48 THE DOLL AND HER FRIENDS.

“ He is very thoughtless,” Margaret replied ;
“ but we must not be too hard upon him. Let us
recollect that he has no parents to teach him better,
nor brothers and sisters to call forth his considera-

tion for others. Poor Geoffrey has had neither
* example nor precept till now. But now Papa and
Mama five him good precepts; and if we try to
set him good examples, perhaps we may help him
‘to improve.”

“ Well, I'll hope for the best, and do what I
can,” said Willy. “ Certainly he has some good
qualities. He is as brave as a lion; and he is good-
natured about giving away his own things, though
he is so mischievous with other people’s.”

“ And he is clever in his way, notwithstand-
ing’ his idleness,” added Margaret. ‘“ Those foolish
figures that he put into my drawing were uncom-
monly well done, though they were provoking to us.”

“You are the best girl in the world,” said
Willy ; “and if you think Geoffrey will improve,
Pll think so too; but you must own there is room
for it.”

Perhaps Geoffrey did improve, but it seemed
slow work, faults being more easily acquired than
cured; and for a long time I could perceive no dif-
ference in him. Indeed, as his next piece of mischief
concerned myself, I thought him worse than ever.