LESSON 40-DOUBLE PLURALS: PLURALS SAME AS 1. Double Plurals. A few nouns have two plural forms. however, are generally used differently. in the following list: These two forms, Study the words .brothers or brethren pennies or pence A few nouns have the same form for both singular and plural. Study the following words and be prepared to write them from your teacher's dictation: A few words indicating number, such as dozen, score, hundred, thousand, million, etc., are used in the singular form when preceded by an adjective indicating number; as, three dozen eggs, not three dozens eggs. Notice, however, that the plural form is used for words indicating quantity; as, bushel, quart, etc. (three bushels of corn). 3. Plurals of Proper Nouns. We Mr. John Martin has a brother, James Martin. may speak of them as the Messrs. Martin or as the Mr. Martins. We may refer to their wives as the Mrs. Martins or as Mesdames Martin. Mrs. John Martin has two daughters. We speak of them as the Misses Martin. Mr. Martin....Messrs. Martin or the Mr. Martins. Mrs. Martin... Mesdames Martin or the Mrs. Martins. Miss Martin...the Misses Martin (sometimes the Miss Martins). 4. Written Exercise. Study the preceding forms, and be prepared to write sentences containing the plurals of each of the following: It was at sunset in autumn that we were set ashore on that loneliest, lovely rock, where the lighthouse looked down on us like some tall, blackcapped giant, and filled me with awe and wonder. At its base a few goats were grouped on the rock, standing out dark against the red sky as I looked up at them. The stars began to twinkle; the wind blew cold, charged with the sea's sweetness; the sound of many waters half bewildered Some one began to light the lamps in the tower. Rich red and golden, they swung around in mid-air. Everything was strange and fascinating and new. We entered the quaint little old stone cottage that was for six years our home. How curious it seemed, with its low, whitewashed ceiling and deep windowseats, showing the great thickness of the walls made to withstand the breakers, with whose force we soon grew acquainted! me. A blissful home the little house became to the children who entered it that quiet evening and slept for the first time lulled by the murmur of the encircling sea. I do not think a happier triad ever existed than we were, living in that profound isola tion. It takes so little to make a healthy child happy; and we never wearied of our resources. True, the winters seemed as long as a whole year to our little minds, but they were pleasant, nevertheless. Into the deep window seats we climbed, and with pennies (for which we had no other use) made round holes in the thick frost, breathing on them till they were warm, and peeped out at the bright, fierce, windy weather, watching the vessels scudding over the intensely dark blue sea, all "featherwhite" where the short waves broke hissing in the cold, and the seafowl soaring aloft or tossing on the water; or, in calmer days, we saw how the stealthy Star-Islander paddled among the ledges, or lay for hours stretched on the wet seaweed, with his gun, watching for wild fowl. Sometimes the round head of a seal moved about among the kelp-covered rocks. We were forced to lay in stores of all sorts in the autumn, as if we were fitting out a ship for an Arctic expedition. The lower story of the lighthouse was hung with mutton and beef, and the storeroom packed with provisions. In the long, covered walk that bridged the gorge between the lighthouse and the house, we played in stormy days; and every evening it was a fresh excitement to watch the lighting of the lamps, and think how far the lighthouse sent its rays, and how many hearts it gladdened with assurance of safety. As I grew older I was allowed to kindle the lamps sometimes myself. That was indeed a pleasure. I lit the lamps in the lighthouse tower, For the sun dropped down and the day was dead; Ten golden and five red. We hardly saw a human face besides our own all winter; but with the spring came manifold life to our lonely dwelling human life among other forms. Our neighbors from Star Island rowed across; the pilot boat from Portsmouth steered over and brought us letters, newspapers, and magazines, and told us the news of months. Once or twice every year came the black, lumbering old "oil schooner" that brought supplies for the lighthouse, and the inspector, who gravely examined everything to see if all was in order. He left stacks of clear red and white glass chimneys for the lamps, and several doeskins for polishing the great silverlined copper reflectors, large bundles of wicks, and various pairs of scissors for trimming them, heavy black casks of ill-perfumed whale oil, and other things which were all stowed in the round, dimly-lighted rooms of the tower. Very awestruck, we children always crept into the corners and whispered and watched the intruders till they embarked in their ancient, clumsy vessel, and, hoisting their dark, weather-stained sails, bore slowly away again. 2. Study of Selection. - Celia Thaxter. Prepare a list of questions on the thoughts expressed in this selection. Celia Thaxter's father, Thomas Leighton, became keeper of the White Island lighthouse, opposite Portsmouth, N. H., in 1839. Celia was then five years old. The "triad" of which she speaks consisted of herself and her two brothers, Oscar and Cedric. Look at the picture on page 55. Using the subject, "Life in a Lighthouse," tell in writing why you think you would enjoy, or would not enjoy, such a life. Test your work by the form given on page 5. 1. Development. LESSON 44 THE VERB Each of the predicates you selected in Lesson 38 contains a word, or two words, of greater importance than any other part of the predicate. What do you think is the most important word in the predicate of the following sentence? The most important word in this predicate is the word that asserts something about We. The asserting word in this predicate is flit. Learn: orto action A word used to assert is called a verb. |