"Take your seat, Helen; you have done splendidly, my little girl!" "Now, Teddy Maynard, it's your turn," said Marjorie.
"After Jacky," declared Mr.Maynard, and nothing would induce him to precede his friend.
"Mine is about a visit I paid to the Zoo," said Mr.Bryant, looking modest.

"I wrote it myself for a composition, but it turned out to be poetry.

I never can tell how my compositions are going to turn out." "Recite it," said Marjorie, "and we'll see if we like it." "It's about wild animals," went on Cousin Jack, "and it tells of their habits." "That's very nice," said King, condescendingly; "go ahead, my boy." So Cousin Jack recited this poem: "THE WAYS OF THE WILD "There's nothing quite so nice to do As pay a visit to the zoo, And see beasts that, at different times, Were brought from strange and distant climes.
I love to watch the tapirs tape; I stand intent, with mouth agape.
Then I observe the vipers vipe; They're a most interesting type.
I love to see the beavers beave; Indeed, you scarcely would believe That they can beave so cleverly, Almost as well as you or me.
And then I pass along, and lo! Panthers are panthing to and fro.
And in the next cage I can see The badgers badging merrily.
Oh, the dear beasties at the zoo, What entertaining things they do!" "That's fine!" exclaimed Midget.

"I didn't know we were going to have a _real_ entertainment!" "Very good, Jacky!" pronounced King.

"I shall mark you ten in declamation.