THE DOLL AND HER FRIENDS. 65

the first opportunity of telling her father what had
passed ; and he said he was very glad indeed that
she had let him know.

From that day forward something more than
usual seemed in contemplation. Papa, Mama, and
Margaret were constantly consulting together, and
Edward, Rose, and Willy followed their example.
As for me, nobody had time to bestow a look or a
thought upon me; but I made myself happy by
looking at and thinking: of them.

One morning two doctors together paid Willy
a long visit. After they were gone, his papa and
mama came into his room.

“Well, my boy,” his father exclaimed in an
unusually cheerful tone, “ it is quite settled now;
Madeira is the place, and I hope you like the plan.”

“ Oh, papa,” said Willy, “is it really worth
while ?”

“ Of course it is worth while, a hundred times
over,” replied his father; “ and we will be off in
the first ship.”

“The doctors strongly advise it, and we have
all great hopes from it, my dear Willy,” said his
mother.

“Then so have I,” said Willy ; “ and, indeed, I
like it extremely, and I am very grateful to you.
The only thing I mind is, that you and my father

F