THE DOLL AND HER FRIENDS. 27

“JT wouldn't be you, I know,” said Geoffrey,
cracking one between his teeth; “ never let to eat
any thing but what’s wholesome, and always read-
ing, or doing something stupid. I believe you are
helping Rose to play with that doll now. Put it
into the fire; that is the way to treat dolls. Stupid
things. I hate ’em !”

“Pray do not touch it, Geoffrey,” said Rose.

“Leave it alone, Geff,” said Edward. “ You
have your things, and Rose has hers. I don’t see
the fun of dolls myself, but she does, and nobody
shall interfere with her while I am here to protect
her. Just remember that, will you ?”

“The d-o-ll!” said Geoffrey, drawling the word,
and making a face as if the pronouncing it turned
him quite sick. “Oh, the sweet doll! Perhaps
you would like to stay and play with Rose, and
Willy, and the d-o-ll, instead of coming out to
cricket.”

“ Nonsense, you foolish fellow, you know better,”
answered Edward. “But I won’t have Rose bullied ;
and what’s more, I won’t have Willy quizzed. I
should like to see you or me pass such an exami-
nation as Willy could if he were at school. Why,
he can learn as much in a day as we do in a
week.” :
“Well, he is welcome to learn as much as he