38 THE DOLL. AND HER FRIENDS.

pose, did Rose; and gradually her reproaches di-
minished, and she grew more contented with me;
and we both persevered, till she said that really, after
all, I seemed to have a good ear, and to be likely
to make a very respectable player.

“ But you know it all depends upon yourself,
Seraphina; your present improvement is the result
of pains and practice. Pains and practice will do
any thing.”

It was fortunate fe me that I had so careful a
superintendent as Rose; for unless she had kept a .
constant watch over me, there is no saying how
many awkward habits I might unconsciously have
contracted. But she cured me of poking my head
forward, of standing on one lee, of tilting my chair,
of meddling with things that were not my own, of
leaning against the furniture while I was speaking,
of putting my elbows on the table, of biting my
nails, of spilling my tea, and of making crumbs on
the floor.

I cannot say I was myself aware either of the
faults or their cure; but I think one seldom does
notice one’s own faults, and therefore it is a great
advantage to have kind friends who will point them
out to us. I believed Rose when she told me of
mine; so I had a right to believe her when she
gave me the agreeable assurance of their cure, and