The Doll and Her Friends | Page 7

now sunk before the dread that I had really no merit
to neglect.

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.
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.
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 think there are any prettier dolls
than these in the whole room.'
'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.
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.
'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, this 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 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.
CHAPTER II.
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.
Having hitherto been so completely without any position in the world, I
could not at first help feeling rather shy at the idea of 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.
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.
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 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