From the preface: “In the fourth book, the Lippincott series of Readers has reached the point where it begins to place before the pupils, selections from real literature. Realizing that the change from material that has been almost wholly adapted to their use to such as retains practically its original literary form will give young readers some difficulty to overcome, the authors have tried to keep the reading matter of this book as full of child interest as possible in order that this may act as a stimulus.