When visitors are present, we must be sure to behave as well as at other times. If reading or singing is going on, we should pass them a book, handing it properly, and should treat them as politely as if they were at our houses. When the teacher is engaged with company, we should not disturb her with unnecessary questions, but busy ourselves until she is at liberty.

To raise hands when it can be avoided is an impolite interruption of school work, and is as rude as talking too much in company. To raise the hand when a teacher or scholar is speaking is the same thing as to interrupt them with a remark or question.

We must respect the rights of property. It is wrong to take a garment, book, or other article before or after school without asking permission. If anything is borrowed, it should be returned promptly with thanks.

If we are distributing materials to the class, we should hand articles quietly and politely to each in turn, and in collecting never snatch a book or paper.

When a number of scholars are waiting for a drink at recess, we sometimes see them crowd and push one another, each trying to serve himself first. It makes us think of cattle at a watering-trough. The cattle know no better, but boys and girls do. The polite way is for each to stand back and wait his turn. This is not only the pleasantest but the quickest way for all to be satisfied. If boys and girls are waiting together, every gentlemanly boy will wait for

MANNERS AT SCHOOL.

17

the girls to drink first, and the girls should accept his politeness in a polite manner.

The same remark applies to conduct in the dressing-room before school. Scholars should quietly wait for others to hang up clothing and use the looking-glass, instead of pushing forward to secure the first chance.

These early habits of courtesy or rudeness will cling to us through life. When we see people rushing for the best seats in cars or steamboats, and crowding others aside at counters and railroad restaurants, we may be reasonably sure they are those who, when boys and girls at school, pushed others away from the looking-glass and the drinking place.

In speaking of occurrences, we must not say, I and James went." We ought to speak of ourselves last in all cases, except where mischief has been done, when we should relate our own share first.

LESSON III.

OUTLINE FOR BLACKBOARD.

MANNERS ON THE STREET.

Why especially important.

Noisy and boisterous conduct.

Calling to any one across the street.

Obstructing the sidewalk.

Meeting and passing persons, crossing

over, and taking leave.

Returning salutations.

Carrying an umbrella,

Eating in the street.

Throwing things on the sidewalk.

Marking walls and fences.

Looking at windows of private houses

and pointing at objects.

Staring at or laughing at infirmities.

Answering questions.

Offering assistance. Incidents.