But Jack looked wise. "Oh, yes," said he,
"I've thought of just the very thing;
These railway trucks do splendidly--
We'll tie them on our feet with string."

They did, and all began to skate.
But Jack, I fear, was rather rash;
He _would_ start off at such a rate
That down he tumbled with a crash!

He wasn't hurt. "I'm quite all right,"
He cried, and scrambled up again;
And on they skated with delight,
Forgetting all about the rain!
--_Selected_.

* * * * *

Why Betty Changed Her Mind

By Marie Deacon Hanson

[Illustration]


Each day, on her way to school, Betty called for Robbie Porter. There
were two reasons why she did this. One was that she had promised Mrs.
Porter she would, the other was that the little boy's mother always
gave Betty a cooky, or a piece of candy, or sometimes a penny. Betty
never wanted anyone to know about this second reason, which made her