ice. When they came to the pond, the ice looked hard and
safe.
6. "There," said he to his sister, "I knew it had n't thawed
any. Mother is always afraid we shall be drowned. Come
along, we will have a good time sliding. The school bell will
not ring for an hour at least."
7. "But you promised mother," said Annie.
8. "No, I did n't. I only said 'All right,' and it is all right."
9. "I did n't say anything; so I can do as I like," said
Annie.
10. So they stepped on the ice, and started to go across the
pond. They had not gone


48 ECLECTIC SERIES.
far before the ice gave way, and they fell into the water.
11. A man who was at work near the shore, heard the
screams of the children, and plunged into the water to save
them. Harry managed to get to the shore without any help,
but poor Annie was nearly drowned before the man could
reach her.
12. Harry went home almost frozen, and told his mother
how disobedient he had been. He remembered the lesson
learned that day as long as he lived.

LESSON XVI.


BIRD FRIENDS.
1. I once knew a man who was rich in his love for birds,