72 Foachim the Mimic.

nefs had not become notorious, fhe had heard no
complaints from the Mafters, and thinking he did
his leffons well, fhe felt averfe to {topping his fun
and amufements in holiday hours. Still, fhe had
latterly begun to have mifgivings which this event
confirmed. In a few days Joachim was better,
and came down ftairs, and his Aunt and two or
three Coufins called to enquire after him. Their
prefence revived Joachim’s flagging fpirits, and all
the boys got together to talk and laugh. Soon
their voices echoed through the houfe. Joachim
was at his old tricks again, and the Schoolboys,
the Ufhers and the Matter all furnifhed food for
mirth. His Coufins roared with delight. ‘“ Clever
child !”? exclaimed his Aunt, ‘* what a treafure
you are ina houfe! one could never be dull where
you are!” ‘Sifter, Sifter !” cried Joachim’s Mo-
ther, “‘ do not fay fo!” ‘ My dear,” faid the
Aunt, “ are you dull enough to be unable to ap-
preciate your own child’s wit; oh, | wifh you
would give him to me. Come here, my dear
Joachim, and do the boy that walks fo badly once
more for me; it’s enough to kill one to fee you
take him off!” Joachim’s fpirits rofe above all
controul. Excited by his Aunt’s praife and the
fenfe of fuperior ability, he furpafled himfelf. He
gave the bad walker to perfection ; then imitated
a lad who had commenced finging leffons, and
whofe voice was at prefent broken and bad. He
even gave the big boy’s lifp once more, and followed
on with a feries of pantomimic exhibitions.