1. Review. Oral Composition.

See how much you can remember about Jess and her owner, then read the story again (page 212).

Be ready to tell the story in class. Tell it as if you were telling it to some one who had never heard of Mr. Jones or Jess.

2. Reading Lesson

If you cannot decide what difficult words mean from the way they are used, look for help in the word studies that follow the lesson.

The Story Of Jess (Continued)

I have said that Jess had a will of her own. Only once in all our intercourse did this will triumph over the spirit of obedience. She had espied the windmill afar off; we had already made our twenty miles, and it was nearing noon. We were both thinking of dinner. We stopped to drink near a magnificent barn, but a miserable house. The air was fragrant with the smell of new-mown hay, but the aroma from the kitchen was not so pleasant. The outlook for Jess was most satisfactory; for her rider it was dubious; and he concluded to push on. To the intense disappointment of his silent friend, he started on afoot. Without a word of apology or command, he passed out of the yard, through the gate, into the road, and then looked back. Jess had not started; she was looking wistfully into the barn. I spoke to her; she shook her head impatiently and took a few steps toward the barn. I called authoritatively. It was an important moment; the haymakers were watching us, much amused and expecting that I would have to back down and return for my horse. I started on down the road, and to their surprise and my great relief, Jess, with drooping head and spiritless gait, reluctantly turned to the road and followed, like a sulky child, a long way behind.

All this time I felt that the outcome was still dubious, but I walked on, hoping she would forget the barn. A hot quarter of a mile of dusty road, and then came the shady woods, at the edge of which I meant to mount and hurry along to wherever our dinner might be. Jess was a long way behind, six or eight rods. When I stopped, she stopped; and when I spoke, instead of the usual prompt response, she shook her head. We stood a full moment, both suffering acutely from different anxieties. I did not want to be beaten, or to lose my horse; she did not want to disobey, neither did she want to lose her dinner. I called in vain, and when I started to go towards her the strong will of the horse triumphed; she turned and with a brisk trot retraced the quarter of a mile of dusty road and entered the barn. I followed sheepishly, too much amused to be angry. The farmer greeted me afar with a jeer, "That's the time you got left, sir, I think." I thought Jess would appear guilty and somewhat afraid of me, but there was no sign of either. With her mouth full of delicious clover, she turned her bright eyes upon me in perfect satisfaction, and said as plainly as a horse could say: "Don't be a fool now. Take this bit out of my mouth, and you go and get your dinner." I did not punish and I did not have my own way, but gracefully surrendered and took Jess's advice. The confident way in which she expected me to show good sense as well as good nature is a source of pride and satisfaction to me to this day.

Says Colonel Dodge, "Never solicit a battle with a horse, but when it is on, never give up unless you want to lose your power over that horse ever after." I violated the colonel's rule. The penalty did not follow. Jess and I never alluded to that matter again, and I think our respect for each other was increased by the experience. A thousand similar temptations came afterward. She followed me for hundreds of miles under trying circumstances, but she never deserted me again. My pathway through life has been lined with friends, good and true, helpers faithful and loyal. I am ungrateful to none of them when I put my loving and loyal Jess alongside of and with the most faithful of my friends.

3. Word Studies

Intercourse, dealings. Triumph over, win a victory over. Aroma generally means a pleasant odor. Do you think it has that meaning here? Dubious, doubtful, uncertain. Apology, excuse. Wistfully, wishfully. Authoritatively, commandingly. Reluctantly, unwillingly. Response, reply. Acutely, sharply. What anxieties did Mr. Jones have?

What ones did Jess have? Which was the stronger of hers? What decided this, or turned the scales?

Jeer, scornful remark. What was the farmer's jeer?

Gracefully surrendered, gave up without making a fuss.

Solicit, seek, look for.

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Penalty, punishment. What punishment did not follow? Alluded to, spoke of. Loyal, about the same as faithful.

4. Oral Composition

1. Describe the barn as you imagine it.

2. Tell why you think Mr. Jones did or did not show good sense.

5. Written Composition

Read the story again slowly, and, as you read, keep putting yourself in Jess's place. Write the story as if Jess were telling it.