of the other boys restrained him from doing me any harm in
his power.

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 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.

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.

'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, till I had gone through all the noises I know. Now I have
nothing to do.'

He walked to the window and looked out.

'What a stupid street it is!' said he. 'If my uncle had not taken away
my squirt, I would squirt at the people.'

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!'

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.

'You stupid, ugly thing,' he exclaimed, 'don't stare so. I hate to have
a doll's eyes goggling at me.'

Gladly would I have withdrawn my eyes, if possible.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 no control over them, so I stared on, and he grew
more indignant.

'If you don't leave off,'