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diff --git a/21861-h/21861-h.htm b/21861-h/21861-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5fbdc4c --- /dev/null +++ b/21861-h/21861-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3701 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Doll and Her Friends, by Anonymous + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + } + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; + clear: both; + } + + hr { width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + body { margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + } + + .pagenum { + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + } + + .center { text-align: center;} + .smcap { font-variant: small-caps;} + + .caption { font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter { margin: auto; text-align: center; margin-top: 40px; margin-bottom: 40px;} + + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Doll and Her Friends, by Unknown + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Doll and Her Friends + or Memoirs of the Lady Seraphina + +Author: Unknown + +Illustrator: Hablot K. Browne + +Release Date: June 18, 2007 [EBook #21861] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DOLL AND HER FRIENDS *** + + + + +Produced by David Edwards, Jana Srna and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The University of Florida, The Internet +Archive/Children's Library) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 398px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="398" height="550" alt="Cover" title="" /> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 441px; margin-top: 80px; margin-bottom: 80px;"> +<img src="images/frontispiece.png" width="441" height="600" alt="Frontispiece" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Page <a href="#Page_59">59</a>.</span> +</div> + +<h3>THE</h3> + +<h1>DOLL AND HER FRIENDS;</h1> + +<h4>OR</h4> + +<h2>Memoirs of the Lady Seraphina.</h2> + + + +<h3 style="margin-top: 80px; margin-bottom: 80px;">BY THE AUTHOR OF<br/> +"LETTERS FROM MADRAS,"<br/> +"HISTORICAL CHARADES,"<br/> +ETC. ETC.</h3> + + + +<h4 style="margin-bottom: 80px;">WITH FOUR ILLUSTRATIONS BY HABLOT K. BROWNE,<br/> +ENGRAVED BY BAKER AND SMITH.</h4> + + + +<h3>BOSTON:<br/> +TICKNOR, REED, AND FIELDS.</h3> + +<h4 style="margin-bottom: 40px;">MDCCCLII.</h4> + +<h4>PRINTED BY THURSTON, TORRY, AND EMERSON.</h4> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>PREFACE.</h2> + + +<p>My principal intention, or rather aim, in writing +this little Book, was to amuse Children by a story +founded on one of their favorite diversions, and to +inculcate a few such minor morals as my little plot +might be strong enough to carry; chiefly the domestic +happiness produced by kind tempers and consideration +for others. And further, I wished to say a +word in favor of that good old-fashioned plaything, +the Doll, which one now sometimes hears decried by +sensible people who have no children of their own.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h1>The Doll and Her Friends.</h1> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CHAPTER I.</h2> + + +<p>I belong to a race, the sole end of whose +existence is to give pleasure to others. None +will deny the goodness of such an end, and +I flatter myself most persons will allow that +we amply fulfil it. Few of the female sex +especially but will acknowledge, with either +the smile or the sigh called forth by early +recollections, that much of their youthful +happiness was due to our presence; and +some will even go so far as to attribute to +our influence many a habit of housewifery, +neatness, and industry, which ornaments +their riper years.</p> + +<p>But to our <em>influence</em>, our silent, unconscious +influence alone, can such advantages be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> +ascribed; for neither example nor precept +are in our power; our race cannot boast of +intellectual endowments; and though there +are few qualities, moral or mental, that have +not in their turn been imputed to us by +partial friends, truth obliges me to confess +that they exist rather in the minds of our +admirers than in our own persons.</p> + +<p>We are a race of mere dependents; some +might even call us slaves. Unable to change +our place, or move hand or foot at our own +pleasure, and forced to submit to every +caprice of our possessors, we cannot be said +to have even a will of our own. But every +condition has its share of good and evil, and +I have often considered my helplessness and +dependence as mere trifles compared with +the troubles to which poor sensitive human +beings are subject.</p> + +<p>Pain, sickness, or fatigue I never knew. +While a fidgetty child cannot keep still for +two minutes at a time, I sit contentedly for +days together in the same attitude; and I +have before now seen one of those irritable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> +young mortals cry at a scratch, while I was +hearing needles drawn in and out of every +part of my body, or sitting with a pin run +straight through my heart, calmly congratulating +myself on being free from the inconveniences +of flesh and blood.</p> + +<p>Of negative merits I possess a good share. +I am never out of humor, never impatient, +never mischievous, noisy, nor intrusive; and +though I and my fellows cannot lay claim to +brilliant powers either in word or deed, we +may boast of the same qualifications as our +wittiest king, for certainly none of us ever +'said a foolish thing,' if she 'never did a wise +one.'</p> + +<p>Personal beauty I might almost, without +vanity, call the 'badge of all our tribe.' Our +very name is seldom mentioned without the +epithet <em>pretty</em>; and in my own individual +case I may say that I have always been considered +pleasing and elegant, though others +have surpassed me in size and grandeur.</p> + +<p>But our most striking characteristic is our +power of inspiring strong attachment. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +love bestowed on us by our possessors is +proof against time, familiarity, and misfortune:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">'Age cannot wither' us, 'nor custom stale'<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Our 'infinite variety.'<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>With no trace of our original beauty left,—dress +in tatters, complexion defaced, features +undistinguishable, our very limbs mutilated, +the mere wreck of our former selves,—who +has not seen one of us still the delight and +solace of some tender young heart; the confidant +of its fancies, and the soother of its +sorrows; preferred to all newer claimants, +however high their pretensions; the still +unrivalled favorite, in spite of the laughter +of the nursery and the quiet contempt of the +schoolroom?</p> + +<p>Young and gentle reader, your sympathy +or your sagacity has doubtless suggested to +you my name. I am, as you guess, a <span class="smcap">Doll</span>; +and though not a doll of any peculiar pretensions, +I flatter myself that my life may not +be quite without interest to the young lovers +of my race, and in this hope I venture to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +submit my memoirs to your indulgent consideration.</p> + +<p>I am but a small doll; not one of those +splendid specimens of wax, modelled from +the Princess Royal, with distinct fingers and +toes, eyes that shut, and tongues that wag. +No; such I have only contemplated from a +respectful distance as I lay on my stall in the +bazaar, while they towered sublime in the +midst of the toys, the wonder and admiration +of every passing child. I am not even one +of those less magnificent, but still dignified, +leathern-skinned individuals, requiring +clothes to take off and put on, and a cradle +to sleep in, with sheets, blankets, and every +thing complete. Neither can I found my +claim to notice upon any thing odd or +unusual in my appearance: I am not a negro +doll, with wide mouth and woolly hair; nor +a doll with a gutta-percha face, which can +be twisted into all kinds of grimaces.</p> + +<p>I am a simple English doll, about six +inches high, with jointed limbs and an +enamel face, a slim waist and upright figure,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +an amiable smile, and intelligent eye, and +hair dressed in the first style of fashion. I +never thought myself vain, but I own that +in my youth I did pique myself upon my +hair. There was but one opinion about <em>that</em>. +I have often heard even grown-up people +remark, 'How ingeniously that doll's wig is +put on, and how nicely it is arranged!' while +at the same time my rising vanity was +crushed by the insinuation that I had an +absurd smirk or a ridiculous stare.</p> + +<p>However, the opinions of human beings +of mature age never much disturbed me. +The world was large enough for them and +me; and I could contentedly see them turn +to their own objects of interest, while I +awaited in calm security the unqualified +praise of those whose praise alone was +valuable to me—their children and grand-children.</p> + +<p>I first opened my eyes to the light in the +Pantheon Bazaar. How I came there I +know not; my conscious existence dates +only from the moment in which a silver-paper<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +covering was removed from my face, +and the world burst upon my view. A feeling +of importance was the first that arose in +my mind. As the hand that held me turned +me from side to side, I looked about. Dolls +were before me, dolls behind, and dolls on +each side. For a considerable time I could +see nothing else. The world seemed made +for dolls. But by degrees, as my powers of +vision strengthened, my horizon extended, +and I perceived that portions of space were +allotted to many other objects. I descried, +at various distances, aids to amusements in +endless succession,—balls, bats, battledores, +boxes, bags, and baskets; carts, cradles, and +cups and saucers. I did not then know any +thing of the alphabet, and I cannot say that +I have quite mastered it even now; but if I +were learned enough, I am sure I could go +from A to Z, as initial letters of the wonders +with which I soon made acquaintance.</p> + +<p>Not that I at once became aware of the +uses, or even the names, of all I saw. No +one took the trouble to teach me; and it was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +only by dint of my own intense observation +that I gained any knowledge at all. I did +not at first even know that I was a doll. +But I made the most of opportunities, and +my mind gradually expanded.</p> + +<p>I first learned to distinguish human beings. +Their powers of motion made a decided +difference between them and the other surrounding +objects, and naturally my attention +was early turned towards the actions of the +shopwoman on whose stall I lived. She +covered me and my companions with a large +cloth every night, and restored the daylight +to us in the morning. We were all perfectly +helpless without her, and absolutely under +her control. At her will the largest top +hummed, or was silent; the whip cracked, +or lay harmlessly by the side of the horse. +She moved us from place to place, and exhibited +or hid us at her pleasure; but she +was always so extremely careful of our health +and looks, and her life seemed so entirely +devoted to us and to our advantage, that I +often doubted whether she was our property<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> +or we hers. Her habits varied so little from +day to day, that after watching her for a +reasonable time, I felt myself perfectly acquainted +with <em>her</em>, and in a condition to +make observations upon others of her race.</p> + +<p>One day a lady and a little girl stopped at +our stall.</p> + +<p>'Oh, what a splendid doll,' exclaimed the +child, pointing to the waxen beauty which +outshone the rest of our tribe. It was the +first time I had heard the word <em>Doll</em>, though +I was well acquainted with the illustrious +individual to whom it was applied; and it +now flashed upon my mind, with pride and +pleasure, that, however insignificant in comparison, +I too was a doll. But I had not +time to think very deeply about my name +and nature just then, as I wished to listen +to the conversation of the two human beings.</p> + +<p>'May I buy her?' said the little girl.</p> + +<p>'Can you afford it?' asked the lady in +return. 'Remember your intentions for your +brother.'</p> + +<p>'Perhaps I have money enough for both,'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> +answered the child. 'How much does she +cost?'</p> + +<p>'Seven shillings,' said the shopwoman, +taking the doll from her place, and displaying +her pretty face and hands to the utmost +advantage.</p> + +<p>'I have three half-crowns,' said the little +girl.</p> + +<p>'But if you spend seven shillings on the +doll,' answered the lady, 'you will only have +sixpence left for the paint-box.'</p> + +<p>'What does a paint-box cost?' asked the +child.</p> + +<p>'We have them of all prices,' replied the +shopkeeper; 'from sixpence to seven shillings.'</p> + +<p>The little girl examined several with great +care, and stood some time in deliberation; at +last she said, 'I don't think Willy would +like a sixpenny one.'</p> + +<p>'It would be of no use to him,' answered +the lady. 'He draws well enough to want +better colors. If you gave it to him, he +would thank you and try to seem pleased,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> +but he would not really care for it. However, +he does not know that you thought of +making him a birthday present, so you are +at liberty to spend your money as you +like.'</p> + +<p>'Would he care for a seven shilling one?' +asked the little girl.</p> + +<p>'Yes; that is exactly what he wants.'</p> + +<p>'Then he shall have it,' exclaimed the +good-natured little sister. 'Poor dear Willy, +how many more amusements I have than +he!'</p> + +<p>She bought the best paint-box, and received +sixpence in change.</p> + +<p>'Is there any thing else I can show you?' +asked the shopkeeper.</p> + +<p>'No, thank you,' she replied; and turning +to the elder lady, she said, 'May we go home +at once, Mama? It would take me a long +time to choose what I shall spend my sixpence +in, and I should like to give Willy his +paint-box directly.'</p> + +<p>'By all means,' answered the lady; 'we +will lose no time; and I will bring you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +again to spend the sixpence whenever you +please.'</p> + +<p>Without one backward glance towards +the beautiful doll, the child tripped away +by the side of her companion, looking the +brightest and happiest of her kind.</p> + +<p>I pondered long upon this circumstance; +how long I cannot say, for dolls are unable +to measure time, they can only date from +any particularly striking epochs. For instance, +we can say, 'Such an affair happened +before I lost my leg;' or, 'Such an event +took place before my new wig was put on;' +but of the intricate divisions known to mortals +by the names of hours, days, months, +&c., we have no idea.</p> + +<p>However, I meditated on the kind little +sister during what appeared to me a long +but not tedious period, for I was gratified at +gaining some insight into the qualities proper +to distinguish the human race. Readiness +to show kindness, and a preference of +others' interests to her own, were virtues +which I easily perceived in the little girl's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> +conduct; but one thing perplexed me sadly. +I could not understand why a doll would +not have answered her kind intentions as +well as a paint-box; why could she not have +bought the doll which she admired so much, +and have given <em>that</em> to her brother.</p> + +<p>My thoughts were still engaged with this +subject, when a boy approached the stall. +Boys were new characters to me, and I was +glad of the opportunity to observe one. He +did not bestow a look on the dolls and other +toys, but asked for a box of carpenter's tools. +The shopkeeper dived into some hidden +recess under the counter, and produced a +clumsy-looking chest, the merits of which I +could not discover; but the boy pronounced +it to be 'just the thing,' and willingly paid +down its price. I followed him with my +eyes as he walked about with his great box +under his arm, looking from side to side, +till he caught sight of another boy rather +younger than himself, advancing from an +opposite corner.</p> + +<p>'Why, Geoffrey,' exclaimed my first friend,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +'where have you been all this time? I have +been hunting every where for you.'</p> + +<p>Geoffrey did not immediately answer, his +mouth being, as I perceived, quite full. +When at last he could open his lips, he said, +'Will you have a cheesecake?'</p> + +<p>'No, thank you,' replied his friend. 'We +must go home to dinner so soon, that you +will scarcely have time to choose your things. +Where <em>have</em> you been?'</p> + +<p>'At the pastrycook's stall,' answered +Geoffrey; 'and I must go back again before +I can buy any thing. I left my five shillings +there to be changed.'</p> + +<p>The boys returned together to the stall, +and I saw its mistress hand a small coin to +Geoffrey.</p> + +<p>'Where is the rest?' said he.</p> + +<p>'That is your change, sir,' she replied.</p> + +<p>'Why, you don't mean that those two or +three tarts and jellies cost four and sixpence!' +he exclaimed, turning as red as the rosiest +doll at my side.</p> + +<p>'I think you will find it correct, sir,'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +answered the shopkeeper. 'Two jellies, +sixpence each, make one shilling; two +custards, sixpence each, two shillings; a +bottle of ginger-beer, threepence, two and +threepence; one raspberry cream, sixpence, +two and ninepence; three gooseberry tarts, +threepence, three shillings; two strawberry +tarts, three and twopence; two raspberry +ditto, three and fourpence; four cheesecakes, +three and eightpence; two Bath buns, four +shillings; and one lemon ice, four and sixpence.'</p> + +<p>'What a bother!' said Geoffrey, as he +pocketed the small remains of his fortune. +'I wish I could give her some of the tarts +back again, for they weren't half so nice as +they looked, except just the first one or two.'</p> + +<p>'Because you were only hungry for the +first one or two,' said the other boy. 'But +it can't be helped now; come and spend the +sixpence better.'</p> + +<p>'There won't be any thing worth buying +for sixpence,' said Geoffrey gloomily, as he +shuffled in a lazy manner towards my stall.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>'I want a spade,' said he.</p> + +<p>Several were produced, but they cost two +shillings or half-a-crown. There were little +wooden spades for sixpence; but from those +he turned with contempt, saying they were +only fit for babies. Nothing at our table +suited him, and he walked towards our +opposite neighbour, who sold books, maps, +&c. On his asking for a dissected map, all +the countries of the world were speedily +offered to his choice; but alas! the price was +again the obstacle. The cheapest map was +half-a-crown; and Geoffrey's sixpence would +buy nothing but a childish puzzle of Old +Mother Hubbard. Geoffrey said it was a +great shame that every thing should be either +dear or stupid.</p> + +<p>'Can't you lend me some money, Ned?' +continued he.</p> + +<p>'I can't, indeed,' replied the other; 'mine +all went in this box of tools. Suppose you +don't spend the sixpence at all now, but keep +it till you get some more.'</p> + +<p>'No, I won't do that; I hate saving my +money.'</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>So saying, he wandered from stall to stall, +asking the price of every thing, as if his +purse was as full as his stomach.</p> + +<p>'How much is that sailor kite?' 'Two +shillings, sir.'—'How much is that bat?' +'Seven and sixpence.'—'How much is that +wooden box with secret drawer?' 'Three +shillings.'</p> + +<p>'How provoking!' he exclaimed. 'I want +heaps of things, and this stupid sixpence is +no good at all.'</p> + +<p>'It is better than nothing,' said Edward. +'It is not every day that one's aunt sends +one five shillings, to spend in the bazaar; +and in common times sixpence is not to be +despised. After all, there are plenty of +things it will buy. Do you want a top?'</p> + +<p>'No; I've got four.'</p> + +<p>'Garden seeds?'</p> + +<p>'What is the use of them, when I can't +get a spade?'</p> + +<p>'Steel pens? You said this morning you +could not write with quills.'</p> + +<p>'I don't like buying those kind of things +with my own money.'</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span>'A box? Yesterday you wanted a box.'</p> + +<p>'I don't care for boxes that won't lock, +and I can't get one with a lock and key for +sixpence.'</p> + +<p>'A knife?'</p> + +<p>'Sixpenny knives have only one blade; I +want two.'</p> + +<p>'Sealing-wax? wafers? a penholder? a +paint-box? India-rubber? pencils?'</p> + +<p>'Stupid things!'</p> + +<p>'A ball? You might have a very good +ball.'</p> + +<p>'Not a cricket ball; and I don't care for +any other.'</p> + +<p>'What a particular fellow you are! I am +sure I could always find something to spend +sixpence in. String? One is always wanting +string. You may have a good ball of +whipcord.'</p> + +<p>'These sort of places don't sell it.'</p> + +<p>'Then, I say again, keep your money till +you want it.'</p> + +<p>'No, that I'll never do, when I came on +purpose to spend it. After all, the only<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +thing I can think of,' continued Geoffrey, +after a pause, 'is to go back to the pastrycook's. +There was one kind of tart I did +not taste, and perhaps it would be nicer than +the others. I'll give you one if you like.'</p> + +<p>'No, thank you; I am much obliged to +you all the same; but I won't help you to +spend your money in that way. Don't buy +any more tarts. Come and walk about; +there are plenty more shops to look at.'</p> + +<p>They sauntered on, but Geoffrey, by various +turns, worked his way back to the pastrycook's; +and as no persuasions could then +bring him away, Edward walked off, not +choosing, as he said, to encourage him.</p> + +<p>Presently I saw a tall gentleman enter the +bazaar, and I wondered what he would buy. +I did not then understand the difference +between grown-up people and children, and +as he approached my stall, I could not +repress a hope that he would buy <em>me</em>. But +his quick eye glanced over the tables without +resting on any of the toys.</p> + +<p>'Can I show you any thing, sir?' said my +mistress.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span>'No, I am much obliged to you,' he +answered, with a pleasant smile. 'I am only +in search of some young people who, I dare +say, have been better customers than I. Ah, +here they are,' he continued, as the two boys +of whom I had taken so much notice ran up +to him from different ends of the room.</p> + +<p>'Well, boys,' said he, 'what have you +bought? Must we hire a wagon to carry +your property home?'</p> + +<p>'Not quite,' answered Edward. 'I have +bought a wagon-load of amusement, but I +can carry it home well enough myself; I +have spent all my money in this box of +tools.'</p> + +<p>'A very sensible and useful purchase,' +said the gentleman; 'they will give you +plenty of pleasant employment. The only +objection is, that they are likely to be lost +or broken at school.'</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 448px;"> +<img src="images/img01.png" width="448" height="600" alt="Image 1" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Page <a href="#Page_25">25</a>.</span> +</div> + +<p>'I do not mean to take them to school, +papa. I shall use them in the holidays, and +leave them with Willy when I go back to +school; that was one reason why I bought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +them. Willy could do a good deal of +carpentering on his sofa.'</p> + +<p>'True, my boy, and a kind thought. They +will be a great amusement to poor Willy, +and he will take good care of them for you.'</p> + +<p>'Now, Geoffrey, how have you invested +your capital? I hope you have found a +strong spade. It is fine weather for gardening.'</p> + +<p>'No, I haven't,' stammered Geoffrey.</p> + +<p>'Well, what have you bought?'</p> + +<p>'I don't know,' said Geoffrey.</p> + +<p>'Do you mean that you have not spent +your money yet? Make haste, then, for I +can only allow you five minutes more. I +expected to find you ready to go home. Be +brisk; there is every thing on that stall that +the heart of boy can wish,' said the gentleman, +pointing to my abode.</p> + +<p>But Geoffrey did not move. 'I don't +want any thing,' said he at last.</p> + +<p>'What a fortunate boy!' said the gentleman; +but he presently added, 'Have you +lost your money?'</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>'No.'</p> + +<p>'Show it to me.'</p> + +<p>Geoffrey slowly produced his sixpence, +almost hidden in the palm of his hand.</p> + +<p>'Where is the rest?' asked the gentleman. +'Have you spent it?'</p> + +<p>'Yes.'</p> + +<p>'And nothing to show for it? Nothing?'—and +the gentleman looked at the boy more +narrowly. 'Nothing,' said he again, 'except +a few crumbs of pie-crust on your waistcoat? +Oh, Geoffrey!'</p> + +<p>There was a short silence, and the boy +colored a good deal; at last he said, 'It was +my own money.'</p> + +<p>'You will wish it was your own again +before long, I dare say,' said the gentleman. +'However, we must hope you will be wiser +in time. Come home now to dinner.'</p> + +<p>'I don't want any dinner,' said Geoffrey.</p> + +<p>'Probably not, but Edward and I do. We +have not dined on tarts; and I dare say Ned +is as hungry as I am.'</p> + +<p>So saying, he led the way towards the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> +door, leaving me, as usual, pondering over +what had passed. One word used by the +gentleman made a great impression on me—<span class="smcap">Useful</span>.</p> + +<p>What could that mean? Various considerations +were suggested by the question. +Some things, it seemed, were useful, others +not; and what puzzled me most was, that +the very same things appeared to be useful +to some people, and not to others. For +instance, the sixpenny paint-box, which had +been rejected as useless to Willy, was bought +soon afterwards by a small boy, who said it +would be the most useful toy he had.</p> + +<p>Could this be the case with every thing? +Was it possible that every thing properly +applied might have its use, and that its value +depended upon those who used it? If so, +why was Geoffrey blamed for spending his +money in tarts? <em>He</em> liked them. Perhaps +he had plenty of food at home, and that +uselessness consisted in a thing's not being +really wanted. I revolved the subject in my +mind, and tried to discover the use of every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> +thing I saw, but I was not always successful. +The subject was perplexing; and gradually +all my thoughts became fixed on the point +of most importance to myself—namely, my +own use.</p> + +<p>How changed were my ideas since the +time when I imagined the world to belong +to dolls! Their whole race now seemed to +be of very small importance; and as for my +individual self, I could not be sure that I +had any use at all, and still less <em>what</em>, or <em>to +whom</em>.</p> + +<p>Day after day I lay on my counter +unnoticed, except by the shopwoman who +covered us up at night, and re-arranged us +in the morning; and even this she did with +such an indifferent air, that I could not +flatter myself I was of the smallest use to +<em>her</em>. Every necessary care was bestowed +upon me in common with my companions; +but I sighed for the tender attentions that I +sometimes saw lavished by children upon +their dolls, and wished that my mistress +would nurse and caress me in the same +manner.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span>She never seemed to think of such a +thing. She once said I was dusty, and +whisked a brush over my face; but that +was the only separate mark of interest I +ever received from her. I had no reasonable +ground of complaint, but I began to +grow weary of the insipidity of my life, +and to ask myself whether this could be my +only destiny. Was I never to be of use to +any body? From time to time other toys +were carried away. Many a giddy top and +lively ball left my side in childish company, +and disappeared through those mysterious +gates by which the busy human race entered +our calm seclusion.</p> + +<p>At last even dolls had their day. The +beautiful waxen princess no longer graced +our dominions. She was bought by an +elderly lady for a birthday present to a +little grand-daughter; and on the very same +day the 'old familiar faces' of six dolls +who had long shared my counter vanished +from my sight, one after another being +bought and carried away.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span>I was sorry to lose them, though while +we lived together we had had our little +miffs and jealousies. I had sometimes +thought that the one with the red shoes +was always sticking out her toes; that she +of the flaxen ringlets was ready to let every +breath of wind blow them over her neighbours' +faces; that another with long legs +took up more room than her share, much +to my inconvenience. But now that they +were all gone, and I never could hope to see +them again, I would gladly have squeezed +myself into as small compass as the baby +doll in the walnut-shell, in order to make +room for them once more.</p> + +<p>One thing, however, was satisfactory: +dolls certainly had their use. Seven had +been bought, and therefore why not an +eighth? I had been sinking almost into a +state of despondency, but now my hopes +revived and my spirits rose. My turn might +come.</p> + +<p>And my turn did come. Every circumstance +of that eventful day is deeply impressed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> +on my memory. I was as usual +employed in making remarks upon the +passing crowd, and wondering what might +be the use of every body I saw, when I perceived +the lady and the little girl who had +been almost my first acquaintances among +the human race. As they approached my +stall, I heard the mama say, 'Have you +decided what to buy with the sixpence?'</p> + +<p>'Oh yes, quite,' answered the child; 'I +am going to buy a <em>sixpenny doll</em>.'</p> + +<p>The words thrilled through me; her eyes +seemed fixed on mine, and the sixpence was +between her fingers. I imagined myself +bought. But she continued: 'I think, if +you don't mind the trouble, I should like to +go round the bazaar first, to see which are +the prettiest.'</p> + +<p>'By all means,' replied the lady; and +they walked on, carrying all my hopes with +them.</p> + +<p>I had often fancied myself the prettiest +doll of my size in the place; but such +conceit would not support me now. I felt<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> +that there were dozens, nay scores, who +more than equalled me; and all discontented +notions of my neglected merit now +sunk before the dread that I had really no +merit to neglect.</p> + +<p>I began also to have some idea of what +was meant by time. My past life had +glided away so imperceptibly, that I did +not know whether it had been long or +short; but I learnt to count every moment +while those two mortals were walking round +the bazaar.</p> + +<p>I strained my eyes to catch sight of them +again; but when at last they re-appeared, +I scarcely dared to look, for fear of seeing +a doll in the child's hands. But no; her +hands were empty, except for the sixpence +still between her finger and thumb.</p> + +<p>They came nearer—they stopped at +another stall; I could not hear what they +said, but they turned away, and once more +stood opposite to me. The child remained +for some moments as silent as myself, and +then exclaimed, 'After all, Mama, I don't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +think there are any prettier dolls than these +in the whole room.'</p> + +<p>'What do you say to this one, Miss?' +said our proprietor, taking up a great full-dressed +Dutch doll, and laying her on the +top of those of my size and class, completely +hiding the poor little victims under +her stiff muslin and broad ribbons.</p> + +<p>But on the child's answering, 'No, thank +you, I only want a sixpenny doll not dressed,' +the Dutch giantess was removed, and +we once more asserted our humble claims.</p> + +<p>'That seems to me a very pretty one,' +said the mama, pointing to my next neighbour. +The child for a moment hesitated, but +presently exclaimed in a joyful tone, 'Oh +no, <em>this</em> is the beauty of all; this little darling +with the real hair and blue ribbon in +it; I will take this one, if you please.' +And before I could be sure that she meant +me, I was removed from my place, wrapped +up in paper, and consigned to her hands. +My long-cherished wishes were fulfilled, and +I was bought. At first I could scarcely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +believe it. Notwithstanding all my planning +and looking forward to this event, now +that it really happened, I could not understand +it. My senses seemed gone. What +had so long occupied my mind was the +work of a moment; but that moment was +irrevocable, and my fate was decided. In +my little mistress' hands I passed the +boundaries of the world of toys, and entered +upon a new state of existence.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + + +<p>A very different life now opened before +me. I had no longer any pretence for +complaining of neglect. My young mistress +devoted every spare moment to the enjoyment +of my company, and set no limits to +her caresses and compliments; while I in +return regarded her with all the gratitude +and affection which a doll can feel. My +faculties as well as my feelings were called +into fresh exercise; for though I had no +longer the wide range of observation afforded +by the daily crowd of strangers in the +bazaar, I had the new advantage of making +intimate acquaintance with a small circle of +friends.</p> + +<p>Having hitherto been so completely without +any position in the world, I could not +at first help feeling rather shy at the idea of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +taking my place as member of a family; +and it was therefore a relief to find that my +lot was not cast amongst total strangers, +but that I had already some slight clue to +the characters of my future companions.</p> + +<p>My mistress, whose name was Rose, was +sister to the Willy for whom she had bought +the paint-box, and also to Edward, the purchaser +of the tools. Geoffrey, the lover of +tarts, was a cousin on a visit to them for +the holidays; and they had also an elder +sister named Margaret; besides their papa +and mama, whom I had seen in the bazaar.</p> + +<p>The first of the family to whom I was +introduced was Willy, and I soon became +much interested in him. He was a pale +thin boy, who spent the day on a sofa, to +and from which he was carried in the morning +and at night. In fine weather he went +out in a wheel-chair; but he was unable to +move, without help, and was obliged to endure +many privations. Though he often +looked suffering and weary, he was cheerful +and patient, and always seemed pleased to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +hear other children describe enjoyments in +which he could not share. Every body was +fond of Willy, and anxious to amuse and +comfort him. All that happened out of +doors was told to him; all the kindest +friends and pleasantest visitors came to see +him; the new books were brought to him +to read first; the best fruit and flowers +always set apart for him; and all the in-door +occupations arranged as much as possible +with a view to his convenience. He +and his little sister Rose were the dearest +friends in the world, and certain to take part +in whatever interested each other. As soon +as Rose brought me home from the Pantheon, +she ran up stairs with me to Willy, +whom I then saw for the first time, sitting +on the sofa with his feet up, and a table +before him, on which stood several books, +and my old acquaintances the paint-box and +the chest of tools.</p> + +<p>'Look at this, Willy; is not this pretty?' +exclaimed Rose, laying me down on his open +book.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span>Willy looked up with a pleasant smile: +'Very pretty,' he answered. 'I suppose +she is to be the lady of the new house; and +with Ned's tools, I hope to make some furniture +worth her acceptance.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, thank you, Willy dear. And will +you help me to choose a name for her? +What do you think the prettiest name you +know?'</p> + +<p>'<em>Rose</em>,' answered Willy, laughing; 'but +I suppose that will not do. I dare say you +want something very fine and out-of-the-way.'</p> + +<p>'As fine as can be,' replied Rose; 'I +have been thinking of Seraphina or Wilhelmina: +which do you like best?'</p> + +<p>'Call it Molly,' cried Edward, who just +then entered the room; 'Molly and Betty +are the best names: no nonsense in them.'</p> + +<p>'Call it Stupid Donkey,' mumbled a +voice behind him; and Geoffrey advanced, +his mouth as usual full of something besides +words. 'Have any nuts, Willy?' he +asked, holding out a handful.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span>'No, thank you,' answered Willy; 'I +must not eat them.'</p> + +<p>'I wouldn't be you, I know,' said Geoffrey, +cracking one between his teeth; 'never +let to eat any thing but what's wholesome, +and always reading, or doing something stupid. +I believe you are helping Rose to play +with that doll now. Put it into the fire; +that is the way to treat dolls. Stupid +things. I hate 'em!'</p> + +<p>'Pray do not touch it, Geoffrey,' said +Rose.</p> + +<p>'Leave it alone, Geff,' said Edward. +'You have your things, and Rose has hers. +I don't see the fun of dolls myself, but she +does, and nobody shall interfere with her +while I am here to protect her. Just remember +that, will you?'</p> + +<p>'The d-o-ll!' said Geoffrey, drawling +the word, and making a face as if the pronouncing +it turned him quite sick. 'Oh, +the sweet doll! Perhaps you would like to +stay and play with Rose, and Willy, and the +d-o-ll, instead of coming out to cricket.'</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span>'Nonsense, you foolish fellow, you know +better,' answered Edward. 'But I won't +have Rose bullied; and what's more, I won't +have Willy quizzed. I should like to see +you or me pass such an examination as +Willy could if he were at school. Why, he +can learn as much in a day as we do in a +week.'</p> + +<p>'Well, he is welcome to learn as much +as he likes,' said Geoffrey; 'and let's you +and I go and play. What stupid nuts these +are! I've almost cracked one of my teeth +with cracking them.'</p> + +<p>The boys ran off; and presently there +came into the room the papa and mama, +whom I already knew, and a young lady +very like Rose, but older. I found she was +Margaret, the eldest sister. They inquired +whether Willy wanted any thing before they +went out; and Margaret fetched a drawing +that he wished to copy, while his father and +mother wheeled his sofa and table nearer +the window, that he might have more light. +When he was made quite comfortable, they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +told Rose that she might stay and take care +of him till they returned; and she said she +would bring her box of scraps and begin +dressing me. Then I came in for my share +of notice, and had every reason to be satisfied +with the praises bestowed on me. The +mama said that I deserved very neatly-made +clothes; the papa, that my hair would be a +pattern for Margaret's; and Margaret said +I was charming, and that she would make +me a pink satin gown.</p> + +<p>They admired the name <em>Seraphina</em>, though +the papa suggested various others which he +thought might suit Rose's taste,—Sophonisba, +Cleopatra, Araminta, Dulcinea, Ethelinda, +&c.; but as she remained steady to +her first choice, the <span class="smcap">Lady Seraphina</span> was +decided to be thenceforth my name and +title.</p> + +<p>And now began the real business of my +life. I was no longer doomed to fret at +being of no use, for the object of my existence +was plain enough, namely, to give +innocent recreation to my young mistress<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> +when at leisure from her more serious +employments. Every day she spent some +hours in study with her mother or sister; +and she would fly to me for relief between +her lessons, and return to them with more +vigor after passing a little time in my +refreshing company. She often showed her +tasks to me, and discussed their difficulties. +I think she repeated the multiplication-table +to me nearly a hundred times, while +I sat on the <em>Tutor's Assistant</em> waiting for +the recurrence of the fatal words, 'Seven +times nine.' Day after day she could get +no farther; but as soon as she came to +'Seven times nine,' I was turned off the +book, which had to be consulted for the +answer.</p> + +<p>At last, one day she came running into +the room in great glee, exclaiming, 'I have +done the multiplication-table. I have said +it quite right, sixty-three and all. I made +no mistake even in dodging. And <em>you</em> +helped me, my darling Lady Seraphina. +I never could have learned it perfect if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> +you had not heard me say it so often. And +now, look at your rewards. Margaret has +made you a bonnet, and Willy has made +you an arm-chair.'</p> + +<p>Beautiful, indeed, was the bonnet, and +commodious the arm-chair; and I wore the +one and reclined in the other all the time +Rose was learning the French auxiliary +verbs <em>être</em> and <em>avoir</em>. I flattered myself I +was of as much use in them as in the +multiplication-table; but I do not recollect +receiving any particular recompense. Indeed, +after a little time, it would have been +difficult to know what to give me, for I +possessed every thing that a doll's heart +could wish, or her head imagine. Such a +variety of elegant dresses as Rose made for +me would have been the envy of all my old +friends in the bazaar. I had gowns of pink +satin and white satin; blue silk and yellow +silk; colored muslins without number, and +splendid white lace. Bonnets enough to +furnish a milliner's shop were mine; but I +was not so partial to them as to my gowns, +because they tumbled my hair.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span>I believe a good many of my possessions +were presents from Margaret to Rose on +account of perfect lessons; but in course of +time, I ceased to superintend Rose's studies. +Margaret said that I interrupted the course +of history; and the mama said that Rose +was old enough to learn her lessons without +bringing her play into them, and that I +must be put away during school hours.</p> + +<p>Though I did not think that the fault +was altogether mine, I quite acquiesced +in the wisdom of this decree; for during +Rose's last reading-lesson she had stopped +so often to ask me which I liked best, +Lycurgus or Solon, Pericles or Alcibiades, +&c., that Margaret was almost out of patience. +And though I made no answer, +and had really no choice at all between +the characters, I felt that I rather hindered +business.</p> + +<p>I was therefore now left to myself for +several hours in the morning; but I found +ample and pleasant employment in surveying +the comforts and beauties of my habitation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> +For I was not forced to perform the +part of an insignificant pigmy in the vast +abodes of the colossal race of man: I possessed +a beautiful little house proportioned +to my size, pleasantly situated on a table in +the furthest corner of the schoolroom, and +commanding an extensive view of the whole +apartment.</p> + +<p>I must describe my house at full length. +It had been originally, as I heard, a mere +rough packing-case; but what of that? +The best brick house in London was once +but clay in the fields; and my packing-case +was now painted outside and papered inside, +and fitted up in a manner every way suitable +for the occupation of a doll of distinction.</p> + +<p>My drawing-room was charming; light +and cheerful, the walls papered with white +and gold, and the floor covered with a drab +carpet worked with flowers of every hue. +Rose worked the carpet herself under the +directions of Margaret, who prevailed on +her to learn worsted-work for my sake. So<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> +there, again, how useful I was! From the +ceiling hung a brilliant glass chandelier, a +birthday present from Edward to Rose; and +the mantel-piece was adorned by a splendid +mirror cut out of a broken looking-glass by +Willy, and framed by his hands. I cannot +say that Willy ever seemed to care for me +personally, but he took considerable interest +in my upholstery, and much of my handsomest +furniture was manufactured by him. +He made my dining-room and drawing-room +tables; the frames of my chairs, +which were covered with silk by Margaret; +my sofa, and my four-post bedstead; and it +was he who painted the floor-cloth in my +hall, and the capital picture of the Queen +and Prince Albert which hung over the +dining-room chimney-piece. I had a snug +bed-room, containing a bed with pink curtains, +a toilette-table, with a handsome +looking-glass, pincushion, and rather large +brush and comb; a washing-stand, towel-horse, +chest of drawers, and wardrobe. +But the last two, I must confess, were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +rather for show than for use. They were +French-polished, and in appearance convenient +as well as handsome, but in reality +too small to hold my clothes. A few minor +articles of dress were kept in them; but +the mass of my gorgeous attire was always +in larger boxes and trunks belonging to my +mistress; her work-box, for instance, and at +one time her desk; but her mama turned +all my gowns out of the latter when she +banished me from the lessons, and desired +that, for the future, only writing materials +should be kept in it. 'Every thing in +its proper place, Rose,' I heard her say. +'You have plenty of little boxes for doll's +clothes; and your doll ought to teach you +to be more tidy instead of less so.'</p> + +<p>My dining-room was well adapted for all +the purposes of hospitality, being furnished +with a substantial dining-table, chairs, and +a sideboard, on which there always stood +two trays, one filled with decanters and +wine-glasses, and the other with knives +and forks.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span>My kitchen was resplendent with saucepans, +kettles, pots and pans, and plates and +dishes, ranged upon the dresser, or hung +from the walls. A joint of meat was +always roasting before the fire, and a cook +of my own race appeared to spend her life +in basting it, for I never failed to find her +thus employed when Rose was so kind as +to take me into my kitchen. There was also +a footman, who sat for ever in the hall; and +I was inclined to consider him rather wanting +in respect, till I discovered that, owing +to a broken leg, he was unable to stand. +I did not quite comprehend the use of my +servants, as Rose herself did all the work +of my house; but she said they were indispensable, +and that if it were not for want +of room, I should have a great many more.</p> + +<p>Besides all these arrangements for my +comfort in-doors, I possessed a beautiful +open phaeton, emblazoned with the royal +arms of England, and drawn by four piebald +horses with long tails, so spirited that +they never left off prancing. Every day,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +after school-time, Rose brought this equipage +to my door; and the four horses stood +with their eight front feet in the air while +I was dressed for my drive. Then, attired +in my last new bonnet and cloak, I sat in +state in my carriage, and was drawn round +and round the room by Rose, till she said +I was tired. She made many attempts to +persuade the lame footman to stand on the +footboard behind, but she never could manage +it. He was a very helpless creature; +and I am not quite certain that he even +did his best, little as that might be. The +first time Rose set him up behind the carriage, +he tumbled head over heels into the +middle of it, and stood there on his head +till she picked him out again. Then he fell +off behind, then on one side, and then on +the other, till she was quite tired of his +foolish tricks, and left him to sit quietly +and stupidly in his old place in the hall.</p> + +<p>I lived in great comfort in my pleasant +house, and being of a cheerful, contented +temper, never felt lonely, although left to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +myself during great part of the day; for +Rose was very obedient to her Mama's orders, +and even if now and then tempted to forget +the regulation herself, Willy was always at +hand to remind her, and help to fix her +attention on her business. But when it was +all over, she flew to me with redoubled +pleasure.</p> + +<p>One day she said to me, 'My dear Seraphina, +I am afraid you must be very dull, +alone all the morning.' I longed to assure +her of the contrary; but not having the gift +of speech, I could only listen submissively +while she continued: 'It is a pity that you +should sit doing nothing and wasting your +time; so I have brought you some books, +which you are to read while I am at my +lessons; and I shall expect you to learn just +as much as I do.'</p> + +<p>So saying, she seated me on my sofa, and +placing a table with the books before me, +'Look,' continued she, 'I have made them +for you myself, and covered them with these +pretty red and green papers. This is your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +English History, and this is your French +Grammar; and here is a Geography Book, +and here is a History of Rome. Now read +attentively, and do not let your thoughts +wander; and be very careful not to dogs-ear +the leaves: that always looks like a dunce. +And mind you sit upright,' added she, looking +back, as she left the room in obedience +to a summons from her sister.</p> + +<p>I obeyed to the best of my power. To be +sure, I did not know which was geography +and which was grammar; and English and +Roman history were both alike to me. But +I did as I was bid. I sat upright in the +place appointed me, staring as hard as I +could at the open pages; and my worst +enemy could not accuse me of dogs-earing a +single leaf.</p> + +<p>When my mistress returned, she pleased +me much by calling me a very good girl, and +saying that if I continued to take so much +pains, I could not fail to improve. On hearing +this, Willy laughed, and said he hoped +that that was a duplicate of Margaret's last<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +speech; and Rose looked very happy, and +answered that not only Margaret, but Mama +had said the same.</p> + +<p>This was not my only duplicate of Rose's +adventures. My education appeared to be +conducted precisely on the same plan as her +own. Before long, she brought a little pianoforte +and set it up in my drawing-room. I +thought it rather hid the pretty paper, but +it was a handsome piece of furniture.</p> + +<p>'Now, Lady Seraphina,' said Rose, 'I am +obliged to practise for an hour every day, +and you must do the same. See what a +pretty piano I have given you. You need +not mind its being meant for a housewife +and pincushion; the notes are marked, and +that is all you want. Now practise your +scales, and be very careful to play right notes +and count your time.'</p> + +<p>I sat at my piano with all due diligence, +but I am sorry to say that my progress did +not seem satisfactory. One day Rose said +that she was sure I had forgotten to count; +and another day, that I hurried the easy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +bars and slackened the difficult ones; then +she accused me of not caring whether I +played right notes or wrong, and torturing +her ear by my false chords; then I banged +the notes till I broke the strings: in short, +there was no end to her complaints, till at +last she wound them all up by declaring +that both she and I hated music, and that if +Mama and Margaret would take her advice, +we should both leave it off.</p> + +<p>But still I practised regularly, and so, I +suppose, did Rose; and gradually her reproaches +diminished, and she grew more +contented with me; and we both persevered, +till she said that really, after all, I seemed to +have a good ear, and to be likely to make a +very respectable player.</p> + +<p>'But you know it all depends upon yourself, +Seraphina; your present improvement +is the result of pains and practice. Pains +and practice will do any thing.'</p> + +<p>It was fortunate for me that I had so +careful a superintendent as Rose; for unless +she had kept a constant watch over me, there<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +is no saying how many awkward habits I +might unconsciously have contracted. But +she cured me of poking my head forward, of +standing on one leg, of tilting my chair, of +meddling with things that were not my own, +of leaning against the furniture while I was +speaking, of putting my elbows on the table, +of biting my nails, of spilling my tea, and of +making crumbs on the floor.</p> + +<p>I cannot say I was myself aware either of +the faults or their cure; but I think one +seldom does notice one's own faults, and +therefore it is a great advantage to have kind +friends who will point them out to us. I +believed Rose when she told me of mine; so +I had a right to believe her when she gave +me the agreeable assurance of their cure, and +to indulge the hope that I was becoming a +pleasing, well-bred little doll.</p> + +<p>On one mortifying occasion, however, I +must own that Rose's anxiety for my always +following in her steps was the cause of a +serious injury to me. She remarked that I +had got into a horrid way of kicking off my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +shoes while I was learning my poetry; and +she thought the best cure would be to make +me wear sandals. I observed that she was +sewing sandals to her own shoes at the time, +and she consulted Willy about some means +of doing the same by mine. Willy held me +head downwards, and examined my feet. +My shoes were painted, therefore sewing was +out of the question. He advised glue. This +was tried, but it came through the thin narrow +ribbon of which my sandals were to be +made, and looked very dirty. They were +taken off; but the operation had spoilt the +delicacy of my white stockings, and Rose +said it was impossible to let me go such an +untidy figure; we must try some other way. +She asked Willy to lend her a gimlet, that +she might bore holes at the sides of my feet, +and glue the ribbon into them, so as not to +show the glue. Willy said she was welcome +to the gimlet, but that he advised her to +leave it alone, for that she would only break +my feet. But Rose would not be dissuaded, +and began boring.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>It was on this occasion that I most peculiarly +felt the advantage of that insensibility +to pain which distinguishes my race. What +mortal could have borne such an infliction +without struggling and screaming? I, on +the contrary, took it all in good part, and +showed no signs of feeling even at the fatal +moment when my foot snapped in two, and +Rose, with a face of utter dismay, held up +my own toes before my eyes.</p> + +<p>'Oh, my poor Seraphina!' she exclaimed, +'what shall we do?'</p> + +<p>'Glue it on again,' said Willy. 'You had +better have taken my advice at first, but now +you must make the best of it. Glue is your +only friend.'</p> + +<p>So Rose glued the halves of my foot +together, lamenting over me, and blaming +herself so much all the time, that it seemed +rather a comfort to her when Margaret, +coming into the room, agreed with her that +she had been foolish and awkward. Margaret +said that ribbon might have been tied over +my feet from the first, without using glue or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> +gimlet either; and Rose called herself more +stupid than ever, for not having thought of +such an easy contrivance.</p> + +<p>My foot was glued, and for the purpose of +standing, answered as well as ever; and Rose +sewed me up in a pair of blue silk boots, and +declared that I was prettier than before; and +my misfortune was soon forgotten by every +body but myself. I, however, could not but +feel a misgiving that this was the first warning +of my share in the invariable fate of my +race. For I had already lived long enough +to be aware that the existence of a doll, like +that of every thing else, has its limits. +Either by sudden accidents, such as loss of +limbs, or by the daily wear and tear of life, +decay gradually makes its progress in us, and +we fade away as surely as the most delicate +of the fragile race of mortals.</p> + +<p>Though the fracture of my foot was my +own first misfortune, I had had opportunities +of remarking the casualties to which dolls +are liable. For it is not to be supposed that +our devotion to human beings precludes us<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +from cultivating the society of our own +species. Dolls will be dolls; and they have +a natural sympathy with each other, notwithstanding +the companionship of the race of +man. Most little girls are aware of this fact, +and provide suitable society for their dolls. +I myself had a large circle of silent acquaintances, +to whom I was introduced by Rose's +kindness and consideration. When other +little girls came to drink tea with her, they +often brought their dolls to spend the evening +with me; and among them I had more +than once the pleasure of recognising an old +friend from the bazaar.</p> + +<p>Then I was in my glory. There was a +constant supply of provisions in my larder; +and at a moment's notice Rose would produce +an excellent dinner, all ready cooked, +and dished in a beautiful little china dinner-service. +Willy compared her to the genius +of Aladdin's lamp; and though I did not +know what that might mean, I quite understood +the advantage of being able to set such +a banquet before my friends. I could always<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +command salmon, a pair of soles, a leg of +mutton, a leg of pork, a turkey, a pair of +boiled fowls, a ham, a sucking pig, a hare, a +loaf of bread, a fine Cheshire cheese, several +pies, and a great variety of fruit, which was +always ripe and in season, winter or summer. +Rose's papa once observed that his hothouse +produced none so fine; for the currants were +as large as apples, and two cherries filled a +dish.</p> + +<p>Rose and her companions performed the +active duties of waiting at table on these +occasions; but the lame footman was generally +brought out of the hall, and propped up +against the sideboard, where he stood looking +respectable but awkward.</p> + +<p>At these pleasant parties I saw a great +range of characters, for Rose's young visitors +were various in their tastes, and their dolls +used to be dressed in every known costume. +Besides plenty of pretty English damsels, I +was introduced now to a Turkish sultana, +now to a Swiss peasant; one day to a captain +in the British army, another day to an Indian<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> +rajah. One young lady liked to make her +dolls personate celebrated characters; and +when she visited us, most distinguished +guests graced my table. I have had the +honor of receiving the Queen and Prince +Albert themselves; the Duke of Wellington, +Sir Walter Scott, and Miss Edgeworth, have +all dined with me on the same day, and +Robinson Crusoe came in the evening.</p> + +<p>But it was at these social meetings that I +became most fully aware of the liability of +dolls to loss of limbs. I never remember +giving a party at which the guests could +boast of possessing all their legs and arms. +Many an ingenious contrivance hid or supplied +the deficiencies, and we were happy in +spite of our losses; still, such was the case: +and I saw that dolls, however beloved and +respected, could not last for ever.</p> + +<p>For some time after my accident I had no +particular adventures. I lived in peace and +plenty, and amused myself with watching +the family. They were all amiable and easy +to understand, except Geoffrey; but he was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +a complete puzzle to me, and it was long +before I could make out why he was so +different from the rest.</p> + +<p>The others all seemed to like to help and +please one another, but Geoffrey never +seemed happy unless he was making himself +disagreeable. If Willy was interested in a +book, he was obliged to sit upon the second +volume, or Geoffrey would be sure to run +away with it. If Edward was in a hurry to +go out, Geoffrey would hide his cap, and +keep him a quarter of an hour hunting for +it. The girls dared not leave their worsted-work +within his reach for a moment; for he +would unravel the canvass, or chop up the +wool, or go on with the work after a pattern +of his own composing, so that they would be +obliged to spend half an hour in unpicking +his cobbling.</p> + +<p>Margaret remonstrated with him in private, +and made excuses for him in public, and did +her best to prevent his tiresome tricks from +annoying Willy; Edward tried rougher +means of keeping him in order, which sometimes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +succeeded; but still he could find +plenty of opportunities of being a torment: +people always can when such is their taste.</p> + +<p>One day Margaret was keeping Willy +company, while the rest of the party were +gone to the Zoological Gardens. She had +brought a drawing to finish, as he liked to +see her draw, and was sometimes useful in +suggesting improvements. But while they +were thus employed, Margaret was summoned +to some visitors, and went away, +saying that her drawing would just have +time to dry before she returned.</p> + +<p>But unfortunately, during her absence, +Geoffrey came home. He had grown tired +of the Gardens, which he had seen very often, +and rather hungry, as he generally was; so +after amusing himself by eating the cakes +he had bought for the bear, he had nothing +more to do, and tried to persuade his cousins +to be tired also. But Edward was making +himself agreeable to the monkeys, Rose was +cultivating the friendship of the elephant, +and their Papa and Mama were waiting to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +see the hippopotamus bathe; so that Geoffrey's +proposals of leaving the Gardens were +scouted, and he could only obtain leave from +his uncle to go home by himself.</p> + +<p>He entered the room, as usual, with his +mouth full, having spent his last penny in a +piece of cocoanut as he came along the +streets. While the cocoanut lasted, he was +employed to his satisfaction; but when that +was finished, he was again at a loss for something +to do. He tried walking round the +room on one leg, working heel and toe, and +that succeeded very well, and did no harm +till he unluckily came to the drawing-table, +when he immediately brought himself to a +stand on both feet.</p> + +<p>'Hallo!' cried he, 'here's a daub! Is this +your splendid performance, Will?'</p> + +<p>'No,' replied Willy, 'it is Margaret's; and +mind you don't touch it by accident, because +it is wet.'</p> + +<p>'Touch it by accident!' exclaimed Geoffrey; +'I am going to touch it on purpose. +I wonder Margaret is not ashamed to do it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +so badly. I'll improve it for her. How kind +of me!'</p> + +<p>Poor Willy, in dismay, tried to secure the +drawing, but he could not move from his +sofa, and Geoffrey danced round him, holding +it at arm's-length. Then Willy caught at +the bell-rope, but his mischievous cousin +snatched it quicker, and tied it up out of his +reach. Willy called all the servants as loud +as he could, but no one was within hearing; +and he threw himself back on his sofa, in +despair, exclaiming, 'How can you be so ill-natured, +when Margaret is always so kind +to you?'</p> + +<p>'Ill-natured!' answered the other; 'I'm +doing her a favor. She admired the moonlight +in the Diorama; now I shall make just +such a moon in her drawing.' And while +he spoke, a great yellow moon, like a guinea, +rose in the midst of poor Margaret's brilliant +sunset.</p> + +<p>'That's the thing,' said Geoffrey; 'and +now I shall put the cow jumping over it, +and the little dog laughing to see such sport.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +Some figures always improve the foreground.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, you have quite spoilt it!' cried Willy. +'How I wish I could stop you! I cannot +imagine how you can like to be so mischievous +and disagreeable. Oh, if Margaret +would but come back.'</p> + +<p>At last Margaret came, and the troublesome +Geoffrey expected great amusement +from her displeasure; but he was disappointed. +Margaret was one of those generous +people who never resent an injury done +to themselves. If Geoffrey had spoilt any +body else's drawing, she would have been +the first to punish him; but now she was +much more vexed at Willy's distress than at +the destruction of her own work, and instead +of scolding Geoffrey, she gave herself up to +consoling Willy. She assured him that there +was no great harm done. She said the drawing +was good for very little, and that she +would copy it and improve it so much that +he should be quite glad of the disaster; and +she made a present of the spoilt drawing to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +Geoffrey, telling him she was sure he would +one day be ashamed of so foolish a performance, +but that meanwhile he might keep it +as a specimen of his taste. He had not the +manners to apologize, but he looked very +silly and crest-fallen, and left the room in +silence, with the drawing in his hand.</p> + +<p>When he was gone, Willy exclaimed, 'If +it were not for losing Edward, I should wish +the holidays were over; Geoffrey is so disagreeable.'</p> + +<p>'He is very thoughtless,' Margaret replied; +'but we must not be too hard upon him. +Let us recollect that he has no parents to +teach him better, nor brothers and sisters to +call forth his consideration for others. Poor +Geoffrey has had neither example nor precept +till now. But now Papa and Mama +give him good precepts; and if we try to set +him good examples, perhaps we may help +him to improve.'</p> + +<p>'Well, I'll hope for the best, and do what +I can,' said Willy. 'Certainly he has some +good qualities. He is as brave as a lion;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +and he is good-natured about giving away +his own things, though he is so mischievous +with other people's.'</p> + +<p>'And he is clever in his way, notwithstanding +his idleness,' added Margaret. 'Those +foolish figures that he put into my drawing +were uncommonly well done, though they +were provoking to us.'</p> + +<p>'You are the best girl in the world,' said +Willy; 'and if you think Geoffrey will +improve, I'll think so too; but you must +own there is room for it.'</p> + +<p>Perhaps Geoffrey did improve, but it +seemed slow work, faults being more easily +acquired than cured; and for a long time I +could perceive no difference in him. Indeed, +as his next piece of mischief concerned myself, +I thought him worse than ever.</p> + +<p>I have often wondered at the extreme +dislike which boys have to dolls. I was the +most inoffensive creature possible, giving +myself no airs, and interfering with nobody; +yet even the gentle Willy was indifferent to +me. Edward, though he protected Rose in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> +her patronage of me, despised me thoroughly +himself; and Geoffrey never lost an opportunity +of expressing his mortal hatred to +me. I shrunk from Edward's contemptuous +notice, but I was not at all afraid of him, +well knowing that neither he nor Willy +would hurt a hair of my head; but whenever +Geoffrey came into the room, terror seized +my mind. He never passed my house without +making all kinds of ugly faces at me; +and I felt instinctively that nothing but the +presence of the other boys restrained him +from doing me any harm in his power.</p> + +<p>I had hitherto never been alone with him, +but at last the fatal moment arrived. One +fine afternoon, Willy went out for a drive +in his wheel-chair, Edward insisting upon +drawing it himself, and the two girls walking +on each side. Geoffrey accompanied them, +intending to walk with them part of the way, +and to go on by himself when he was tired +of the slow pace of the chair. All seemed +safe, and I hoped to enjoy a few hours of +uninterrupted leisure. I always liked having<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> +my time to myself; and as Rose had set +me no lessons, I reposed comfortably in my +arm-chair by a blazing fire of black and red +cloth, from the glare of which I was sheltered +by a screen. My dog sat at my side, +my cat lay at my feet, and I was as happy +as a doll could be.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the silence was broken by a +sound as of a turkey gabbling in the hall; +presently this changed to a duck quacking +on the stairs; then a cock crew on the landing-place, +and a goose hissed close to the +schoolroom door. I guessed but too well +what these ominous sounds portended, and +my heart sunk within me as the door burst +open, and my dreaded enemy banged into +the room.</p> + +<p>'Why, they are not come home yet!' +exclaimed he; 'so my talents have been +wasted. I meant to have made them bid me +not make every different noise. When they +said, "Don't hiss," I would have crowed; and +when they said, "Don't crow," I would have +quacked, or barked, or bellowed, or mewed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> +till I had gone through all the noises I +know. Now I have nothing to do.'</p> + +<p>He walked to the window and looked out.</p> + +<p>'What a stupid street it is!' said he. 'If +my uncle had not taken away my squirt, I +would squirt at the people.'</p> + +<p>Then he yawned, and sauntered to the +bookcase. 'What stupid books! I wonder +any body can write them. I wish Edward +had left his tools out; I should like to plane +the top of the shelf. How stupid it is having +nothing to do!'</p> + +<p>As he spoke, I shuddered to see him +approaching my end of the room. He came +nearer; he made a full stop in front of me, +and looked me in the face.</p> + +<p>'You stupid, ugly thing,' he exclaimed, +'don't stare so. I hate to have a doll's eyes +goggling at me.'</p> + +<p>Gladly would I have withdrawn my eyes, +if possible. But they had been painted wide +open, and what could I do? I never was +so ashamed of them in my life; but I had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +no control over them, so I stared on, and he +grew more indignant.</p> + +<p>'If you don't leave off,' he cried, 'I'll poke +out your eyes, as I did those of the ugly +picture in my room. I won't be stared at.'</p> + +<p>I longed for the gift of speech to represent +to him, that if he would but leave off looking +at me, I should give him no offence; but +alas, I was silent, and could only stare as +hard as ever.</p> + +<p>'Oh, you will, will you?' said he 'then I +know what I'll do: I'll hang you.'</p> + +<p>In vain I hoped for the return of the rest +of the party. I listened anxiously for every +sound, but no friendly step or voice was near, +and I was completely in his power.</p> + +<p>He began rummaging his pockets, grinning +and making faces at me all the time. +Presently he drew forth a long piece of +string, extremely dirty, looking as if it had +been trailed in the mud.</p> + +<p>'Now for it,' he exclaimed; 'now you +shall receive the reward of all your stupidity +and affectation. I do think dolls are the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +most affected creatures on the face of the +earth.'</p> + +<p>He laid hold of me by my head, pushing +my wig on one side. Alas for my beautiful +hair, it was disarranged for ever! But that +was a trifle compared with what followed. +He tied one end of his muddy string round +my neck, drawing it so tight that I foresaw +I should be marked for life, and hung the +other end to a nail in the wall.</p> + +<p>There I dangled, while he laughed and +quizzed me, adding insult to injury. He +twisted the string as tight as possible, and +then let it whirl round and round till it was +all untwisted again. I banged against the +wall as I spun like a top, and wished that I +could sleep like a top too. But I was wide +awake to my misfortunes; and each interval +of stillness, when the string was untwisted, +only enhanced them, by showing in painful +contrast the happy home whence I had been +torn. For I was hung on the wall directly +opposite my own house; and from my +wretched nail I could distinguish every<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +room in it. Between my twirls I saw my +pretty drawing-room, with its comfortable +arm-chair now vacant; and my convenient +kitchen, with my respectable cook peacefully +basting her perpetual mutton; I envied even +my lame footman quietly seated in his chimney-corner, +and felt that I had never truly +valued the advantages of my home till now. +Would they ever be restored to me? Should +I once again be under the protection of my +kind and gentle mistress, or was I Geoffrey's +slave for ever?</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 452px;"> +<img src="images/img02.png" width="452" height="600" alt="Image 2" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Page <a href="#Page_72">72</a>.</span> +</div> + +<p>These melancholy thoughts were interrupted +by a step on the stairs. 'Hallo!' +cried Geoffrey, 'who would have thought of +their coming home just now?' and he was +going to lift me down from my nail; but +when the door opened, the housemaid came +in alone, and he changed his mind.</p> + +<p>'Why, Master Geoffrey,' said she, 'what +are you doing here all alone? Some mischief, +I'll be bound.'</p> + +<p>'Bow, wow, wow,' answered he, dancing +and playing all sorts of antics to prevent her +seeing me.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span>'Come,' said she, 'those tricks won't go +down with me. The more lively you are, +the more I know you've been after something +you ought to have let alone.'</p> + +<p>'Hee haw, hee haw,' said Geoffrey, twitching +her gown, and braying like a donkey.</p> + +<p>'Well, you're speaking in your own voice +at last,' said she, laughing. 'But let go of +my gown, if you please; you are big enough +to walk by yourself, and I want to set the +room to rights. There's some young ladies +coming to tea with Miss Rose.'</p> + +<p>She bustled about, dusting and putting +every thing in order, and talking all the +time, partly to Geoffrey and partly to herself, +about the blacks that came in at the windows, +and made a place want dusting a dozen times +a day, when her eye fell on my unfortunate +figure, which my persecutor had just set +swinging like the pendulum of a clock. I +was a deplorable object. He had forced me +into the most awkward attitude he could +invent. My arms were turned round in their +sockets, one stretched towards the ceiling, +the other at full length on one side. I was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +forced to kick one leg out in front, and the +other behind; and my knees were bent up +the wrong way. My wig had fallen off +altogether from my head, and was now +perched upon my toe. I was still swinging, +when Sarah caught sight of me. She looked +at me for a moment, and then turned round, +opening her eyes at Geoffrey much wider +than I had ever done.</p> + +<p>'Why, you audacious, aggravating boy!' +she exclaimed, making a dash at him with +her duster; but he ran away laughing, and +she was obliged to finish her speech to +herself.</p> + +<p>'To think of his being so mischievous +and ill-natured! What will poor Miss Rose +say! To be sure, there is nothing boys +won't do; their equals for perverseness +don't walk the earth. Though I ought not +to speak against them, while there's Master +William and Master Edward to contradict +me. They are boys, to be sure; but as for +that Geoffrey!' And here she shook her +head in silence, as if Geoffrey's delinquencies +were beyond the power of words to express.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span>She then released me; and after restoring +my limbs to their proper position, and +smoothing my discomposed dress, she laid +me gently on my bed, and placed my wig +on my pillow beside me, with many kind +expressions of pity and good-will.</p> + +<p>Repose was indeed needful after so agitating +an adventure; and I was glad to be +left quiet till the young people came in +from their walk. I composed my ruffled +spirits as well as I could; but I found it +impossible not to be nervous at the idea of +Rose's first seeing me in such a plight, and +I anxiously awaited her return. They came +in at last, Rose, Willy, and Margaret; and +after establishing Willy on his sofa, Rose's +next care was to visit me. 'O Willy! O Margaret!' +she exclaimed, and burst into tears.</p> + +<p>'What is the matter, my darling?' asked +Margaret.</p> + +<p>Rose could not answer; but Sarah was +there to tell the story, and do ample justice +to my wrongs. Yet I could not help observing, +in the midst of all her indignation, +the difference of her manner towards her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +present hearers and towards Geoffrey. She +never seemed on familiar terms with Willy, +much less with Margaret or Rose. She +neither cut jokes nor used rough language +to them, but treated them with the respect +due to her master's children; though, as +I well knew, she was extremely fond of +them, and disliked Geoffrey, in spite of her +familiarity with him.</p> + +<p>I saw Geoffrey no more that day. Rose's +young friends soon arrived, and consoled +both her and me by their kind sympathy +and attentions. One made an elegant cap +to supply the loss of my wig; another +strung a blue necklace to hide the black +mark round my throat; Rose herself put +me to bed, and placed a table by my bedside +covered with teacups, each, she told +me, containing a different medicine; and +the young lady who had once brought Miss +Edgeworth to dine with me, charged me to +lie still and read 'Rosamond' till I was +quite recovered.</p> + +<p>Next morning, as I lay contentedly performing +my new part of an invalid, I heard<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +a confidential conversation between Margaret +and Geoffrey, in which I was interested.</p> + +<p>They were alone together, and she was +taking the opportunity to remonstrate with +him on his unkind treatment of me.</p> + +<p>'What was the harm?' said Geoffrey. +'A doll is nothing but wood or bran, or +some stupid stuff; it can't feel.'</p> + +<p>'Of course,' answered Margaret, 'we all +know <em>that</em>. It is wasteful and mischievous +to spoil a pretty toy; but I am not speaking +now so much for the sake of the doll +as of Rose. Rose is not made of any +stupid stuff; <em>she</em> can feel. And what is +more, she can feel for other people as well +as herself. She would never play you such +an ill-natured trick.'</p> + +<p>'I should not mind it if she did,' argued +Geoffrey; 'I am not such a baby.'</p> + +<p>'You would not mind that particular +thing,' answered Margaret, 'because you +do not care about dolls; but you would +mind her interfering with <em>your</em> pleasures, +or injuring your property. You would +think it very ill-natured, for instance, if she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +threw away that heap of nuts which you +have hoarded like a squirrel on your shelf +of the closet.'</p> + +<p>'Nuts are not nonsense like dolls,' said +he. 'Besides, she may have as many of +mine as she likes. I tried to make her eat +some yesterday.'</p> + +<p>'Yes, and half choked her by poking +them into her mouth, when she told you +she did not want them. She cares no more +for nuts than you for dolls. You would +think it no kindness if she teazed you to +nurse her doll.'</p> + +<p>'I should think not, indeed,' answered +Geoffrey, indignant at the very idea.</p> + +<p>'Of course not. Kindness is not shown +by forcing our own pleasures down other people's +throats, but by trying to promote theirs. +That is really doing as we would be done by.'</p> + +<p>'But doing as we would be done by is +one's <em>duty</em>,' said Geoffrey.</p> + +<p>'I fear it is a duty of which you seldom +think,' replied his cousin.</p> + +<p>'Why, one can't be thinking of <em>duty</em> in +those kind of things,' answered he.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>'Why not?' asked Margaret.</p> + +<p>'Because they are such trifles; duties +are great things.'</p> + +<p>'What sort of things do you consider to +be duties?' Margaret inquired.</p> + +<p>'Oh, such things as letting oneself be +tortured, like Regulus; or forgiving an +enemy who has shot poisoned arrows at +one, like Cœur de Lion.'</p> + +<p>'Well,' said Margaret smiling, 'such +heroic duties as those do not seem likely to +fall in your way just now, perhaps they +never may. Our fellow-creatures are so +kind to us, that we are seldom called upon +to fulfil any but small duties towards them, +or what you would consider such; for I cannot +allow any duty to be small, especially +that of doing as we would be done by. If +we do not fulfil that in trifles, we shall +probably never fulfil it at all. This is a +serious thought, Geoffrey.'</p> + +<p>Geoffrey looked up; and as he seemed +inclined to listen, Margaret continued talking +to him kindly but gravely, bringing +many things before his mind as duties<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +which he had hitherto considered to be +matters of indifference. But Margaret +would not allow any thing to be a trifle +in which one person could give pain or +pleasure, trouble or relief, annoyance or +comfort to another, or by which any one's +own mind or habits could be either injured +or improved. She maintained that there +was a right and a wrong to every thing, +and that right and wrong could never be +trifles, whether in great things or small. +By degrees the conversation turned upon +matters far too solemn to be repeated by a +mere plaything like myself; but I thought, +as I heard her, that it might be better to +be a poor wooden figure which could do +neither right nor wrong, than a human +being who neglected his appointed duties.</p> + +<p>Geoffrey said little, but he shook hands +with Margaret when she had finished speaking, +and I noticed from that day forward a +gradual improvement in his conduct. Bad +habits are not cured in a minute, and he +did not become all at once as gentle and +considerate as Willy, nor as kind and helpful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> +as Edward; but he put himself in the +right road, and seemed in a fair way of +overtaking them in due time. He at once +left off <em>active</em> mischief; and if he could not +avoid being occasionally troublesome, he at +any rate cured himself of teazing people +on purpose. And it was remarkable how +many employments he found as soon as his +mind was disengaged from mischief. Instead +of his dawdling about all the morning +calling things stupid, and saying he had +nothing to do, all manner of pleasant occupations +seemed to start up in his path, as if +made to order for him, now that he had +time to attend to them. When he relinquished +the pleasure of spoiling things, +he acquired the far greater pleasure of +learning to make them. When Edward +was no longer afraid of trusting him with +his tools, it was wonderful what a carpenter +he turned out. When Margaret could venture +to leave drawing materials within his +reach, he began to draw capitally. Good-natured +Margaret gave him lessons, and said +she would never wish for a better scholar.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> +He found it was twice the pleasure to walk +or play with Edward when he was thought +an acquisition instead of a burden; and far +more agreeable to have Rose and Willy +anxious for his company than wishing to +get rid of him. But the advantages were +not confined to himself; the whole house +shared in them; for his perpetual small +annoyances had made every body uncomfortable, +whereas now, by attention to what +he used to look upon as trifles, he found +he had the power of contributing his part +towards the happiness of his fellow-creatures, +which is no trifle.</p> + +<p>On the last day of the holidays, the young +people were all assembled in the schoolroom +till it was time for Edward and Geoffrey to +start. While Edward was arranging various +matters with Willy, I heard Geoffrey whisper +to Margaret that he hoped she had +forgiven him for spoiling that drawing of +hers. She seemed at first really not to know +what he meant; but when she recollected it, +she answered with a smile, 'Oh, my dear +Geoffrey, I had forgiven and forgotten it long<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +ago. Pray never think of it again yourself.' +Geoffrey next went up to Rose and put a +little parcel into her hands. On opening it, +she found a box of very pretty bonbons in +the shape of various vegetables. When she +admired them, he seemed much pleased, and +said that he had saved up his money to buy +them, in hopes she might like them for her +dolls' feasts. Rose kissed and thanked him, +and said she only wished he could stay and +help her and her dolls to eat them. Every +body took an affectionate leave of Geoffrey, +and Willy said he was very sorry to lose +him, and should miss him sadly.</p> + +<p>Edward and Geoffrey returned to school, +and I never saw Geoffrey again; but a constant +correspondence was kept up between +him and his cousins, and I often heard +pleasant mention of his progress and improvement.</p> + +<p>Time passed on; what length of time I +cannot say, all seasons and their change +being alike to me; but school-days and holidays +succeeded one another, and our family +grew older in appearance and habits. Rose<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> +gradually spent less time with me, and more +with her books and music, till at last, though +she still kept my house in order, she never +actually played with me, unless younger +children came to visit her, and <em>then</em>, indeed, +I was as popular as ever. But on a little +friend's one day remarking that I had worn +the same gown for a month, Rose answered +that she herself had the charge of her own +clothes now, and that what with keeping +them in order, and doing fancy-work as +presents for her friends, she found no time +to work for dolls.</p> + +<p>By and by, her time for needlework was +fully engaged in Geoffrey's behalf. He was +going to sea; and Rose was making purses, +slippers, portfolios, and every thing she could +think of as likely to please him. Perhaps +<em>her</em> most useful keepsake was a sailor's housewife; +but many nice things were sent him +from every one of the family. I saw a trunk +full of presents packed and sent off. And +when I recollected my first acquaintance +with him, I could not but marvel over the +change that had taken place, before books,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +drawing materials, and mathematical instruments +could have been chosen as the gifts +best suited to his taste.</p> + +<p>Edward used to come home from school +as merry and good-humored as ever, and +growing taller and stronger every holiday. +Rose and Margaret were as flourishing as +he; but poor Willy grew weaker, and thinner, +and paler. Fresh springs and summers +brought him no revival, but as they faded, +he seemed to fade with them. He read more +than ever; and his sisters were frequently +occupied in reading and writing under his +direction, for they were anxious to help him +in his pursuits. His Papa and Mama sometimes +said he studied too hard; and they used +to sit with him, and try to amuse him by +conversation, when they wished to draw him +from his books. Doctors visited him, and +prescribed many remedies; and his Mama +gave him all the medicines herself, and took +care that every order was implicitly obeyed. +His father carried him up and down stairs, +and waited upon him as tenderly as even +Margaret; but he grew no better with all<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> +their care. He was always gentle and patient, +but he appeared in less good spirits than +formerly. He seemed to enjoy going out in +his wheel-chair more than any thing; but +one day he observed that the summer was +fast coming to an end, and that then he must +shut himself up in his room, for that he +minded the cold more than he used.</p> + +<p>'I wish we lived in a warmer country,' said +Rose; 'perhaps then you might get better.'</p> + +<p>'I do not know about <em>living</em>,' replied +Willy. 'England is the best country to <em>live</em> +in; but I certainly should like to be out of +the way of the cold for this next winter.'</p> + +<p>'Why do not you tell Papa so?' asked +Rose.</p> + +<p>'Because I know very well he would take +me a journey directly, however inconvenient +it might be to him.'</p> + +<p>Rose said nothing more just then, but she +took the first opportunity of telling her father +what had passed; and he said he was very +glad indeed that she had let him know.</p> + +<p>From that day forward something more +than usual seemed in contemplation. Papa,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +Mama, and Margaret were constantly consulting +together, and Edward, Rose, and +Willy followed their example. As for me, +nobody had time to bestow a look or a +thought upon me; but I made myself happy +by looking at and thinking of <em>them</em>.</p> + +<p>One morning two doctors together paid +Willy a long visit. After they were gone, +his Papa and Mama came into his room.</p> + +<p>'Well, my boy,' his father exclaimed in +an unusually cheerful tone, 'it is quite +settled now; Madeira is the place, and I +hope you like the plan.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, Papa,' said Willy, 'is it really worth +while?'</p> + +<p>'Of course it is worth while, a hundred +times over,' replied his father; 'and we will +be off in the first ship.'</p> + +<p>'The doctors strongly advise it, and we +have all great hopes from it, my dear Willy,' +said his mother.</p> + +<p>'Then so have I,' said Willy; 'and, indeed, +I like it extremely, and I am very grateful +to you. The only thing I mind is, that you +and my father should have to leave home<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +and make a long sea voyage, when you do +not like travelling, and Papa has so much to +keep him in England.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, never mind me,' said his mother; 'I +shall like nothing so well as travelling, if it +does you good.'</p> + +<p>'And never mind me,' said his father; +'there is nothing of so much consequence to +keep me in England, as your health to take +me out of it.'</p> + +<p>'Besides, my dear child,' said his mother, +'as the change of climate is so strongly +recommended for you, it becomes a duty as +well as a pleasure to try it.'</p> + +<p>'So make your mind easy, my boy,' added +his father; 'and I will go and take our passage +for Madeira.'</p> + +<p>The father left the room, and the mother +remained conversing with her sick child, +whose spirits were unusually excited. I +scarcely knew him again. He was generally +slow and quiet, and rather desponding about +himself; but he now thought he should +certainly get well, and was so eager and +anxious to start without delay, that his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +mother had some difficulty in reconciling +him to the idea that no ship would sail till +next month. She also took great pains to +impress upon him the duty of resignation, +in case the attempt should fail, after all, +in restoring his health; and she finally left +him, not less hopeful, but more calm and +contented with whatever might befall him.</p> + +<p>And now began the preparations for the +voyage. There was no time to spare, considering +all that had to be done. Every +body was at work; and though poor Willy +himself could not do much to help, he +thought of nothing else. His common books +and drawings were changed for maps and +voyages; the track to Madeira was looked +up by him and Rose every day, and sometimes +two or three times in the day, and +every book consulted that contained the least +reference to the Madeira Isles.</p> + +<p>Edward was an indefatigable packer. He +was not to be one of the travellers, as his +father did not choose to interrupt his school-education; +but no one was more active than +he in forwarding the preparations for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> +voyage, and no one more sanguine about its +results.</p> + +<p>'We shall have Willy back,' he would +say, 'turned into a fine strong fellow, as +good a cricketer as Geoffrey or I, and a +better scholar than either of us.'</p> + +<p>Margaret and Rose were to go; and Rose's +young friends all came to take leave of her, +and talk over the plan, and find Madeira in +the map, and look at views of the island, +which had been given to Willy. And a +sailor-friend, who had been all over the +world, used to come and describe Madeira +as one of the most beautiful of all the beautiful +places he had visited, and tell of its blue +sea, fresh and bright, without storms; its +high mountains, neither barren nor bleak; +and its climate, so warm and soft, that Willy +might sit out all day in the beautiful gardens +under hedges of fragrant geraniums. And +when Willy talked of enjoying the gardens +while his stronger sisters were climbing the +hills, there was more to be told of cradles +borne upon men's shoulders, in which Willy +could be carried to the top of the highest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +hills as easily as his sisters on their mountain +ponies. And now the packing was all finished, +and the luggage sent on board, and every +body was anxious to follow it; for the ship +was reported as quite comfortable, and the +house was decidedly the reverse. Margaret +and her father had been on board to arrange +the cabins, accompanied by their sailor-friend, +who professed to know how to fit up a berth +better than any body. He had caused all +the furniture to be fastened, or, as he called +it, <em>cleated</em> to the floor, that it might not roll +about in rough weather. The books were +secured in the shelves by bars, and swinging +tables hung from the ceilings. Willy's couch +was in the most airy and convenient place at +the stern cabin window, and there was an +easy chair for him when he should be able +to come out on deck. The ship was said to +be in perfect order, whereas the house was +in the utmost confusion and desolation: the +carpets rolled up, the pictures taken down, +the mirrors covered with muslin, the furniture +and bookcases with canvass; not a +vestige left of former habits and occupations,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +except me and my little mansion. But in +the midst of all the bustle, I was as calm +and collected as if nothing had happened. I +sat quietly in my arm-chair, staring composedly +at all that went on, contented and +happy, though apparently forgotten by every +body. Indeed, such was my placid, patient +disposition, that I do not believe I should +have uttered a sound or moved a muscle if +the whole of London had fallen about my +little ears.</p> + +<p>I did certainly sometimes wish to know +what was to become of me, and at last that +information was given me.</p> + +<p>The night before they sailed, Rose busied +herself with Sarah in packing up my house +and furniture, which were to be sent to a little +girl who had long considered it her greatest +treat to play with them. But Rose did +not pack me up with my goods and chattels.</p> + +<p>'My poor old Seraphina,' said she, as she +removed me from my arm-chair, 'you and I +have passed many a happy day together, +and I do not like to throw you away as +mere rubbish; but the new mistress of your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +house has already more dolls than she +knows what to do with. You are no great +beauty now, but I wish I knew any child +who would care for you.'</p> + +<p>'If you please to give her to me, Miss +Rose,' said Sarah, 'my little niece, that your +Mama is so kind as to put to school, would +thank you kindly, and think her the greatest +of beauties.'</p> + +<p>'Oh, then, take her by all means, Sarah,' +replied Rose; 'and here is a little trunk to +keep her clothes in. I remember I used to +be very fond of that trunk; so I dare say +your little Susan will like it, though it is +not quite new.'</p> + +<p>'That she will, and many thanks to you, +Miss. Susan will be as delighted with it +now, as you were a year or two ago.'</p> + +<p>So they wrapped me up in paper, and +Rose having given me a farewell kiss, which +I would have returned if I could, Sarah +put me and my trunk both into her great +pocket; and on the same day that my old +friends embarked for their distant voyage, +I was carried to my new home.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + + +<p>And now began a third stage of my +existence, and a fresh variety of life.</p> + +<p>I at first feared that I should have +great difficulty in reconciling myself to the +change; and my reflections in Sarah's dark +pocket were of the most gloomy cast. I +dreaded poverty and neglect. How should +I, accustomed to the refinements of polished +life and the pleasures of cultivated society, +endure to be tossed about with no home of +my own, and perhaps no one who really +cared for me? I knew that I was not in +my first bloom, and it seemed unlikely that +a new acquaintance should feel towards me +like my old friend Rose, who had so long +known my value. Perhaps I might be +despised; perhaps allowed to go ragged, +perhaps even dirty! My spirits sunk, and +had I been human, I should have wept.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>But cheerful voices aroused me from this +melancholy reverie, and I found myself +restored to the pleasant light in the hands +of a goodhumored-looking little girl, whose +reception of me soon banished my fears. +For, although altered since the days of my +introduction to the world in the bazaar, so +that my beauty was not quite what it had +been, I still retained charms enough to +make me a valuable acquisition to a child +who had not much choice of toys; and my +disposition and manners were as amiable +and pleasing as ever. My new mistress +and I soon loved each other dearly; and in +her family I learned that people might be +equally happy and contented under very +different outward circumstances.</p> + +<p>Nothing could well be more unlike my +former home than that to which I was now +introduced. Susan, my little mistress, was +a child of about the same age as Rose when +she first bought me; but Susan had no +money to spend in toys, and very little time +to play with them, though she enjoyed them +as much as Rose herself. She gave me a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> +hearty welcome; and though she could offer +me no furnished house, with its elegancies +and comforts, she assigned me the best +place in her power—the corner of a shelf +on which she kept her books, slate, needlework, +and inkstand. And there I lived, +sitting on my trunk, and observing human +life from a new point of view. And though +my dignity might appear lowered in the +eyes of the unthinking, I felt that the +respectability of my character was really in +no way diminished; for I was able to fulfil +the great object of my existence as well as +ever, by giving innocent pleasure, and being +useful in my humble way.</p> + +<p>No other dolls now visited me; but I +was not deprived of the enjoyments of inanimate +society, for I soon struck up an +intimate acquaintance with an excellent +Pen in the inkstand by my side, and we +passed our leisure hours very pleasantly in +communicating to each other our past adventures. +His knowledge of life was limited, +having resided in that inkstand, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +performed all the writing of the family, +ever since he was a quill. But his experience +was wise and virtuous; and he could +bear witness to many an industrious effort +at improvement, in which he had been the +willing instrument; and to many a hard +struggle for honesty and independence, +which figures of his writing had recorded. +I liked to watch the good Pen at his work +when the father of the family spent an hour +in the evening in teaching Susan and her +brothers to write; or when the careful +mother took him in hand to help her in +balancing her accounts, and ascertaining +that she owed no one a penny, before she +ventured upon any new purchase. Then +my worthy friend was in his glory; and it +was delightful to see how he enjoyed his +work. He had but one fault, which was a +slight tendency to splutter; and as he was +obliged to keep that under restraint while +engaged in writing, he made himself amends +by a little praise of himself, when relating +his exploits to a sympathising friend like +myself. On his return with the inkstand to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +the corner of my shelf, he could not resist +sometimes boasting when he had not made +a single blot; or confessing to me, in perfect +confidence, how much the thinness of Susan's +upstrokes, or the thickness of her downstrokes, +was owing to the clearness of his +slit or the fineness of his nib.</p> + +<p>The family of which we made part lived +frugally and worked hard: but they were +healthy and happy. The father with his +boys went out early in the morning to the +daily labor by which they maintained the +family. The mother remained at home, to +take care of the baby and do the work of the +house. She was the neatest and most careful +person I ever saw, and she brought up her +daughter Susan to be as notable as herself.</p> + +<p>Susan was an industrious little girl, and +in her childish way worked almost as hard +as her mother. She helped to sweep the +house, and nurse the baby, and mend the +clothes, and was as busy as a bee. But she +was always tidy; and though her clothes +were often old and shabby, I never saw them +dirty or ragged. Indeed, I must own that,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +in point of <em>neatness</em>, Susan was even superior +to my old friend Rose. Rose would break +her strings, or lose her buttons, or leave holes +in her gloves, till reproved by her Mama for +untidiness: but Susan never forgot that 'a +stitch in time saves nine,' and the stitch was +never wanting.</p> + +<p>She used to go to school for some hours +every day: and I should have liked to go +with her, and help her in her studies, especially +when I found that she was learning +the multiplication-table, and I remembered +how useful I had been to Rose in that very +lesson; but dolls were not allowed at school, +and I was obliged to wait patiently for +Susan's company till she had finished all +her business, both at school and at home.</p> + +<p>She had so little time to bestow upon me, +that at first I began to fear that I should be +of no use to her. The suspicion was terrible; +for the wish to be useful has been the great +idea of my life. It was my earliest hope, +and it will be my latest pleasure. I could +be happy under almost any change of circumstances; +but as long as a splinter of me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> +remains, I should never be able to reconcile +myself to the degradation of thinking that I +had been <em>of no use</em>.</p> + +<p>But I soon found I was in no danger of +what I so much dreaded. In fact, I seemed +likely to be even more useful to Susan than +to Rose. Before I had been long in the +house, she said one evening that she had an +hour to spare, and that she would make me +some clothes.</p> + +<p>'Well and good,' answered her mother; +'only be sure to put your best work in them. +If you mind your work, the doll will be of +great use to you, and you can play without +wasting your time.'</p> + +<p>This was good hearing for Susan and me, +and she spent most of her leisure in working +for me. While she was thus employed, I +came down from my shelf, and was treated +with as much consideration as when Rose +and her companions waited at my table.</p> + +<p>A great change took place in my wardrobe. +Rose had always dressed me in gay +silks and satins, without much regard to +under clothing; for, she said, as my gowns<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +must be sewn on, what did any petticoats +signify? So she sewed me up, and I looked +very smart; and if there happened to be +any unseemly cobbling, she hid it with beads +or spangles. Once I remember a very long +stitch baffled all her contrivances, and she +said I must pretend it was a new-fashioned +sort of embroidery.</p> + +<p>But Susan scorned all <em>make-shifts</em>. Nothing +could have been more unfounded than +my fears of becoming ragged or dirty. My +attire was plain and suited to my station, +but most scrupulously finished. She saw no +reason why my clothes should not be made +to take off and on, as well as if I had been a +doll three feet high. So I had my plain +gingham gowns with strings and buttons; +and my shifts and petticoats run and felled, +gathered and whipped, hemmed and stitched, +like any lady's; and every thing was neatly +marked with my initial S. But what Susan +and I were most particularly proud of, was +a pair of stays. They were a long time in +hand, for the fitting them was a most difficult +job; but when finished, they were such curiosities<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> +of needlework, that Susan's neat mother +herself used to show off the stitching +and the eyelet-holes to every friend that +came to see her.</p> + +<p>Among them, Sarah the housemaid, who +was sister to Susan's father, often called in +to ask after us all. She was left in charge +of the house where my former friends had +lived, and they sometimes sent her commissions +to execute for them. Then she was +sure to come and bring us news of <em>the family</em>, +as she always called Rose and her relations. +Sometimes she told us that Master William +was a little better; sometimes that she heard +Miss Rose was very much grown; she had +generally something to tell that we were all +glad to hear. One evening, soon after my +apparel was quite completed, I was sitting +on my trunk, as pleased with myself as +Susan was with me, when Sarah's head +peeped in at the door.</p> + +<p>'Good evening to you all,' said she; 'I +thought as I went by you would like to hear +that I have a letter from the family, and all's +well. I have got a pretty little job to do for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> +Master Willy. He is to have a set of new +shirts sent out directly, made of very fine +thin calico, because his own are too thick. +See, here is the stuff I have been buying for +them.'</p> + +<p>'It is beautiful calico, to be sure,' said +Susan's mother; 'but such fine stuff as that +will want very neat work. I am afraid you +will hardly be able to make them yourself.'</p> + +<p>'Why, no,' answered Sarah, smiling and +shaking her head. 'I am sorry to say, <em>there</em> +comes in my old trouble, not having learned +to work neatly when I was young. Take +warning by me, Susan, and mind your +needlework now-a-days. If I could work +as neatly as your mother, my mistress would +have made me lady's maid and housekeeper +by this time. But I could not learn any but +rough work, more's the pity: so I say again, +take warning by <em>me</em>, little niece; take pattern +by your mother.'</p> + +<p>Susan looked at me and smiled, as much +as to say, 'I have taken pattern by her;' +but she had not time to answer, for Sarah +continued, addressing the mother:</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 451px;"> +<img src="images/img03.png" width="451" height="600" alt="Image 3" title="" /> +<span class="caption">Page <a href="#Page_106">106</a>.</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span>'How I wish you could have time to do +this job! for it would bring you in a pretty +penny, and I know my mistress would be +pleased with your work; but they are to be +done very quickly, in time for the next ship, +and I do not see that you <em>could</em> get through +them with only one pair of hands.'</p> + +<p>'We have two pair of hands,' cried Susan; +'here are mine.'</p> + +<p>'Ah, but what can they do?' asked Sarah, +'and how can they do it? It is not enough +to have four fingers and a thumb. Hands +must be handy.'</p> + +<p>'And so they are,' answered Susan's mother. +'See whether any hands could do +neater work than that.' And she pointed +me out to Sarah.</p> + +<p>Sarah took me up, and turned me from +side to side. Then she looked at my hems, +then at my seams, then at my gathers, while +I felt truly proud and happy, conscious that +not a long stitch could be found in either.</p> + +<p>'Well to be sure!' exclaimed she, after +examining me all over; 'do you mean that +all that is really Susan's own work?'</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span>'Every stitch of it,' replied the mother; +'and I think better need not be put into any +shirt, though Master William does deserve +the best of every thing.'</p> + +<p>'You never said a truer word, neither for +Master William nor for little Susan,' replied +Sarah; 'and I wish you joy, Susan, of being +able to help your mother so nicely, for now +I can leave you the job to do between you.'</p> + +<p>She then told them what was to be the +payment for the work, which was a matter I +did not myself understand, though I could +see that it gave them great satisfaction.</p> + +<p>The money came at a most convenient +time, to help in fitting out Susan's brother +Robert for a place which had been offered +to him in the country. It was an excellent +place; but there were several things, as his +mother well knew, that poor Robert wanted +at starting, but would not mention for fear +his parents should distress themselves to +obtain them for him. Both father and +mother had been saving for the purpose, +without saying any thing about it to Robert; +but they almost despaired of obtaining more<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +than half the things they wanted, till this +little sum of money came into their hands so +opportunely.</p> + +<p>The father was in the secret, but Robert +could scarcely believe his eyes, when one +evening his mother and Susan laid on the +table before him, one by one, all the useful +articles he wished to possess. At first he +seemed almost more vexed than pleased, for +he thought of the saving and the slaving +that his mother must have gone through to +gain them; but when she told him how +much of them was due to his little sister's +neatness and industry, and how easy the +work had been when shared between them, +he was as much pleased as Susan herself.</p> + +<p>We were all very happy that evening, +including even the humble friends on the +shelf; for I sat on my trunk, and related to +the Pen how useful I had been in teaching +Susan to work; and the worthy Pen stood +bolt upright in his inkstand, and confided to +me with honest pride, that Robert had been +chosen to his situation on account of his +excellent writing.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span>Time passed on, and I suppose we all +grew older, as I noticed from time to time +various changes that seemed to proceed from +that cause. The baby, for instance, though +still going by the name of 'Baby,' had become +a strong able-bodied child, running +alone, and very difficult to keep out of +mischief. The most effectual way of keeping +her quiet was to place me in her hands, +when she would sit on the floor nursing me +by the hour together, while her mother and +sister were at work.</p> + +<p>Susan was become a tall strong girl, more +notable than ever, and, like Rose before her, +she gradually bestowed less attention on me; +so that I was beginning to feel myself neglected, +till on a certain birthday of her little +sister's, she declared her intention of making +me over altogether to the baby-sister for a +birthday present. Then I once more rose +into importance, and found powers which I +thought declining, still undiminished. The +baby gave a scream of delight when I was +placed in her hand as her own. Till then +she had only possessed one toy in the world,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> +an old wooden horse, in comparison with +which I seemed in the full bloom of youth +and beauty. This horse, which she called +<span class="smcap">Jack</span>, had lost not merely the ornaments of +mane and tail, but his head, one fore and +one hind leg; so that nothing remained of +the once noble quadruped but a barrel with +the paint scratched off, rather insecurely +perched upon a stand with wheels. But +he was a faithful animal, and did his work +to the last. The baby used to tie me on to +his barrel, and Jack and I were drawn round +and round the kitchen with as much satisfaction +to our mistress, as in the days when I +shone forth, in my gilt coach with its four +prancing piebalds.</p> + +<p>But the baby's treatment of me, though +gratifying from its cordiality, had a roughness +and want of ceremony that affected my +enfeebled frame. I could not conceal from +myself that the infirmities I had observed in +other dolls were gradually gaining ground +upon me. Nobody ever said a harsh word +to me, or dropped a hint of my being less +pretty than ever, and the baby called me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +'Beauty, beauty,' twenty times a day; but +still I knew very well that not only had my +rosy color and fine hair disappeared, but I +had lost the whole of one leg and half of the +other, and the lower joints of both my arms. +In fact, as my worthy friend the Pen +observed, both he and I were reduced to +stumps.</p> + +<p>The progress of decay caused me no regret, +for I felt that I had done my work, +and might now gracefully retire from public +life, and resign my place to newer dolls. But +though contented with my lot, I had still +one anxious wish ungratified. The thought +occupied my mind incessantly; and the more +I dwelt upon it, the stronger grew the +hope that I might have a chance of seeing +my old first friends once more. This was +now my only remaining care.</p> + +<p>News came from them from time to time. +Sarah brought word that Master William +was better; that they had left Madeira, and +gone travelling about elsewhere. Then that +the father had been in England upon business, +and gone back again; that Mr. Edward<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> +had been over to foreign parts one summer +holidays to see his family, and on his return +had come to give her an account of them.</p> + +<p>Sarah was always very bustling when she +had any news to bring of the family, but one +day she called on us in even more flurry +than usual. She was quite out of breath +with eagerness.</p> + +<p>'Sit down and rest a minute before you +begin to speak,' said her quiet sister-in-law. +'There must be some great news abroad. It +seems almost too much for you.'</p> + +<p>Susan nodded, and began to unpack a +great parcel she had brought with her.</p> + +<p>'It don't seem bad news, to judge by your +face,' said the other; for now that Sarah had +recovered breath, her smiles succeeded one +another so fast, that she seemed to think +words superfluous.</p> + +<p>'I guess, I guess,' cried Susan. 'They are +coming home.'</p> + +<p>'They are, indeed,' answered Sarah at last; +'they are coming home as fast as steam-engines +can bring them: and here is work +more than enough for you and mother till<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> +they come. Miss Margaret is going to be +married, and you are to make the wedding-clothes.'</p> + +<p>So saying, she finished unpacking her +parcel, and produced various fine materials +which required Susan's neatest work.</p> + +<p>'These are for you to begin with,' said +she, 'but there is more coming.' She then +read a letter from the ladies with directions +about the needlework, to which Susan and +her mother listened with great attention. +Then Sarah jumped up, saying she must not +let the grass grow under her feet, for she had +plenty to do. The whole house was to be +got ready; and she would not have a thing +out of its place, nor a speck of dust to be +found, for any money.</p> + +<p>Susan and her mother lost no time either; +their needles never seemed to stop: and I +sat on the baby's lap watching them, and +enjoying the happy anticipation that my last +wish would soon be accomplished.</p> + +<p>But though Susan was as industrious as +a girl could be, and just now wished to work +harder than ever, she was not doomed to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +'all work and no play;' for her father took +care that his children should enjoy themselves +at proper times. In summer evenings, +after he came home from his work, they used +often to go out all together for a walk in the +nearest park, when he and his wife would +rest under the trees, and read over Robert's +last letter, while the children amused themselves. +Very much we all enjoyed it, for +even I was seldom left behind. Susan would +please the baby by dressing me in my best +clothes for the walk; and the good-natured +father would laugh merrily at us, and remark +how much good the fresh air did me. We +were all very happy; and when my thoughts +travelled to other scenes and times, I sometimes +wondered whether my former friends +enjoyed themselves as much in their southern +gardens, as this honest family in their English +fields.</p> + +<p>Our needlework was finished and sent to +Sarah's care to await Margaret's arrival, for +which we were very anxious.</p> + +<p>On returning home one evening after our<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +walk, we passed, as we often did, through +the street in which I had formerly lived. +Susan was leading her little sister, who, on +her part, clutched me in a way very unlike +the gentleness which Susan bestowed upon +her. On arriving at the well-known house, +we saw Sarah standing at the area-gate. +We stopped to speak to her.</p> + +<p>'When are they expected?' asked Susan's +mother.</p> + +<p>'They may be here any minute,' answered +Sarah; 'Mr. Edward has just brought the +news.'</p> + +<p>The street-door now opened, and two gentlemen +came out and stood on the steps. +One was a tall fine-looking boy, grown +almost into a young man; but I could not +mistake the open good-humored countenance +of my old friend Edward. The other was +older, and I recognised him as the traveller +who used to describe Madeira to Willy.</p> + +<p>They did not notice us, for we stood back +so as not to intrude, and their minds were +evidently fully occupied with the expected +meeting.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>We all gazed intently down the street, +every voice hushed in eager interest. Even +my own little mistress, usually the noisiest +of her tribe, was silent as myself. It was a +quiet street and a quiet time, and the roll of +the distant carriages would scarcely have +seemed to break the silence, had it not been +for our intense watching, and hoping that +the sound of every wheel would draw nearer. +We waited long, and were more than once +disappointed by carriages passing us and +disappearing at the end of the street. Edward +and his friend walked up and down, +east and west, north and south, in hopes of +descrying the travellers in the remotest distance. +But after each unavailing walk, they +took up their post again on the steps.</p> + +<p>At last a travelling carriage laden with +luggage turned the nearest corner, rolled +towards us, and stopped at the house. The +two gentlemen rushed down the steps, flung +open the carriage-door, and for some moments +all was hurry and agitation, and I +could distinguish nothing.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span>I much feared that I should now be +obliged to go home without actually seeing +my friends, for they had passed so quickly +from the carriage to the house, and there +had been so much confusion and excitement +during those few seconds, that my transient +glance scarcely allowed me to know one +from another; but in course of time Sarah +came out again, and asked Susan's father to +help in unloading the carriage, desiring us +to sit meanwhile in the housekeeper's room. +So we waited till the business was finished, +when, to my great joy, we were summoned +to the sitting-room, and I had the happiness +of seeing all the family once more assembled.</p> + +<p>I was delighted to find how much less +they were altered than I. I had been half +afraid that I might see one without a leg, +another without an arm, according to the +dilapidations which had taken place in my +own frame; but strange to say, their sensitive +bodies, which felt every change of +weather, shrunk from a rough touch, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> +bled at the scratch of a pin, had outlasted +mine, though insensible to pain or sickness. +There stood the father, scarcely altered; his +hair perhaps a little more gray, but his eyes +as quick and bright as ever. And there +was the mother, still grave and gentle, but +looking less sad and careworn than in the +days of Willy's constant illness. And there +was, first in interest to me, my dear mistress, +Rose, as tall as Margaret, and as handsome +as Edward. I could not imagine her condescending +to play with me now. Margaret +looked just as in former times, good and +graceful; but she stood a little apart with +the traveller friend by her side, and I heard +Rose whisper to Susan that the wedding +was to take place in a fortnight. They +were only waiting for Geoffrey to arrive. +His ship was daily expected, and they all +wished him to be present.</p> + +<p>And Willy, for whose sake the long journey +had been made, how was he? Were all +their hopes realized? Edward shook his +head when Susan's mother asked that question;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +but Willy was there to answer it himself. +He was standing by the window, leaning +on a stick, it is true, but yet able to stand. +As he walked across the room, I saw that +he limped slightly, but could move about +where he pleased. He still looked thin and +pale, but the former expression of suffering +and distress had disappeared, and his countenance +was as cheerful as his manner. I +could see that he was very much better, +though not in robust health like Edward's. +He thanked Susan's mother for her kind +inquiries, and said that, though he had not +become all that his sanguine brother hoped, +he had gained health more than enough to +satisfy himself; that he was most thankful +for his present comfort and independence; +and that if he was not quite so strong as +other people, he hoped he should at any +rate make a good use of the strength that +was allowed him. Turning to Edward, +who still looked disappointed, he continued: +'Who could have ventured to hope, Edward, +three years ago, that you and I should now<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +be going to college together?' And then +even Edward smiled and seemed content.</p> + +<p>As we turned to leave the room, Susan +and her little sister lingered for a moment +behind the others, and the child held me up +towards Rose. Rose started, and exclaimed, +'Is it possible? It really <em>is</em> my poor old +Seraphina. Who would have thought of her +being still in existence? What a good, useful +doll she has been! I really must give +her a kiss once more for old friendship's +sake.'</p> + +<p>So saying, she kissed both me and the +baby, and we left the house.</p> + +<p>And now there remains but little more +for me to relate. My history and my existence +are fast drawing to an end; my last +wish has been gratified by my meeting with +Rose, and my first hope realized by her +praise of my usefulness. She has since +given the baby a new doll, and I am finally +laid on the shelf, to enjoy, in company with +my respected friend the Pen, a tranquil old +age. When he, like myself, was released<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +from active work, and replaced by one of +Mordan's patent steel, he kindly offered to +employ his remaining leisure in writing from +my dictation, and it is in compliance with +his advice that I have thus ventured to +record my experience.</p> + +<p>That experience has served to teach me +that, as all inanimate things have some +destined use, so all rational creatures have +some appointed duties, and are happy and +well employed while fulfilling them.</p> + +<p>With this reflection, I bid a grateful farewell +to those young patrons of my race who +have kindly taken an interest in my memoirs, +contentedly awaiting the time when the small +remnant of my frame shall be reduced to +dust, and my quiet existence sink into a still +more profound repose.</p> + + +<p class="center" style="margin-top: 80px; margin-bottom: 40px;">THE END.</p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Doll and Her Friends, by Unknown + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DOLL AND HER FRIENDS *** + +***** This file should be named 21861-h.htm or 21861-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/1/8/6/21861/ + +Produced by David Edwards, Jana Srna and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +file was produced from images generously made available +by The University of Florida, The Internet +Archive/Children's Library) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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