Edward could spell nearly all the words in his primer, and he could
read quite well.

The school was more than a mile from their home, and the children
trotted along as fast as their short legs could carry them.

At a place where two roads crossed, they saw a tall gentleman coming
to meet them. He was dressed in black, and had a very pleasant face.

"Oh, Edward, there is Mr. Harris!" whispered the little girl. "Don't
forget your manners."

They were glad to see Mr. Harris, for he was the minister. They stopped
by the side of the road and made their manners. Edward bowed very
gracefully, and his sister curtsied.

"Good morning, children!" said the minister; and he kindly shook hands
with both.

[Illustration]

"I have something here for little Edward," he said. Then he took from
his pocket a sheet of paper on which some verses were written.

"See! It is a little speech that I have written for him. The teacher
will soon ask him to speak a piece at school, and I am sure that he
can learn this easily and speak it well"

Edward took the paper and thanked the kind minister.