words in full.

2. There's the car.

3. Isn't that your dog?

4. He's following us.

5. Doesn't the wind blow hard?

6. Harry can't open the gate.

7. It's too heavy.

8. I'm learning to draw.

9. Wouldn't you like to see my drawings? 10. They're in the next room.

LESSON LI.

COMPOSITION.

THE BROWN THRUSH.

I.

There's a merry brown thrush sitting up in the tree;

"He's singing to me! he's singing to me!"
And what does he say, little girl, little boy?
"Oh, the world's running over with joy!
Don't you hear?
hear? Don't you see?

Hush! look! in my tree.

I'm as happy as happy can be!"

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