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 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
_Tutor's Assistant_ 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.

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 _you_
helped me, my darling Lady Seraphina. I never could have learned it
perfect if 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.'

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 _etre_ and _avoir_. I flatter