worth of toys, 6 little books for children beginning to read,
1 fashionable-dressed baby to cost 10 shillings, and a box of
gingerbread toys and sugar images, or comfits." Later he sent for "1
very good spinet," for Patsey, as Martha Parke Custis was called.

His niece, Hariot, who lived in the Washington home from 1785 to 1796,
was a great trial to him. "She has," he wrote, "no disposition to be
careful of her clothes, which she dabs about in every hole and corner,
and her best things always in use, so that she costs me enough."

One of the characteristics of a truly great man is his readiness to ask
pardon. Once when Nelly Custis, Mrs. Washington's granddaughter, was
severely reprimanded for walking alone by moonlight in the grounds of
Mount Vernon, Washington tried to intercede for the girl.

"Perhaps she was not alone; I would say no more," he said.

"Sir," said Nelly Custis, "you have brought me up to speak the truth,
and when I told grandmamma that I was alone, I hoped that you would
believe me."

"My child," said Washington, bowing in his courtly fashion, "I beg your
pardon."

_His Temper_

Stuart, the portrait painter, once said to General Lee that Washington
had a tremendous temper, but that he had it under wonderful control.
While dining with the Washingtons, General Lee repeated the first part
of Stuart's remark. Mrs. Washington flushed and said that Mr. Stuart
took a great deal upon himself. Then General Lee said that Mr. Stuart
had added that the President had his temper under wonderful control.
Washington seemed to be thinking for a moment, then he smiled and said,
"Mr. Stuart is right."

_His Smile_

The popular idea that Washington never laughed is well-nigh exploded.
Nelly Custis said, "I have sometimes made him laugh most heartily from
sympathy with my joyous and extravagant spirits."

When the news came from Dr. Franklin in France that help was promised
from that country, General Washington broke into a laugh, waved his
cocked hat, and said to his officers, "The day is ours!" Another story
is to the effect that while present at the baptism of a child of a Mr.
Wood, he was so surprised to hear the name given as George Washington
that he smiled. Senator Maclay tells of his smiling at a state dinner,
and even toying with his fork. Various sources testify that a smile lent
an unusual beauty to his face.

At one time, as Washington entered a shop in New York, a Scotch
nursemaid followed him,