ow-creatures, which is no trifle.

On the last day of the holidays, the young people were all assembled in
the schoolroom till it was time for Edward and Geoffrey to start. While
Edward was arranging various matters with Willy, I heard Geoffrey
whisper to Margaret that he hoped she had forgiven him for spoiling that
drawing of hers. She seemed at first really not to know what he meant;
but when she recollected it, she answered with a smile, 'Oh, my dear
Geoffrey, I had forgiven and forgotten it long ago. Pray never think of
it again yourself.' Geoffrey next went up to Rose and put a little
parcel into her hands. On opening it, she found a box of very pretty
bonbons in the shape of various vegetables. When she admired them, he
seemed much pleased, and said that he had saved up his money to buy
them, in hopes she might like them for her dolls' feasts. Rose kissed
and thanked him, and said she only wished he could stay and help her and
her dolls to eat them. Every body took an affectionate leave of
Geoffrey, and Willy said he was very sorry to lose him, and should miss
him sadly.

Edward and Geoffrey returned to school, and I never saw Geoffrey again;
but a constant correspondence was kept up between him and his cousins,
and I often heard pleasant mention of his progress and improvement.

Time passed on; what length of time I cannot say, all seasons and their
change being alike to me; but school-days and holidays succeeded one
another, and our family grew older in appearance and habits. Rose
gradually spent less time with me, and more with her books and music,
till at last, though she still kept my house in order, she never
actually played with me, unless younger children came to visit her, and
_then_, indeed, I was as popular as ever. But on a little friend's one
day remarking that I had worn the same gown for a month, Rose answered
that she herself had the charge of her own clothes now, and that what
with keeping them in order, and doing fancy-work as presents for her
friends, she found no time to work for dolls.

By and by, her time for needlework was fully engaged in Geoffrey's
behalf. He was going to sea; and Rose was making purses, slippers,
portfolios, and every thing she could think of as likely to please him.
Perhaps _her_ most useful keepsake was a sailor's housewife; but many
nice things were sent him from every one of the family. I saw a trunk
full of presents packed and sent off. And when I recollected my f