For what two words does each contraction in the above sentences stand? Rewrite the sentences, supplying these words.

Contractions of this kind are used by cultivated people both in speaking and writing, and are correct because they are simply a shortened form of the two words which one would correctly use in the sentence. There are some contractions, however, that are often heard, but that are incorrect, and are not used by educated people. Perhaps the most common word thus used is ain't.

Ain't is not a shortened form of any two words in the languagé, and it certainly is not an actual word in itself, so we have no excuse for using it. Do not say, "I ain't going;" "Ain't you coming?” "She ain't studied her lesson;""Ain't he working?" Say instead, "I'm not going;" "Aren't you coming?" "She hasn't studied her

lesson; "Isn't he working?"

Written Exercise. In the sentences given below you might be tempted to say ain't. Substitute for it one of the following: I'm not, isn't, aren't, hasn't, haven't.

1. he lucky! 2. I finished your book? 4. She

going to the circus. 3. as old as she looks. she pretty! 7. The boys play. 8. He learned his lesson yet. 9. It

ready to go. 6.

10. I'm older than my sister, but I as big.

you

5. They

going to

very hard.

Say the correct form over and over aloud until it sounds right and natural.

Note. The contraction "hain't " is sometimes used for "hasn't" or "haven't," but it is as incorrect as "ain't."

Word Study: Exercise 1.-Write five sentences of your own, using I'm not; five, using he isn't; five, using she isn't; five, using they aren't; five, using you aren't.

2. Write five sentences of your own, using he hasn't; five, using she hasn't; five, using they haven't; five, using you haven't; five, using it isn't.

21

THE BINDING OF FENRIR

LOKI, the wicked, had a fierce son, Fenrir, half wolf, half god. To Tyr, the brave and strong-handed, Odin assigned the task of feeding Fenrir, and watching him, lest, in his cruel strength, he should injure any who were unable to defend themselves. And truly it was a grand 5 sight, and one that Odin loved, to see the two together, when, in the evening after the feast was over in Valhalla, Fenrir came prowling to Tyr's feet to receive his food from the one hand strong enough to quell him. Tyr stood up in his calm strength like a tall, sheltering rock in which 10 the timid sea birds find a home; and Fenrir roared and howled round him like the bitter, destroying wave that slowly undermines its base.

Time passed on. Tyr had reached the prime of his strength; but Fenrir went on growing, not so rapidly as 15 to awaken fear, but slowly, surely, continually—a little stronger and a little fiercer every day.

The gods had become accustomed to his presence; the gentlest lady in Asgard no longer turned from the sight of his fierce mouth and fiery eyes; they talked to each 20 other about the smallest things, and every daily event was commented on and wondered about; but no one said anything of Fenrir, or noticed how gradually he grew, or

how the glad air and the strong food, which gave valor and strength to a god, could only develop with greater rapidity the fierceness and the cruelty of a wolf. And they would have gone on living securely together while the monster grew and grew, if it had not been that Odin's 5 one eye saw more clearly than the eyes of his brothers and children.

One evening, as he stood in the court of Valhalla, watching Tyr as he gave Fenrir his evening meal, a sudden cloud of care fell on the placid face of All-Father, 10 and when the wolf, having satisfied his hunger, crouched back to his lair, he called together a council of the gods; and, after pointing out to them the evil which they had allowed to grow up among them unnoticed, he asked their counsel as to the best way of overcoming it before it 15 became too strong to withstand.

"One

Thor, always ready, was the first to answer. would think," he said, "to hear the grave way in which you speak, Father Odin, that there was no such thing as a smithy near Asgard, or that I, Thor, had no power to 20 forge mighty weapons, and had never made my name known as the conqueror and binder of monsters. Set your mind at rest. Before to-morrow evening at this time. I will have forged a chain with which you shall bind Fenrir; and, once bound in a chain of my workmanship, 25 there will be nothing further to fear from him."

The assembled gods applauded Thor's speech; but the

cloud did not pass away from Odin's brow. "You have done many mighty deeds, Son Thor," he said; "but, if I mistake not, this binding of Fenrir will prove a task too difficult even for you.

5 Thor made no answer; but he seized Miolnir, and, with sounding steps, strode to the smithy. All night long the mighty blows rang on the anvil, and the roaring bellows breathed a hot blast over all the hill of Asgard. None of the gods slept that night; but every now and then 10 one or other of them came to cheer Thor at his work. Sometimes Frey brought his bright face into the dusky smithy; sometimes Tyr entreated permission to strike a stout blow; sometimes Bragi seated himself among the workers, and, with his eyes fixed on the glowing iron, 15 poured forth a hero song, to which the blows kept time.

There was also another guest, who, at intervals, made his presence known. By the light of the fire the evil form of Fenrir was seen prowling round in the darkness, and every now and then a fiendish, mocking laugh filled 20 the pauses of the song, and the wind, and the hammer.

All that night and the next day Thor labored and Fenrir watched, and, at the time of the evening meal, Thor strode triumphantly into Father Odin's presence, and laid before him Læding, the strongest chain that had 25 ever yet been forged on earth. The gods passed it from one to another, and wondered at its immense length and its twisted links.