There was an expression of countenance it was his habit to wear at such times which was really a matter of the finest art. It combined philosophic patience, genial leniency, and a sweet determination to make the very best of a thing, which was really beautiful to behold. It was at these times that a series of nursery romances, known as “The Hair-Curling Series,” was invented and related. They were notable chiefly for good, strong, dramatic coloring, and their point was the illustration of the useful moral that little boys with a great deal of beautiful curly hair are naturally rewarded—if they are always good when it is brushed—by delightful adventures, such as being played with by fairies and made friends with by interesting wild animals, whose ravenous propensities are softened to the most affectionate mildness by the sight of such high-mindedness in tender youth. There was one story, known as “The Good Wolf,” which lasted for months, and was a never-ending source of delight, as it rejoiced in features which could be varied to adapt themselves to any circumstance or change of taste in playthings. It was the laudable habit of the good wolf to give presents to little boys who were deserving, besides taking them delightful rides in a little sleigh, and one could vary the gifts and excursions to an unlimited extent. Another, known as “The Mournful Story of Benny,” was a fearful warning, but ended happily, and as it was not of a personal nature was not disapproved of, and was listened to with respectful and sympathizing interest, though “The Good Wolf” was preferred. A delightfully intelligent little expression and an occasional dear little gurgling laugh when the best points were made, convinced me that the point of view of the listener was an appreciation of the humor between the lines quite as clear, in a four-year-old way, as that of the relater of the incidents. He revelled in the good wolf and was concerned by the misfortunes of Benny, who had brought tragedy upon himself by being so lost to all sense of virtue as to cut off his curls, but he knew they were highly colored figures, and part of a subtile and delightful joke. But long before this he had learned to talk, and it was then that we were introduced to the treasures of his mind. What was the queer little charm which made every one like him so much, which made every one smile when he looked at them, which made every one listen when he spoke, which made arms quite involuntarily close around his small body when he came within reach? The person who made the closest study of his character devoted five or six years to it before she was quite sure what this charm consisted in. Then she decided that it was formed of a combination of fortunate characteristics which might have lost all their value of fascination but for their being illumined by the warmth and brightness of a purely kind little heart, full of friendliness to the whole world.