The Doll and Her Friends | Page 8

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.
'Look at this, Willy; is not this pretty?' exclaimed Rose, laying me
down on his open book.
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.'
'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?'
'Rose,' answered Willy, laughing; 'but I suppose that will not do. I dare
say you want something very fine and out-of-the-way.'
'As fine as can be,' replied Rose; 'I have been thinking of Seraphina or
Wilhelmina: which do you like best?'
'Call it Molly,' cried Edward, who just then entered the room; 'Molly
and Betty are the best names: no nonsense in them.'
'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.
'No, thank you,' answered Willy; 'I must not eat them.'
'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!'
'Pray do not touch it, Geoffrey,' said Rose.
'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?'
'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.'
'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.'
'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.'
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 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.

They admired the name Seraphina, 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 LADY SERAPHINA was decided to be thenceforth my
name and title.
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 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