4. What is the work of Bob? What is the work of his "Quaker wife"? Compare their work with the work of your father and mother. 5. When one's work "sobers" him, is that the same as taking pleasure away from him? Explain. 6. What has this poem to do with "home"? ADDITIONAL READINGS. 1. "The Chickadee," W. L. Finley, in American Birds. 2. "A Summer with a Hummer," A. A. Allen, in Scribner's Magazine, 69:693–701. 3. Wild Animal Homesteads, E. Mills. 4. Curious Homes and Their Tenants, D. C. Beard. 5. "To a Mouse," Robert Burns. 3. THE HOUSEKEEPER CHARLES LAMB The most lovable of English essayists is Charles Lamb. He was born in the heart of London and spent his entire life in and about the city. For more than thirty years he worked as a clerk in the offices of the East India Company. He loved flowers, insects, animals, and people. Friendliness and kindly humor appear in almost everything he wrote. The frugal snail, with forecast of repose, Carries his house with him where'er he goes; Peeps out, and if there comes a shower of rain, Retreats to his small domicile again. Touch but a tip of him, a horn, — 'tis well, He curls up in his sanctuary shell. He's his own landlord, his own tenant; stay Knock when you will, — he's sure to be at home. 1Quarter Day is the day in England for the payment of rent CLASS ACTIVITIES 1. Study of detail. Almost every line and, indeed, many of the phrases and words in this sonnet are worth study. For example, notice how the following words and phrases accurately describe the way the snail lives (consult the glossary if necessary): "frugal," "forecast of repose,' "sanctuary, "himself he boards and lodges," "sleeps with himself o'er nights,” “himself is his own furniture." Explain also these lines: second, fifth and sixth, seventh, eleventh and twelfth, fourteenth. 2. Are there any other creatures who live like the snail? 3. Does the title have more than one meaning? Does it fit the poem? 4. Why is this sonnet placed in this section of "Making Homes"? 4. ROOSEVELT'S LETTERS TO CHILDREN THEODORE ROOSEVELT Theodore Roosevelt will be remembered as a statesman, a hunter of big game, a naturalist, an historian, and a lover of home. He was born in New York City, was educated at Harvard University, spent several years on a Western ranch, wrote a notable history of the West, and served as a State legislator, police commissioner, military officer in the Spanish-American War, governor of New York, and President of the United States. This selection consists of three letters which he wrote to children when he was President. A WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS (TO MASTER JAMES A. GARFIELD, WASHINGTON) JIMMIKINS: White House, Dec. 26, 1902. Among all the presents I got I don't think there was one I appreciated more than yours; for I was brought up to admire and respect your grandfather, and I have a very great fondness and esteem for your father. It always seems to me as if you children were being brought up the way that mine are. Yesterday Archie got among his presents a small rifle from me and a pair of riding-boots from his mother. He won't be able to use the rifle until next summer, but he has gone off very happy in the riding boots for a ride on the calico pony Algonquin, the one you rode the other day. Yesterday morning at a quarter of seven all the children were up and dressed and began to hammer at the door of their mother's and my room, in which their six stockings, all bulging out with queer angles, were hanging from the fireplace. So their mother and I got up, shut the window, lit the fire, taking down the stockings, of course, put on our wrappers, and prepared to admit the children. But first there was a surprise for me, also for their good mother, for Archie had a little Christmas tree of his own which he had rigged up in a big closet with the help of one of the carpenters; and we all had to look at the tree and each of us got a present off of it. There was also one present each for Jack the dog, Tom Quartz the kitten, and Algonquin the pony, whom Archie would no more think of neglecting than I would neglect his brothers and sisters. Then all the children came into our bed and there they opened their stockings. Afterwards we got dressed and took breakfast, and then all went into the library, where each child had a table set for his bigger presents. Quentin had a perfectly delightful electric railroad, which had been rigged up for him by one of his friends, the White House electrician, who has been very good to all the children. Then Ted and I, with General Wood and Mr. Bob Ferguson, who was a lieutenant in my regiment, went for a three hours' ride; and all of us, including the children, took lunch at the house with the children's aunt Archie and Quentin having their lunch at a little table with their cousin Sheffield. Late in the afternoon I played at single stick with General Wood and Mr. Ferguson. I am going to get your father to come on and try it soon. We have to try to hit as light as possible, but sometimes we hit hard, and to-day I have a bump over one eye and a swollen wrist. Then all our family and kinsfolk and Senator and Mrs. Lodge's family and kinsfolk had our Christmas dinner at the White House, and afterwards danced in the East Room, closing up with the Virginia Reel. DEAR KERMIT: TOM QUARTZ AND JACK White House, Jan. 6, 1903. We felt very melancholy after you and Ted left and the house seemed empty and lonely. But it was the greatest possible comfort to feel that you both really have enjoyed school and are both doing well there. Tom Quartz is certainly the cunningest kitten I have ever seen. He is always playing pranks on Jack and I get very nervous lest Jack should grow too irritated. The other evening they were both in the library — Jack sleeping before the fire Tom Quartz scampering about, an exceedingly playful little wild creature which is about what he is. He would race across the floor, then jump upon the curtain or play with the tassel. Suddenly he spied Jack and galloped up to him. Jack, looking exceedingly sullen and shame-faced, jumped out of the way and got upon the sofa, where Tom Quartz instantly jumped upon him again. Jack suddenly shifted to the other sofa, where Tom Quartz again went after him. Then Jack started for the door, while Tom made a rapid turn under the sofa and around the table, and just as Jack reached the door leaped on his hindquarters. Jack bounded forward and away and the two went tandem out of the room Jack not reappearing at all; and after about five minutes Tom Quartz stalked solemnly back. Another evening the next Speaker of the House, Mr. Cannon, an exceedingly solemn, elderly gentleman with chin whiskers, who certainly does not look to be of playful nature, came to call upon me. He is a great friend of mine, and we sat talking over what our policies for the session should be until about eleven o'clock; and when he went away I accom panied him to the head of the stairs. He had gone about half-way down when Tom Quartz strolled by, his tail erect and very fluffy. He spied Mr. Cannon going down the stairs, jumped to the conclusion that he was a playmate escaping and raced after him, suddenly grasping him by the leg the way he does Archie and Quentin when they play hide and seek with him; then loosening his hold he tore down-stairs ahead of Mr. Cannon, who eyed him with iron calm and not one particle of surprise. Ethel has reluctantly gone back to boarding-school. It is just after lunch and Dulany is cutting my hair while I dictate this to Mr. Loeb. I left Mother lying on the sofa and reading aloud to Quentin, who as usual has hung himself over the back of the sofa in what I should personally regard as an exceedingly uncomfortable attitude to listen to literature. Archie we shall not see until this evening, when he will suddenly challenge me either to a race or a bear play, and if neither invitation is accepted will then propose that I tell a pig story or else read aloud from the Norse folk tales. VICE-MOTHER OF THE CHILDREN DEAR KERMIT: White House, Nov. 15, 1903. Mother has gone off for nine days, and as usual I am acting as vice-mother. Archie and Quentin are really too cunning for anything. Each night I spend about three-quarters of an hour reading to them. I first of all read some book like Algonquin Indian Tales, or the poetry of Scott or Macaulay. Once I read them "Jim Bludsoe," which perfectly enthralled them and made Quentin ask me at least a hundred questions, including one as to whether the colored boy did not find sitting on the safety valve hot. I have also been reading them each evening from the Bible. It has been the story of Saul, David, and Jonathan. They have been so interested that several times I have had to read them more than one chapter. Then each says his prayers |