He declared it was quite a luxury to have a broken arm, as it was a source of so much amusement.

The old ladies brought him jellies and blanc-mange, and he was petted and caressed to such an unparalleled extent, as to cause his delighted mother to aver that she lived in great fear of his being spoiled beyond remedy.

At length he was permitted to come downstairs and sit by the window for a few hours each day.

Whilst thus amusing himself one morning, a handsome carriage stopped before their house, and from it descended a fat and benevolent-looking old lady, who knocked at the door and rattled the latch as if she had been in the daily habit of visiting there, and felt quite sure of a hearty welcome.

She was let in by Esther, and, on sitting down, asked if Mrs.Ellis was at home.
Whilst Esther was gone to summon her mother, the lady looked round the room, and espying Charlie, said, "Oh, there you are--I'm glad to see you; I hope you are improving." "Yes, ma'am," politely replied Charlie, wondering all the time who their visitor could be.
"You don't seem to remember me--you ought to do so; children seldom forget any one who makes them a pleasant promise." As she spoke, a glimmer of recollection shot across Charlie's mind, and he exclaimed, "You are the lady who came to visit the school." "Yes; and I promised you a book for your aptness, and," continued she, taking from her reticule a splendidly-bound copy of "Robinson Crusoe," "here it is." Mrs.Ellis, as soon as she was informed that a stranger lady was below, left Caddy to superintend alone the whitewashing of Charlie's sick-room, and having hastily donned another gown and a more tasty cap, descended to see who the visitor could be.
"You must excuse my not rising," said Mrs.Bird, for that was the lady's name; "it is rather a difficulty for me to get up and down often--so," continued she, with a smile, "you must excuse my seeming rudeness." Mrs.Ellis answered, that any apology was entirely unnecessary, and begged she would keep her seat.