THE DOLL AND HER FRIENDS: 29

SERAPHINA was decided to be thenceforth my name
and title. :

And now began the real business of my life. I
was no longer doomed to fret at being of no use, for
the object of my existence was plain enough, namely,
to give innocent recreation to my young mistress
when at leisure from her more serious employments.
Every day she spent some hours in study with her
mother or sister; and she would fly to me for relief
between her lessons, and return to them with more
vigour after passing a little time in my refreshing
company. She often shewed her tasks to me, and
discussed their difficulties. I think she repeated the
multiplication-table to me nearly a hundred times,
while I sat on the Zutor’s Assistant waiting for the
recurrence of the fatal words, “ Seven times nine.”
Day after day she could get no farther; but as
soon as she came to “ Seven times nine,” I was
turned off the book, which had to be consulted for
the answer.

At last, one day she came running into the room
in great glee, exclaiming, “I have done the multi-
plication-table. I have said it quite right, sixty-
three and all. I made no mistake even in dodging.
And you helped me, my darling Lady Seraphina.
I never could have learned it perfect if you had not
heard me say it so often. And now, look at your