THE DOLL AND HER FRIENDS. 61

was no longer afraid of trusting him with his tools,
it was wonderful what a carpenter he turned out.
When Margaret could venture to leave drawing ma-
terials within his reach, he began to draw capitally.
Good-natured Margaret gave him lessons, and said
she would never wish for a better scholar. He found
it was twice the pleasure to walk or play with
Edward when he was thought an acquisition i-
stead of a burden; and far more agreeable to have
Rose and Willy anxious for his company than wish-
ing to get rid of him. But the advantages were
not confined to himself; the whole house shared in
them : for his perpetual small annoyances had made
everybody uncomfortable, whereas now, by attention
to what he used to look upon as trifles, he found he
had the power of contributing his part towards the
happiness of his fellow-creatures, which is no trifle.
On the last day of the holidays, the young people
were all assembled in the schoolroom till it was time
for Edward and Geoffrey to start. While Edward
was arranging various matters with Willy, I heard
Geoffrey whisper to Margaret that he hoped she had
forgiven him for spoiling that drawing of hers. She
seemed at first really not to know what he meant; but
when she recollected it, she answered with a smile,
“Oh, my dear Geoffrey, I had forgiven and forgotten
it long ago. Pray never think of it again yourself.”