LESSON CVII

Jack Spratt could eat no fat,
His wife could eat no lean;
And so betwixt them both, you see,
They kept the platter clean.

I WRITTEN There is something new today. The words you see are not necessary to the story, and might be left out. They are called parenthetical, and are set off by commas. Write from memory, and verify.

II WRITTEN Copy the rule given today, and verify.

Rule 27 Set off by commas a parenthetical word or word-group.

III ORAL Read the following sentences so as to show that a portion of each is parenthetical:

1 There was an old woman, as I've been told.
2 He stood, by special request, near the door.
3 By the way, do not mention this.
4 He must go home, they say, immediately.
5 In the moon, I am told, is a nice little man.

Christmas comes but once a year,

And when it comes it brings good cheer.

LESSON CVIII

Old Toby Sizer is such a miser
No cloak he'll buy to keep him dry, sir;
He'll not permit his neighbor Randall
To light his pipe by his short candle,
For fear, he says, he might convey
A little bit of light away.

I WRITTEN

Notice the parenthetical group he says. It would not be improper to place exclamation points after sir and away, if we wished to carry the idea of surprise over Toby's miserliness. For fear means because he fears. Write from memory, and verify.

II WRITTEN Use the following word-groups parenthetically in sentences:

III ORAL Look thru your readers for short examples of parenthetical expressions. Read several of these in class.

"Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man!"
"So I will, master, as fast as I can."
"Pat it, and toss it, and mark it with B;
Put it in the oven for Baby and me."

LESSON CIX

As Tommy Snooks and Bessie Brooks
Were walking out one Sunday,
Said Tommy Snooks to Bessie Brooks,
"Tomorrow will be Monday."

I WRITTEN Study the rime, noting every point. Write from memory, and verify.

II WRITTEN Write from memory the rule for today, and verify.

Rule 28 Set off by commas a direct quotation; begin it with a cap, and inclose it in quotes.

This rule does not apply to single words or small wordgroups. These are merely inclosed in quotes. A direct quotation is one in the exact words of the speaker. At the beginning or at the end of a sentence, a quotation loses one comma, the comma at the end giving way to any more important point.

III ORAL Look in your readers for simple illustrations of the rule. Observe whether each one obeys the three directions given. Do you prefer the name "marks of quotation" or the simpler term quotes?

To the teacher: See Appendix note.

Up hill, spare me,
Down hill, ware me;

On level ground, spare me not,
And in the stable, forget me not.