Q: Two best friends lived in a small town. They grew up together and did everything together. One boy was named James, and he was a cute, fat kid who was always picked on. And then the other boy was named Alex, and he was handsome and cool. They were opposites, but they didn't care. Alex would always protect James from the bullies because James was weak.

One day, James was being teased by the bullies, Gordon and Johnny, but Alex wasn't there to save him. James didn't know what to do and was scared. But then he remembered all of the times Alex stood up for him. James looked up to Alex and he thought of him as his hero. James wanted to protect himself and not have Alex always come to help. So this time, James got up and was brave. He stood up to Gordon and Johnny and told them that he wasn't scared. The bullies didn't know what to do and then gave up. They went away to look for more fun things to do. Alex saw the whole thing and was proud of James for being brave.

Now James and Alex protect each other and stand up for each other. They still are the best of friends.

Answer the following questions:
1. Who are the best friends?
2. Who was fat?
3. Who protected him?
4. Was he there when James was bullied?
5. Who were the bullies?
6. Did James protect himself?
7. Was Alex proud of James?
8. Because the bullies did what?
9. Does James stand up for Alex now?
10. What is James now?
A: 1. James and Alex
2. James
3. Alex
4. no
5. Gordon and Johnny
6. yes
7. yes
8. gave up
9. yes
10. brave
Q: CHAPTER XXIII.

THE TOWN ORDINANCE.

The news which Dick carried to Sawyer was sufficient to create a great excitement in that naturally quiet little town. In addition to what looked like an attempted murder, was the fact that George Harnett, whom they had all respected before the conflagration, and admired after it, was the intended victim.

There was no need for Dick to urge that officers be sent to try to effect the capture of the scoundrels, for almost before he had finished telling the story, a large party of citizens started in search of the men, determined that they should answer for their crime.

Therefore, when Dick returned, it was with so large a following that the physicians rushed out in the greatest haste to insist on their keeping at a respectful distance from the house, lest the noise might affect their patient.

Bob and his partners were anxious to join in the search, and urged Ralph to accompany them, since he could do no good to George by remaining; but he refused to leave his friend, even though he could not aid him, and the party started without him, a look of determination on their faces that boded no good to the professed oil prospectors in case they should be caught.

During all of that night Ralph remained with George, listening to his delirious ravings, as he supposed he was still battling for his life with the men, and just at daybreak Bob returned alone. The search had been even more successful than any of the party had dared to hope for when they set out, for the men had been captured in the woods about four miles from the place where the assault had been made and in the pocket of one of them was the paper from which one corner had been left in George's hand.

Answer the following questions:
1. Who stayed with George?
2. When?
A: 1. Ralph
2. all of that night
Q: CHAPTER XIII.

On the next morning Michel Voss and his son met in the kitchen, and found Marie already there. 'Well, my girl,' said Michel, as he patted Marie's shoulder, and kissed her forehead, 'you've been up getting a rare breakfast for these fellows, I see.' Marie smiled, and made some good-humoured reply. No one could have told by her face that there was anything amiss with her. 'It's the last favour of the kind he'll ever have at your hands,' continued Michel, 'and yet he doesn't seem to be half grateful.' George stood with his back to the kitchen fire, and did not say a word. It was impossible for him even to appear to be pleasant when such things were being said. Marie was a better hypocrite, and, though she said little, was able to look as though she could sympathise with her uncle's pleasant mirth. The two men had soon eaten their breakfast and were gone, and then Marie was left alone with her thoughts. Would George say anything to his father of what had passed up-stairs on the previous evening?

The two men started, and when they were alone together, and as long as Michel abstained from talking about Marie and her prospects, George was able to converse freely with his father. When they left the house the morning was just dawning, and the air was fresh and sharp. 'We shall soon have the frost here now,' said Michel, 'and then there will be no more grass for the cattle.'

Answer the following questions:
1. Where did Michel meet someone?
2. Who was already there?
3. Who did he plan on meeting?
4. What was his name?
5. Did he seem thankful for breakfast?
6. Was he talkative?
7. What subject did Michel avoid talking about with George?
8. When did an event happen with Marie and George?
9. How was Michel related to Marie?
10. Who was described as a hypocrite?
11. When did the men leave home?
12. How was the weather?
13. What would the cattle soon lose?
14. Due to what?
A:
1. in the kitchen
2. Marie
3. his son
4. George
5. no
6. no
7. Marie and her prospects
8. the previous evening
9. he's her uncle
10. Marie
11. after breakfast
12. cool
13. grass
14. frost