Part 3

“Thank you,” said Mother. “Be sure to send the bill. I am glad you can let me have the dress before Sunday.”

_For study and play_:

Pin it here, pin it there, Pin it, pin it, everywhere.

I put my needle in, I pull my needle out; I draw it close, and draw it smooth, And turn my work about.

—A SEWING SONG

Little Polly Flinders Sat among the cinders, Warming her pretty little toes. Her mother came and caught her, Whipped her little daughter, For spoiling her nice new clothes.

Hark, hark! The dogs do bark, The beggars are coming to town; Some in tags, Some in rags, And some in velvet gowns.

—SELECTED

BOBBY GOES WITH FATHER TO THE TAILOR’S SHOP

When Father came in sight, Bobby ran to meet him.

“When are you going to the tailor’s, Daddy?” asked Bobby.

“Tomorrow morning,” answered Father.

“May I go with you?” asked Bobby. “Please, Daddy.”

“No, Bobby, there is nothing at the tailor’s you want to see.”

“Oh, yes, there is, Daddy.”

“What do you want to see, Bobby?”

“I want to see the tailor. I want to see a man sew.”

“Very well, Bobby, you may go with me.”

Bobby was up early next morning.

When breakfast was over, he went with Father to the tailor’s shop.

The tailor brought out Father’s new suit.

Father tried it on.

Bobby thought Father stood very still.

The tailor clipped the coat with his sharp shears.

At first, Bobby thought he would spoil it.

Bobby saw the tailor’s thimble.

He saw the tailor’s needle.

He saw his thread and beeswax.

He saw the tailor’s sewing machine, and suits hanging on the wall.

At last the tailor said, “That’s all.”

“When will the suit be done?” asked Father.

“I will send it Saturday,” said the tailor.

“Send the bill with it, please,” said Father.

Father then said “Good day” to the tailor, and he and Bobby went out of the shop.

“Run home, now,” said Father to Bobby. “I must be off to my work.”

The tailor kept his word.

He sent Father’s suit and the bill early Saturday morning.

An hour later Mother’s dress came with the dressmaker’s bill.

Father liked his new suit.

Mother liked her new dress.

They paid the bills that very day.

So the tailor and dressmaker had pay for their work.

And Father and Mother had their new clothes to wear to church on Sunday morning.

_For study and play_:

Poor old Robinson Crusoe! Poor old Robinson Crusoe! They made him a coat, Of an old nanny goat, I wonder how they could do so! With a ring-a-ting-tang, And a ring-a-ting-tang, Poor old Robinson Crusoe.

I went around to the tailor’s shop To buy a tailor’s needle. That’s the way the money goes, And pop goes the weasel!

_Riddles_:

When may a man’s pocket be empty, and yet have something in it?

_When it has a hole in it_

Inside hole, Outside full of many holes.

_A thimble_

NEW CLOTHES FOR BOBBY AND BETTY

Sunday afternoon Father said, “Bobby must have a new suit.”

“Will the tailor make it?” asked Bobby.

“No, Bobby. Mother will take you to the dry-goods store. She will buy you a ready-made suit.”

“That will be fine,” said Bobby. “Let’s go now, Mother.”

“Today is Sunday, Bobby.”

“Tomorrow will be Monday,” said Bobby. “May we go Monday, Mother?”

“Yes, we will go tomorrow afternoon.”

Just then Betty came in from play.

“Where are you going Monday afternoon, Bobby?” she asked.

“Mother and I are going somewhere. You can’t go.”

“Betty may go with us,” said Mother. “She needs a new dress.”

“Good!” cried Betty, “I’m going to have a new dress. Shall we buy it of the dressmaker, Mother?”

“No, dear. We don’t buy dresses at the dressmaker’s. The dressmaker makes dresses.”

“She made a pretty dress for you, Mother,” said Betty. “I think she will make one for me.”

“I can find a nice dress for you at the dry-goods store,” said Mother.

“Is that the place where there are pretty dresses in the window?” asked Betty.

“Yes, dear.”

Monday afternoon Mother and the children went to the dry-goods store.

A saleswoman came up to Mother and said, “Madam, what can I show you?”

“Boys’ suits, please,” answered Mother.

The saleswoman led the way to the place where boys’ suits were kept.

“I want one that will wear well,” said Mother.

“I think you will like this,” said the saleswoman. Bobby tried on the coat.

He liked it and Mother liked it.

“I will take it,” said Mother.

Mother then paid for the suit and asked the saleswoman to send it.

“Would you like to see little girls’ dresses?” asked the saleswoman. “We have some pretty ones.”

“If you please,” said Mother.

The saleswoman led the way.

They soon came to the place where little girls’ dresses were kept in the store.

Betty saw a dress with ruffles on the skirt and a pretty sash.

“I like that,” said Betty.

“It’s a pretty dress,” said Mother. “May she try it on?”

“Yes,” said the saleswoman.

The saleswoman slipped the dress over the one Betty had on.

Mother liked it and Betty liked it.

So Mother bought the dress for Betty. And she bought cloth for an everyday dress and for two everyday aprons.

_For study and play_:

Name things you buy by the yard.

How many feet in a yard?

How many inches in a foot? How many inches in a yard?

How many inches in a quarter of a yard? In half a yard?

Tom Trot, a man of law, Sold his bed and lay on straw, Sold his straw and lay on grass, To buy his wife a looking-glass.

Hector Protector was dressed all in green; Hector Protector was sent to the Queen. The Queen did not like him, No more did the King; So Hector Protector was sent back again.

There was a young lady in blue Who said, “Is it you? Is it you?” When they said, “Yes, it is,” She replied only, “Whizz!” That ungracious young lady in blue.

—EDWARD LEAR

Trit, trot to market, to buy a penny doll. Trit, trot home again, market’s sold them all.

Fine feathers don’t make fine birds. Handsome is as handsome does.

Dancy-diddlety-poppity-pin! Have a new dress when summer comes in; When summer goes out, ’Tis all worn out, Dancy-diddlety-poppity-pin!

_Riddle_:

Four fingers and a thumb, Yet flesh and bone have I none.

_A glove_

WORK AND PLAY

Mother made Betty’s everyday dress.

She bought a pattern and laid it on the cloth.

She cut it out and basted it.

When it was basted, Mother called Betty.

“Come, Betty,” said Mother. “I want to fit your dress.”

“You are a dressmaker today, Mother,” said Betty. “I’m a fine lady that has come to have a dress fitted.”

“Then you must stand very still, Betty, while I fit your dress.”

When the dress was fitted, Betty said, “Now I’ll play I’m a dressmaker. This is my shop. Come, Bobby. Be a fine lady. Let me make you a dress.”

“I don’t want to be a fine lady,” said Bobby. “I don’t want a dress. I’m a tailor. This is my shop.”

“You can’t make a suit of clothes,” said Betty.

“I can make an apron,” said Bobby. “See, Teddy-bear is a shoemaker. I’ll make the shoemaker an apron.”

Mother gave them some pieces of cloth.

She gave each a needle and thread.

They played Bobby was a tailor and Betty a dressmaker.

_For study and play_:

When I was a dressmaker, a dressmaker, a dressmaker, When I was a dressmaker, a dressmaker was I. It was this way, and that way, And this way, and that way, Oh, when I was a dressmaker, a dressmaker was I.

When I was a tailor, a tailor, a tailor, When I was a tailor, a tailor was I. It was this way, and that way, And this way, and that way, Oh, when I was a tailor, a tailor was I.

“Sing, sing!” “What shall I sing?” “The cat ran away with my apron string!”

_Game_:

Thread the needle to begin, Sometimes out and sometimes in. Tailor’s blind and cannot see, So thread the tailor’s needle.

THE SCISSORS-GRINDER

“My scissors are dull,” said Mother, when she began to cut out Betty’s aprons. “I wish the scissors-grinder would come.”

“He is coming,” said Bobby. “I hear his bell.”

“That sounds like his bell,” said Mother. “Look out, Bobby, and see if it really is the scissors-grinder.”

“It is the scissors-grinder!” cried Bobby. “He is coming down the back street.”

They looked out and saw the scissors-grinder.

He was carrying his grindstone on his back and playing a tune with his bell.

“Call him, Bobby,” said Mother.

The scissors-grinder was quick to see Bobby.

Before Bobby had time to call, he had turned in toward the back door.

He swung his grindstone from his back and set it on the ground.

“Will you please sharpen my scissors?” asked Mother.

The scissors-grinder took the scissors in his hand.

Then “Whir-r-r, whir-r-r, whir-r-r,” went the grindstone. Sparks flew from the whirring stone.

Bobby and Betty stepped back. They were afraid of the grindstone.

“Any knives to grind?” asked the scissors-man when the scissors were ground.

“Yes,” answered Mother. “I wish you would grind this knife.”

Again the wheel went, “Whir-r-r, whir-r-r, whir-r-r.”

Again sparks flew from the grindstone.

Then the man gave Mother the knife, and she paid him for his work.

The scissors-grinder now swung his grindstone on his back. Again he rang his bell.

Bobby and Betty watched the scissors-grinder until he turned a street corner.

_For study and play_:

Have you any old knives to grind? And scissors to grind, too? Bring them out, my pretty dears, I’ll make them look like new.

MOTHER BUYS BETTY A NEW HAT

One day Mother read some verses to Bobby and Betty.

She read “Little Blue Apron.”

“Is that ‘Little Blue Apron’?” asked Betty.

“Yes, dear,” answered Mother. “If I don’t get you a new hat soon, you will be like ‘Little Blue Apron.’”

“I like ‘Little Blue Apron,’” said Betty.

“But I should like to have a new hat, Mother.”

“I will get you a hat,” said Mother. “We will go to the milliner’s shop today.”

When afternoon came, Mother said, “Bobby, be a good boy. Stay and play with baby.”

Then Mother and Betty went down the street to the milliner’s shop.

When they reached the shop, they stood and looked at the hats in the window.

“Those are ladies’ hats,” said Mother. “Let’s go in.”

“Do you wish a hat for yourself, Madam?” asked the milliner.

“Not today,” answered Mother. “Please show us some hats for little girls.”

“That is a pretty hat,” said Betty.

“It’s pretty, but it won’t wear well,” said Mother.

“How do you like this hat?” asked the milliner.

“That is better,” said Mother. “I like the shape.”

“It’s very becoming,” said the milliner when she put the hat on Betty’s head.

“How do you like it, Betty?” asked Mother.

“I like it,” answered Betty.

“It’s a nice hat for a little girl,” said Mother. “It will match your dress.”

“Will you buy it for me, Mother?” asked Betty.

“Yes, dear,” answered Mother.

Mother paid the milliner for the hat.

The milliner put the hat in a paper bag and handed it to Mother.

“Thank you,” said the milliner. “Come in again.”

“Thank you,” said Mother. “We shall be glad to come again.”

On the way home, they stopped at a candy store. Mother bought three sticks of candy.

Then Mother and Betty went home to Bobby and baby Billy.

_For study and play_:

“Little Blue Apron, Never a hat. How do you manage To do like that?”

“Why, what is the use Of a hat?” said she. “You never wear hats When you’re by the sea.”

—AN OLD STORY BOOK

H was a hat Which was all on one side; Its crown was too high, And its brim was too wide. Oh, what a hat!

V was a veil With a border upon it, And a ribbon to tie it All round a pink bonnet Pretty green veil!

—EDWARD LEAR

FATHER BUYS BOBBY A NEW HAT

Betty showed her new hat to Father.

“That’s a very nice hat,” said Father. “Did Mother buy one for Bobby?”

“No, Daddy,” said Betty. “Mother and I went to the milliner’s shop. The milliner doesn’t have hats for boys as big as Bobby.”

“That’s so,” said Father. “Bobby can get a good hat at the dry-goods store.”

“Won’t you take him there in the morning?” asked Mother.

“Yes,” said Father. “I’ll take him with me tomorrow morning. I pass the store on my way to work.”

Bobby knew nothing about going until the next morning.

Then Mother said, “Bobby, Father says you may go with him this morning.”

“Good!” cried Bobby. “That will be fun. Daddy, where are we going?”

“To the dry-goods store,” answered Father.

“Is that the store where I got my new suit?” asked Bobby.

“Yes, Bobby,” answered Father. “We will see if we can find a hat in the store for a boy of your size.”

“It’s for me, Daddy, isn’t it?” asked Bobby.

“Have you been a good boy?” asked Father.

“When Betty went with Mother to get her hat, I stayed with baby,” said Bobby. “I played with him.”

“That’s a good boy,” said Father. “I think we can find a hat for you in the dry-goods store.”

“I am sure we can, Daddy. They have ever so many things in the dry-goods store.”

When Father and Bobby went into the store, a salesman asked, “What can I show you?”

“Boys’ hats,” replied Father.

The salesman showed Father and Bobby the way to the place where boys’ hats were kept.

Bobby tried one on.

“That’s too small,” said Father. “Find a larger one for him.”

“This hat is larger,” said Bobby.

“How does it feel?” asked Father.

“All right,” said Bobby.

“I’ll take the hat,” said Father.

Father paid the salesman for Bobby’s hat.

Then he turned to Bobby and said, “Take your hat, young man. Now run home.”

_For study and play_:

Baby shall have a new bonnet, And baby shall go to the fair. And baby shall have a blue ribbon To tie up his bonny brown hair.

_Riddles_:

There’s a garden that I ken, Full of little gentlemen, Little caps of blue they wear, And green ribbons very fair.

_Flax_

What goes up when the rain comes down?

_An umbrella_

BOBBY LEARNS WHY MEN LIFT THEIR HATS

Bobby ran home with his new hat.

He showed it to Mother.

“That’s a nice hat for a little man,” said Mother. “You are old enough now to lift your hat when you meet a friend on the street.”

“Why should I lift my hat, Mother?” asked Bobby.

“Gentlemen always lift their hats,” said Mother.

“Daddy does,” said Bobby. “I’ll ask him to tell me about it.”

That night Bobby asked, “Daddy, why do men lift their hats?”

“Sit down,” said Father. “I’ll tell you about it.”

Bobby and Betty drew up their chairs.

“A long, long time ago,” said Father, “there were knights who dressed in full armor.”

“I’ve seen pictures of them,” said Bobby. “Mother showed us a picture of a knight in full armor.”

“In those days,” added Father, “it was not safe for a knight to go out unless he was dressed in full armor. But when a knight was among his friends, he took off his helmet.”

“Why did he take off his helmet?” asked Bobby.

“He was among friends,” answered Daddy. “It was safe to do it. And so when a knight took off his helmet, he the same as said, ‘I am in the presence of friends.’”

“That was a nice way to say it,” said Betty.

“Yes, dear,” said Father. “And a man has a nice way of saying about the same thing.”

“What is a man’s nice way of saying the same thing, Father?” asked Bobby.

“It is by lifting his hat,” answered Father.

“What does he say when he lifts his hat?” asked Bobby.

“When a man lifts his hat, it’s a way of saying, ‘I am in the presence of friends.’”

“That’s a good story,” said Bobby. “I like it.”

“Put on your hat, my little man,” said Father. “Play you are walking on the street. Betty, play you are a friend.”

Bobby put on his hat and walked up and down the room. Soon Betty met him. Bobby lifted his hat as he passed her.

“Well done, young man,” said Father. “Now tell me what you meant to say when you lifted your hat.”

“I am in the presence of a friend,” said Bobby. “That’s what I meant to say.”

_For study and play_:

Politeness is to do and say, The kindest thing in the kindest way.

If a body meet a body Coming through the town, If a body greet a body, Need a body frown?

—SELECTED

There was an old man of Brest, Who was always funnily drest. He wore gloves on his nose, And a hat on his toes, And a boot in the midst of his chest.

—COSMO MONKHOUSE

THE LAUNDRY MAN

Bobby has a blue laundry bag in his closet.

Betty has a yellow laundry bag in her closet.

They put their soiled clothes in their laundry bags.

Sometimes Mother sends soiled clothes to the laundry.

The laundryman calls for them.

Bobby and Betty fold the clothes before the laundryman comes.

Mother ties them in a neat bundle.

She gives the bundle to the laundryman when he calls for the clothes.

A few days later the laundryman brings back a bundle of clean clothes.

He gives Mother the bill for the laundry, and she pays him for the work.

Bobby and Betty help Mother put the clean clothes away.

Then they play laundryman.

They hitch Queen to the cart and call for Dolly’s and Teddy-bear’s clothes.

They play they wash and iron the clothes.

Then they bring them back to Teddy-bear and Dolly.

_For study and play_:

Does the laundryman ever call at your house?

Does your mother make a list of the clothes she sends to the laundry?

Cleanliness is next to godliness.

Who hath a good trade Through all waters may wade.

AT THE BARBER’S SHOP

Sometimes Father goes to the barber’s shop.

Sometimes Bobby and Betty go.

The barber cuts their hair.

One morning Father said to Bobby, “Your hair is too long. You should go to the barber and have him cut it.”

“All right,” said Bobby.

“Betty’s hair should be cut,” said Mother. “It is getting too long for a little girl.”

“May we go to the barber today?” asked Betty.

“Yes, dear,” answered Mother.

That afternoon Mother took the children to the barber’s shop.

There was a big pole in front of the shop.

“That is his sign,” said Bobby.

“How do you know?” asked Betty.

“Daddy said so,” answered Bobby.

The barber met them at the door.

“How do you do?” said he.

“Very well, thank you,” said Mother.

Bobby and Betty said, “How do you do?”

“What can I do for you today?” asked the barber.

“Please, Mr. Barber, I want my hair cut,” said Betty.

“I want my hair cut,” said Bobby.

“Very well,” said the barber. “Lay off your things, children. Madam, be seated. Here is a chair, little boy. Come, little girl, sit in this big chair.”

Betty stepped forward and the barber helped her get into the big chair.

He put a towel around Betty’s neck.

He took out a comb and a pair of shears and began to cut Betty’s hair.

Once Betty dodged.

“Sit still, little girl, sit still,” said the barber. “I shall not hurt you.”

Betty tried to sit very still.

Her hair was soon cut.

“Shall I curl it?” asked the barber.

“Yes, please,” said Betty. “I like curly hair.”

When Bobby took the chair, he said, “I don’t want any curls.”

“That’s right,” said the barber. “You are too big to have your hair curled.”

When the barber had cut Bobby’s hair, Mother paid him for his work.

Then they all went home to get dinner ready for Father.

_For study and play_:

Good morning, Mr. Barber Man, You see I’m here quite early; I want my hair cut, if you please, But oh, sir, cut it curly.

There was a little girl who had a little curl Right in the middle of her forehead. And when she was good, she was very, very good, But when she was bad, she was horrid.

—UNKNOWN

_Riddle_:

I don’t have it, I don’t want it, If I had it I wouldn’t take the world for it.

_A bald head_

THE BROOM MAN

One day the broom man came down the street.

“Brooms, brooms, brooms!” called the broom man.

“Come and buy. Come and buy a broom!”

“Mother! Mother!” called Bobby and Betty. “Don’t you want to buy a broom?”

“Yes,” said Mother. “My old broom is wearing out. I need a new broom.”

Bobby called to the broom man, and he came to the back door.

Mother bought a new broom.

She paid the broom man eighty cents.

Then he went down the street calling, “Brooms, brooms, brooms!”

“Let me sweep with the new broom,” said Bobby.

Mother let Bobby sweep the back porch.

“Now it’s my turn to sweep,” said Betty.

“You may sweep the steps,” said Mother.

Betty worked very hard.

She wanted to sweep the steps clean.

“I could sweep better, Mother, if I were a little bigger,” said Betty. “I wish the broom was not so big.”

“This broom is too big for a little girl,” said Mother.

“Some day I will buy you a smaller broom.”

“Oh, thank you, Mother,” said Betty. “Buy me a little broom.”

“You shall have a little broom,” said Mother. “And tonight I will teach you and Bobby a song about broom girls who sold little brooms.”

_For study and play_:

The broom man maketh his living most sweet, With carrying brooms from street to street; Who would desire a pleasanter thing, Than all the day long to do nothing but sing, “New brooms, green brooms, will you buy any? Come maidens, come quickly, let me make a penny”?

A new broom sweeps clean. Sweep before your own door.

Buy a big broom for lady, And a little broom for baby.

_Riddles_:

Round the house and round the house, and yet stands in the corner.

_A broom_

That which flies high and flies low, has no feet, yet wears shoes.

_Dust_

THE SONG OF THE DUTCH BROOM SELLER

From Dutchland I come with my fine brooms all laden, So, Mistress and Maiden, will you please buy a broom? Buy a broom! Buy a broom! I’ve a large one for a lady And a small one for a baby, So, all you kind ladies, Will you please buy a broom? Buy a broom! Buy a broom! Buy a broom! Buy a broom!

THE BALLOON MAN

“O Betty!” cried Bobby. “The balloon man is coming. I can hear his horn.”

“I can see him,” said Betty. “Just look!”

“My!” said Bobby. “Aren’t they pretty? I wish I could have a red balloon.”

“Let’s ask Mother if we can buy one,” said Betty.

Bobby ran and Betty ran, but Betty ran the faster.

“O Mother!” cried Betty. “Please give me ten cents. I want to buy a balloon.”

“Please give me ten cents,” said Bobby. “I want to buy a red balloon. Just look at it, Mother!”

“You have been good children today,” said Mother. “You may each buy a balloon.”

Mother gave each of them ten cents and they ran out to the street.

The balloon man saw them coming and cried, “Balloons! Will you buy a balloon?”

“Please, sir,” said Bobby. “I will buy that red balloon. How much is it?”

“Ten cents,” answered the balloon man.

“Here is a dime,” said Bobby.

“Take hold of the string, little boy,” said the man. “Don’t let it get away from you.”

“Please, sir,” said Betty. “I want to buy a balloon.”

“Which one will you have, little girl?” asked the balloon man.

“I want a yellow balloon, if you please,” said Betty. “Here is a dime.”

The balloon man took the dime and said, “Be careful, Miss. Keep hold of the string.”

_For study and play_:

Now boys, now girls, come buy a balloon, ’Twill fly so swiftly up to the moon; Come buy them, blue, red, yellow, or green, ’Tis the prettiest toy that ever was seen.

K was a Kite Which flew out of sight Above houses so high, Quite into the sky. Fly away Kite!

—EDWARD LEAR

BOBBY AND BETTY FOLLOW THE HAND-ORGAN MAN

“Listen!” said Bobby. “Is that the band?”

“Let’s go and see,” said Betty.

Bobby and Betty ran out to the street.

A hand-organ man was coming.

He had been playing up the street and now was coming near.

“Let’s go and hear him play,” said Bobby.

“All right,” said Betty.

So Bobby and Betty ran up the street.

All the children in the block came out.

Some of them danced and clapped their hands while the hand-organ man played.

The organ man kept looking up at the windows.