49 THE DOLL AND HER FRIENDS.

Then I was in my glory. There was a constant
supply of provisions in my larder; and at a mo-
ment’s notice Rose would produce an excellent din-
ner, all ready cooked, and dished in a beautiful little
china dinner-service. Willy compared her to the
genius of Aladdin’s lamp; and though I did not
know what that might mean, I quite understood the
advantage of being able to set such a banquet before
my friends. I could always command salmon, a
pair of soles, a leg’ of mutton, a leg of pork, a tur-
key, a pair of boiled fowls, a ham, a sucking pig, a
hare, a loaf of bread, a fine Cheshire cheese, several
pies, and a great variety of fruit, which was always
ripe and in season, winter or summer. Rose’s papa
once observed that his hothouse produced none so
fine ; for the currants were as large as apples, and
two cherries filled a dish.

Rose and her companions performed the active
duties of waiting at table on these occasions; but
the lame footman was generally brought out of the -
hall, and propped up against the sideboard, where
he stood looking respectable but awkward.

At these pleasant parties I saw a great range
of characters, for Rose’s young visitors were various
im their tastes, and their dolls used to be dressed in
every known costume. Besides plenty of pretty En-
glish damsels, I was introduced now to a Turkish