would say, was our Lord's precept followed, of love thy neighbour as
thyself? did Louisa desire a rival? This couple, as I said, soon drew a
party round them, and after the measurement, which lasted some time and
led to a discussion of dress, most of the frocks and sashes coming in
for notice, one of the three school girls, mentioned at first, named
some new step in dancing, just introduced at her school the last dancing
day, and then such a practising and trying of this step commenced
amongst the young ladies as made a pretty sight to look on, the young
ladies being all nicely dressed, and for the nonce thinking more of
their occupation than of themselves.

In the meanwhile Reuben had been supplied with something that served the
purpose of a plaything by Mary Roscoe, and being seated in a corner of
the room away from harm or interference, the little fellow shortly
became so drowsy, that before long, notwithstanding the noise and
chattering about him, his head drooped on his bosom, and he was so sound
asleep that he was unconscious of his uncomfortable position. He had
slept full a quarter of an hour when he was discovered by one of the
elder girls, who proposed that they should lift him from his seat and
take him to a bed in an adjoining chamber, where he would be more
comfortable. And here I must again remark, for want of some one else to
do so, that of the twelve or fourteen girls there assembled, there was
not one present who would have been unkind to the little fellow
intentionally; but yet I am afraid, that with the exception of the
good-natured Mary Roscoe, there was hardly one who would have put
themselves out of the way on his account, or have given up a pleasure or
amusement of even five or ten minutes to comfort the boy, who ought in
truth never to have been amongst them, so little had he been accustomed
to the ways of other children, even of his own age.