or 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; 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 be going to college
together?' And then even Edward smiled and seemed content.

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 _is_ 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.'

So saying, she kissed both me and the baby, and we left the house.

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 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.

That experience has served to teach me that, as all inanimate things
have some destined use, so all rational creat