A SPELLING LESSON
1 I am going to have a. spelling match to-night,' said Uncle John, r and I'll give a pair of skates to the boy that can spell man best.'" . The children turned and stared into one anothei^s eyes.
1 Spell man best, Uncle John 1 Why, there's only one way ! ' they cried. ' There are all sorts of ways,' replied Uncle John. ' I'll leave you to . think of it awhile ' ; and he buttoned up His coat and went away. • What Hoes he mean ? ' asked tfob. 'I think it's a joke,' said Harry thoughtfully ; - * and when Uncle John asks me, I'm going to say, why m-a-n, of course.' Time went slowly to the puzzled boys, for all their fun that day. It seemed as if that after-supper time, would never come ; but ft came at last, and uncle John came too, with a shiny skate-runner peeping out of his pockeTi. ' It's a conundrum, I know,' said Joe ;. and he leaned his head on his hand and settled down to think. Uncle John did not delay ; he sat down, and looked straight into Harry's eyes. ' ' Been a good boy to-day, Hal ? ' ' Yes— n-o,' said Harry, flushing. ' I did something Aunt Mary told me not to do, because Ned Barnes dared me to. I can't bear a boy to dare me. What has that got to do with spelling man ? \, He adided, half tohimself. But Uncle John had turned to Bob. 1 Had a good day, my boy ? ' ' Haven't had fun enough,' answered Bob stoutly. ' It's all Joe's fault, too. We boys wanted the pond to ourselves for one day, and we made up our minds • that when the girls came we'd clear them off ; but Joe, he ' ' I think this is Joe's to" tell,' interrupted Uncle John. ' How was it, boy ? ' ' Why,' said Joe, ' I thought the girls had as much right on the pond as tEe boys, so I spoke to one or two of the bigger boys, and they thought so, too, and we stopped it all. I thought it was mean to treat the girls that way.' There came a flash from Uncle John's pocket ; " the next minute the skates were on Joe's knees. ' The spelling match is ov.er,' said Uncle John, ' and Joe has won the prize.' Three Bewildered faces mutely questioned him. ' Boys,' he answered gravely, ' we've been spelling man— not in letters, but in acts. I told you there were different ways, and we've proved it here to-night. Think it over, boys, and see.' v
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZT19071017.2.65.3
Bibliographic details
New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 42, 17 October 1907, Page 37
Word Count
421A SPELLING LESSON New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 42, 17 October 1907, Page 37
Using This Item
See our copyright guide for information on how you may use this title.