THE DOLL AND HER FRIENDS. Z

At her will the largest top hummed, or was silent ;
the whip cracked, or lay harmlessly by the side of
the horse. She moved us from place to place, and
exhibited or hid us at her pleasure; but she was
always so extremely careful of our health and looks,
and her life seemed so entirely devoted to us and to
our advantage, that I often doubted whether she
was our property or we hers. Her habits varied
so little from day to day, that after watching her
for a reasonable time, I felt myself perfectly ac-
quainted with her, and in a condition to make ob-
servations upon others of her race. |

One day a lady and a little girl stopped at our stall.

“Oh, what a splendid doll!” exclaimed the
child, pointing to the waxen beauty which outshone
the rest of our tribe. It was the first time I had
heard the word Doll, though I was well acquainted
with the illustrious individual to whom it was ap-
plied ; and it now flashed upon my mind, with pride
and pleasure, that, however insignificant in compa-
rison, I too was a doll. But I had not time to
think very deeply about my name and nature just
then, as I wished to listen to the conversation of
the two human beings.

“ May I buy her ?” said the little girl.

“Can you afford it?” asked the lady in return.
_“ Remember your intentions for your brother.”