Page:Side talks with girls (1895).djvu/74

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Side Talks with Girls

possibly double-syllabled words, reads a story that interests the other two, or at least one of them, while the baby starts in to build a house of alphabet blocks with the letter "A" on top. Then for the seven-year-old you set a copy on the slate—preferably her name; and the five-year-old, to whom you should devote your closest attention, you teach how to spell words from a picture-book.

Before you know it will be eleven o'clock, and the nurse will be ready to go out with you. She puts on the little people's wraps and gloves and hats, and you, as superior, oversee this. Then, once in the open square, you teach the children to walk properly, and to speak politely to any acquaintance whom they may meet, and at the end of the exercise hour you may let them have a run that will not be too boisterous. At home again a little after twelve, preparations are made for the midday dinner. Then you must watch. Baby must be taught that it isn't right to swallow things whole; the five-year-old must be educated not to pile his fork with vegetables, and the seven-year-old must be shown how to help herself to the dish that is passed to her without dropping its contents on the table-cloth or the carpet. After a little time the girl is given a thimble and you teach her how to sew, while the boys are busy with whatever will occupy them quietly. At half-past two you