Read the selection and choose the best answer to each
question.
Somebody's Mother
by Mary Down Brine
(1)andensp;The woman was old and ragged and gray
andemsp;andemsp;And bent with the chill of the winter's day.
andemsp;andemsp;The street was wet with a recent snow
andemsp;andemsp;And the woman's feet were aged and slow.
(5)andensp;She stood at the crossing and waited long
andemsp;andemsp;Alone, uncared for, amid the throng
andemsp;andemsp;Of human beings who passed her by
andemsp;andemsp;Nor heeded the glance of her anxious eye.
andemsp;andemsp;Down the street, with laughter and shout,
(10)Glad in the freedom of "school let out,"
andemsp;andemsp;Came the boys like a flock of sheep,
andemsp;andemsp;Hailing the snow piled white and deep.
andemsp;andemsp;Past the woman so old and gray
andemsp;andemsp;Hastened the children on their way.
(15)Nor offered a helping hand to her-
andemsp;andemsp;So meek, so timid, afraid to stir
andemsp;andemsp;Lest the carriage wheels or horses' feet
andemsp;andemsp;Should crowd her down in the slippery street.
andemsp;andemsp;At last came the merry troop,
(20)The happiest laddie of all the group;
andemsp;andemsp;He paused beside her and whispered low,
andemsp;andemsp;"I'll help you cross, if you wish to go."
andemsp;andemsp;Her aged hand on his strong arm
andemsp;andemsp;She placed, and so, without hurt or harm,
(25)He guided the trembling feet along,
andemsp;andemsp;Proud that his own were firm and strong.
andemsp;andemsp;Then back again to his friends he went,
andemsp;andemsp;His young heart happy and well content.
andemsp;andemsp;"She's somebody's mother, boys, you know,
(30)For all she's aged and poor and slow,"
andemsp;andemsp;"And I hope some fellow will lend a hand
andemsp;andemsp;To help my mother you understand,
andemsp;andemsp;"If ever she's poor and old and gray,
andemsp;andemsp;When her own dear boy is far away."
(35)And "somebody's mother" bowed low her head
andemsp;andemsp;In her home that night, and the prayer she said
andemsp;andemsp;Was "God be kind to the noble boy,
andemsp;andemsp;Who is somebody's son, and pride and joy!"