What was it that made the little boy fall,
And show such a lack of grace?
I'll tell you all, for I happen to know:
It was only a dirty face!
He looked at himself in the water-pail,
And that made the little boy's footstep fail.




WATERING THE FLOWERS.


"Why is it that flowers always grow so nicely for Mary? I often plant
seeds; but nothing comes from them. They won't grow for me. But blossoms
seem to spring right up wherever she goes. They must have a particular
liking for her."

That's what Master Tom said, one day, as he saw Mary watering the
flowers.

Well, it is no wonder, Tom, if flowers do have a liking for such a
lovable little girl. There's nothing so very strange about that. How
could they help liking her?

[Illustration: Watering the Flowers.]

But, after all, perhaps the secret of the matter is, that Mary loves the
flowers, and never forgets to take care of them. She looks after them
every day, and not by fits and starts, as some people do.