and shrieked his way through it in a shrill , small voice , bound to do honor to the older brother who had trained him even if he broke a vessel in the attempt . Billy chose a well-worn piece , but gave it a new interest by his style of delivery ; for his gestures were so spasmodic he looked as if going into a fit , and he did such astonishing things with his voice that one never knew whether a howl or a growl would come next . When `` The woods against a stormy sky Their giant branches tossed ; '' Billy 's arms went round like the sails of a windmill ; the `` hymns of lofty cheer '' not only `` shook the depths of the desert gloom , '' but the small children on their little benches , and the school-house literally rang `` to the anthems of the free ! '' When `` the ocean eagle soared , '' Billy appeared to be going bodily up , and the `` pines of the forest roared '' as if they had taken lessons of Van Amburgh 's biggest lion . `` Woman 's fearless eye '' was expressed by a wild glare ; `` manhood 's brow , severely high , '' by a sudden clutch at the reddish locks falling over the orator 's hot forehead , and a sounding thump on his blue checked bosom told where `` the fiery heart of youth '' was located . `` What sought they thus far ? '' he asked , in such a natural and inquiring tone , with his eye fixed on Mamie Peters , that the startled innocent replied , `` Dunno , '' which caused the speaker to close in haste , devoutly pointing a stubby finger upward at the last line . This was considered the gem of the collection , and Billy took his seat proudly conscious that his native town boasted an orator who , in time , would utterly eclipse Edward Everett and Wendell Phillips . Sally Folsom led off with `` The Coral Grove , '' chosen for the express purpose of making her friend Almira Mullet start and blush , when she recited the second line of that pleasing poem , `` Where the purple mullet and gold-fish rove . '' One of the older girls gave Wordsworth 's `` Lost Love '' in a pensive tone , clasping her hands and bringing out the `` O '' as if a sudden twinge of toothache seized her when she ended . `` But she is in her grave , and O , the difference to me ! '' Bab always chose a funny piece , and on this afternoon set them all laughing by the spirit with which she spoke the droll poem , `` Pussy 's Class , '' which some of my young readers may have read . The `` meou '' and the `` sptzz '' were capital , and when the `` fond mamma rubbed her nose , '' the children shouted , for Miss Bab made a paw of her hand and ended with an impromptu purr , which was considered the best imitation ever presented to an appreciative public . Betty bashfully murmurred `` Little White Lily , '' swaying to and fro as regularly as if in no other way could the rhymes be ground out of her memory . `` That is all , I believe . If either of the ladies would like to say a few words to the children , I should be pleased to have them , '' said Teacher , politely , pausing before she dismissed school with a song . `` Please , 'm . I 'd like to speak my piece , '' answered Miss Celia , obeying a sudden impulse ; and , stepping forward with her hat in her hand , she made a pretty courtesy before she recited Mary Howitt 's sweet little ballad , `` Mabel on Midsummer Day . '' She looked so young and merry , and used such simple but expressive gestures , and spoke in such a clear , soft voice that the children sat as if spell-bound , learning several lessons from this new teacher , whose performance charmed them from beginning to end , and left a moral which all could understand and carry away in that last verse , -- '' 'T is good to make all duty sweet , To be alert and kind ; 'T is good , like Littie Mabel , To have a willing mind . '' Of course there was an enthusiastic clapping when Miss Celia sat down , but even while hands applauded , consciences pricked , and undone tasks , complaining words and sour faces seemed to rise up reproachfully before many of the children , as well as their own faults of elocution .
`` Now we will sing , '' said XXXXX , and a great clearing of throats ensued , but before a note could be uttered , the half-open door swung wide , and Sancho , with Ben 's hat on , walked in upon his hind-legs , and stood with his paws meekly folded , while a voice from the entry sang rapidly , -- `` Benny had a little dog , His fleece was white as snow , And everywhere that Benny went , The dog was sure to go .
Bab Celia Day Dunno Folsom Teacher elocution mullet purr toothache