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Show Why Mary lll.l Not Sing. An able, but easily embarrassed and somewhat absent-minded youug teacher teach-er was about to begin a singing lesson day -when a knock nt tho schoolroom door Interrupted proceedings. The teacher went to the door nnd ushered In a delegation from a prominent local woman's club. When the ladles were comfortably seated and ench had assumed as-sumed n critical, listening attitude the teacher resumed the singing lesson. It was one of her most stringent rules of action that when company was present everything should go on exactly ex-actly as usual. One of her pupils, Mary nolmes, a somewhat shy girl, had a good alto voice, and tho tenchcr was anxious that she should display It to advantage. advan-tage. "Now, Mary," she said encouragingly, encouraging-ly, "when I count four you be sure to elng. Attention, chlldrenl" raising her baton. "One, two, three ready-sing!" ready-sing!" Tho children sang lustily, but Mnry's alto voice wns missing. "I didn't hear your voice that time, Mary. Itemember, when I count four you nro to sing. Next verse, chlldrenl One, two " Mary watched tho motion mo-tion of tho teacher's lips anxiously "throe! Bendy-sing!" The children's shrill treble rang out unaided by Mary's strong alto. "Don't you feel llko singing, Mary? Try this verse, now one, two, three. Well, what is it?" Mary had risen and wcb shyly twist-Ing twist-Ing her lingers. "Please, Miss Brooks," sho said breathlessly, "you told mo to sing when you counted four, and you only count Just to three every timer-Youth's timer-Youth's Companion. |