[Transcriber's note: The source text contained no Chapter VIII orChapter XVIII. ]

[Illustration: SILVER LAKE]

MELBOURNE HOUSE. 

BY THEAUTHOR OF THE WIDE, WIDE WORLD. 

 "Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. "--PROV. Xx. II. 

VOL. II. 

 * * * * *

NEW YORK:ROBERT CARTER & BROTHERS, 530 BROADWAY. 1865. 

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1864, byROBERT CARTER AND BROTHERS, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for theSouthern District of New York. 

Stereotyped by SMITH & MCDOUGAL, 82 & 81 Beekman St. Printer: by E. O. JENKINS, 20 North William St. 

 * * * * *

MELBOURNE HOUSE. 

CHAPTER I. 

The next day turned out so warm, that the carriage was not brought forDaisy till late in the afternoon. Then it came, with her father and Dr. Sandford; and Daisy was lifted in Mr. Randolph's arms and carefullyplaced on the front seat of the carriage, which she had all to herself. Her father and the doctor got in and sat opposite to her; and thecarriage drove away. 

The parting with Juanita had been very tenderly affectionate and hadgone very near to Daisy's heart. Not choosing to shew this more than shecould help, as usual, Daisy at first lay still on the cushions with anexceedingly old-fashioned face; it was as demure and sedate as if thegravity of forty years had been over it. But presently the carriageturned the corner into the road to Melbourne; Daisy caught sight for asecond of the houses and church, spires of Crum Elbow, that she had notseen for so long. A pink flush rose over her face. 

"What is it, Daisy?" said Mr. Randolph, who had been watching her. 

"Papa--it's so nice to see things again!"

"You had a pretty dull time of it at Mrs. Benoit's?" remarked thedoctor. 

"No--O no, I didn't. I did not have it dull at all. "

"How did you escape that, Daisy?"

"I do not know, Dr. Sandford. There was no room for dulness. "

The gentlemen smiled, but Daisy's father with a not altogether satisfiedexpression. He grew satisfied, as he marked the changes in Daisy's face. The ride was delightful to her. The carriage was easy; she was nicelyplaced; and through the open glass before her she could look out quiteuninterruptedly. It was so pleasant, she thought, even to see the roadand the fences again. That little bit of view before Mrs. Benoit'swindow she had studied over and over till she knew it by heart. Nowevery step brought something new; and the roll of the carriage wheelswas itself enlivening. There was a reaped grain field; there a meadowwith cattle pasturing. Now they passed a farm wagon going home, ladenwith sheaves; next came a cottage, well known but not seen for a longtime, with its wonted half door open and the cottager's children playingabout. Then came patches of woodland, with the sun shining through; anda field of flourishing Indian corn with the sunlight all over it; thenmore meadows with cattle. 

"Do you ride comfortably, Daisy?" her father asked, bending over to her. 

"Yes, papa. It is so nice!"

Mr. Randolph gave up care about Daisy, and the two gentlemen fell into aconversation which did not regard her, and lasted till the carriagestopped at the door of Melbourne House. And there was her mother, andthere were Preston and his mother and sister, and Gary McFarlane, whohad been away and come back again, all waiting to welcome her; besidessome other guests who were now at Melbourne. 

Mr. Randolph, got out of the carriage first. Dr. Sandford followed him;but then without giving place to anybody else, he himself took Daisycarefully off the seat where she lay, lifted her out in his arms, andcarried her into the house. All the others trooped around and afterhim, through the hall and into the drawing room, where the doctor laidhis little charge on the sofa and put the pillows behind her so that shecould sit up comfortably. Then he stood back and let the others come toher. Mrs. Randolph gave her some very contented kisses; so did Mr. Randolph. Very glad and tender his were, at having his little daughterback there again. 

"We are very much pleased to see you here, Daisy, " her aunt said. 

"Poor Daisy, " said Eloïse. 

"Glad to come back to life and the world again, Daisy?" said Preston, standing at the back of her sofa and drumming on it. 

"I understand, Daisy, " said McFarlane, "that you have been an enchantedbeauty, or a sleeping princess, during these weeks of my absence--underthe guardianship of an old black witch, who drew incantations and watertogether from her well every morning. "

"I can answer for the incantations, " said Preston. "I have heard 'em. "

Daisy's face flushed all over. "Preston, you do very wrong, " she said, turning her head round to him. But Preston only burst into a fit oflaughter, which he turned away to hide. Others of the company now cameup to take Daisy's hand and kiss her and say how glad they were to seeher; these people were very much strangers to Daisy and their greetingwas no particular pleasure; but it had to be attended to. Then tea camein, and Daisy was well petted. It was very pleasant to have it so; afterthe silence and quiet of Juanita's little cottage, the lights anddresses and people and silver urn and tea service and flowers made quitea picture. Flowers had been in the cottage too, but not such wealth ofthem. Just opposite to Daisy in the middle of the floor stood a greatstone basket, or wide vase, on a pedestal; and this vase was a mass ofbeautiful flowers. Trailing wreaths of roses and fuchsias and geraniumseven floated down from the edges of the vase and sought the floor; thepedestal was half draped with them. It was a very lovely sight toDaisy's eyes. And then her mother ordered a little stand brought to thesofa's side; and her father placed it; and Gary brought her cup of tea, and Dr. Sandford spread her slice of toast. Daisy felt as if she lovedeverybody, and was very happy. The summer air floated in at the longwindows, just as it used to do. It was _home_. Daisy began to realizethe fact. 

Meanwhile attention ceased to be filled with her particular affairs, andconversation flowed off as usual, away from her. Preston still held hisstation at the back of the sofa, where he dipped sponge cake in tea witha wonderful persistency; in fact the question seemed to be whether he orthe cake basket would give out first; but for a while Daisy eat hertoast in happy quiet; watching everybody and enjoying everything. TillGary McFarlane drew near, and took a seat, as if for a regular siege. 

"So what about those incantations, Daisy?" he said. 

"I do not know what you mean, Mr. McFarlane. "

"No? don't you? That's odd. You have been so long in the witch'sprecincts. You have heard them, of course?"

"I do not know what you mean, Mr. McFarlane. "

"Why you must have been bewitched. I wonder, now, if the witch's housedid not seem to you a palace?"

"It seemed a very nice place. "

"And the witch herself a sable princess?"

"I think she is a great deal better than a princess. "

"Exactly so, " said Gary with a perfectly sober face. "The witch drewwater, didn't she?"

"I don't know what you mean. Mrs. Benoit used to bring pails of waterfrom her well. "

"Very good. And you never heard her incantations, muttering in themorning before the dew was off the grass, or at night just as the firstbeams of the moon, lighted on the topmost boughs of the trees?"

Daisy was confounded. "Mr. McFarlane, " she said after a moment's lookingat him--"I hope I do not know what you mean. "

At that, Gary McFarlane went off into an ecstacy of laughter, delightedand amused beyond count. Preston interrupted the sponge cake exercise, and Daisy felt her sofa shaking with his burden of amusement. What hadshe done? Glancing her eye towards Dr. Sandford, who sat near, she sawthat a very decided smile was curling the corners of _his_ mouth. Aflush came up all over Daisy's face; she took some tea, but it did nottaste good any longer. 

"What did you think I meant?--come Daisy, tell me, " said Gary, returningto Daisy as soon as he could get over his paroxysm of laughter. "Whatdid you think I meant? I shouldn't wonder if you had some privatewitchcraft of your own. Come! what did you _think_ I meant?"

While he had been laughing, Daisy had been trying to get command ofherself and to get her throat clear for talking; there had been a veryuncomfortable thick feeling in it at first. Now she answered with simpledignity and soberness, "I did not know, Mr. McFarlane, but you meant Juanita's prayers. "

"Does she pray?" said Gary innocently. 

"Yes. "

"Long prayers, Daisy?"

"Yes, " (unwillingly now. )

"Then that must have been what you heard!" Gary said looking up toPreston. No answer came from him. Gary was as sober now as seven judges. 

"Did she speak her prayers where you could hear her, Daisy?"

"I used to hear her--"

"Mornings and evenings?"

"Yes. "

"But you heard her in broad day, Preston?"

"Yes; one afternoon it was. I heard her as soon as I got near the house. Daisy was asleep, and I went away as wise as I came. "

"This grows interesting, " said Gary returning to Daisy. "Could you hearthe words that were said?"

"No. "

"Only a muttering?"

Daisy was silent. The tears came into her eyes. 

"Depend upon it, Daisy, it was incantations you heard. Descriptionagrees exactly. Confess now, didn't a sort of feeling grow overyou--creep over you--whenever you heard that muttering sound, as if youwould do anything that black woman told you?"

Daisy was silent. 

"Don't you know it is not proper to pray so that people can hear you?'tisn't the way to do. Witches pray that way--not good Christian people. I regard it as a very fortunate thing, Daisy, that we have got you safeout of her hands. Don't you think that prayer ought to be private?"

"Yes, " said Daisy. She was overwhelmed with the rapidity and livelinessof Gary's utterances, which he rattled forth as lightly as if they hadbeen the multiplication table. 

"Yes, just so. It is not even a matter to be talked about--toosacred--so I am offending even against my own laws; but I wanted to knowhow far the old witch had got hold of you. Didn't you feel when youheard her mutterings, as if some sort of a spell was creeping over you?"

Daisy wished some sort of a spell could come over _him_; but she did notknow what to say. 

"Didn't you gradually grow into the belief that she was a sort of saint, Daisy?"

"What is a saint, Mr. McFarlane?"

Gary at that wheeled partly round, and stroked his chin and moustachewith the most comical expression of doubt and confusion. 

"I declare I don't know, Daisy! I think it means a person who is toogood for this world, and therefore isn't allowed to live here. They allgo off in flames of some sort--may look like glory, but is veryuncomfortable--and there is a peculiar odour about them. Doctor, what isthat odour called?"

Gary spoke with absurd soberness, but the doctor gave him no attention. 

"The odour of sanctity!--that is it!" said Gary. "I had forgot. I don'tknow what it is like, myself; but it must be very disagreeable to havesuch a peculiarity attached to one. "

"How can anybody be too good for this world?" Daisy ventured. 

"Too good to live in it! You can't live among people unless you livelike them--so the saints all leave the rest of the world in some way orother; the children die, and the grown ones go missionaries or becomenuns--they are a sort of human meteor--shine and disappear, but don'treally accomplish much, because no one wants to be meteors. So your oldwoman can't be a saint, Daisy, or she would have quitted the world longago. "

Something called off Gary. Daisy was left feeling very thoroughlydisturbed. That people could talk so--and think so--about what was soprecious to her; talk about being saints, as if it were an undesirablething; and as if such were unlovely. Her thought went back to Juanita, who seemed now half a world's distance away instead of a few miles; herlove and gentleness and truth and wisdom, her prayers and way of living, did seem to Daisy somewhat unearthly in their beauty, compared with thatwhich surrounded her now; but so unearthly, that it could not beunderstood and must not be talked about. Juanita could not be understoodhere; could Daisy? She felt hurt and troubled and sorry; she did notlike to hear such talk, but Gary was about as easy to stop as acataract. 

Dr. Sandford, lifting his eyes from what had occupied them, though hisears had not been stopped, saw that the face of his little charge wasflushed with pain and her eyes glistening. He came and took Gary'splace, and silently felt of her hand and looked at her; but he did notask Daisy what was the matter, because he pretty well knew. His ownface, as usual, shewed nothing; however, Daisy's came back to itsaccustomed expression. 

"Dr. Sandford, " said she softly, "what is a meteor?"

"Meteors are fiery stones which fall on the earth occasionally. "

"Where do they come from?"

"Doctors are divided. "

"But where do _you_ think they come from?"

If Dr. Sandford's vanity could be touched by a child, it received atouch then. It was so plain, that what satisfied him would satisfy her. He would not give the skeptical answer which rose to his lips. Lookingat the pure, wise little face which watched his, he made answer simply, not without a smile:

"I am inclined to think they are wandering bodies, that we fall in withnow and then, in our journey round the sun. "

"Dr. Sandford, what do they look like?"

"You have seen shooting-stars?"

"Yes--are those meteors?"

"Those are meteors that do not come to the earth. Sometimes they arenearer, and look like great fire-balls. "

"Have you seen them?"

"Yes, a great many. "

"And have you seen them after they fell on the ground?"

"Yes. "

"What are they like then?"

"A very black stone, on the outside, and made up of various metals andearths within. "

"But then, what makes them look like fire-balls, before they fall?"

"Can't tell, Daisy. As I said, the doctors are divided; and I reallyhave no opinion that you would understand if I gave it. "

Daisy would have liked to hear all the opinions, but she did not ask forthem. Preston was still standing at the back of the sofa, and started anew subject. 

"Dr. Sandford, how soon will Daisy's foot let her go to Silver Lake?"

"In what way do you propose to get there?"

"By boat, sir, across the river; and the rest of the way is walking. "

"On plain ground?"

"Not exactly!" said Preston. 

"How far do you call it?"

"Three miles. "

"Of walking! I think Daisy may walk across this floor by next week; andin a little while after she may go up and down stairs. "

"O doctor!" exclaimed Preston. "Why, at that rate, she cannot go toSilver Lake at all!"

"Does she want to go very much?" said the doctor. The question wasreally put at Daisy's face, and answered by a little flush that was nota flush of pain this time. He saw what a depth of meaning there was init; what a charm, the sound of Silver Lake had for Daisy. No wonder, toa little girl who had lain for so many weeks looking out of one window, where there was not much to be seen, either. 

"Who is going, Daisy?" said the doctor. 

"Mamma means to make up a large party--I do not know exactly who. "

"Then I think I can promise that you shall go too. You may count upon mefor that. "

Daisy's eyes shone and sparkled, but she said not a word. Preston wasless sagacious. 

"Will you do something to make her foot strong, sir?" he asked. 

"When you have studied in my profession, you will know more about aphysician's powers, "--was all the answer he got. The doctor turned offto conversation with other people, and Daisy was left to herself again. She was very happy; it was very pleasant to lie there comfortably on thesofa, and feel that her long imprisonment was over; it was amusing tolook at so many people together, after having for days and days lookedat only one; and the old wonted scene, the place and the lights, and theflowers and the dresses, yes, and the voices, gave her the new sense ofbeing at home. Nevertheless, Daisy mused a little over some things thatwere not altogether pleasant. The faces that she scanned had none ofthem the placid nobleness of the face of her black nurse; no voicewithin her hearing had such sweet modulation; and Daisy felt aconsciousness that Juanita's little cottage lay within the bounds of akingdom which Mrs. Randolph's drawing-room had no knowledge of. Gradually Daisy's head became full of that thought; along with theaccompanying consciousness, that a subject of that kingdom would bealone here and find nobody to help her. 

"Daisy, what's the matter?" whispered Preston. "You are as sober as ajudge. "

"Am I?" said Daisy. 

"What's to pay?"

"Nothing. I feel very nicely. "

"Why don't you look like other people, then?"

"I suppose, " said Daisy slowly, "I do not feel like other people. "

"I wish you'd make haste about it, then, " said Preston. 

"Do be my own dear little old Daisy! Don't be grave and wise. "

"Are you going to spend the night here, Daisy?" said Dr. Sandford, coming up to the sofa. 

"No, sir, " said Daisy, smiling. 

"Where then?"

"I suppose, in my room, sir--up-stairs. "

"I must see you there before I go; and it is time now. Shall I carry youup?"

"If you please, sir. "

"Pray do not, Dr. Sandford!" said Mrs. Randolph. "Mr. Randolph will doit, or one of the servants. There is no occasion for you to troubleyourself. "

"Thank you, ma'am, but I like to see after my patients myself. UnlessDaisy prefers other hands. "

Mrs. Randolph protested. The doctor stood quiet and looked at Daisy, waiting for her to say what she would like. Now Daisy knew, that of allhands which had touched her, the doctor's and Juanita's were far thebest; and of those two, the doctor's; perhaps because he was thestrongest. Her father was very kind and tender, but he did notunderstand the business. 

"I should like Dr. Sandford to take me, " she said, when she found shemust speak. 

"Then I will trouble you, Mrs. Randolph, for somebody to shew me theway. " And the doctor stooped and put his strong arms under Daisy, andlifted her up. 

"Quite a conquest, I declare, you have made, Dr. Sandford!" said Mrs. Randolph, laughing. "Preston, shew the way, and I'll send June. "

So the doctor marched off with Daisy, Preston going before to shew theway. He carried her without the least jar or awkwardness, through thecompany, out into the hall, and up the stairs. There June met him, andtook Preston's office from him. Into Daisy's own room at last theycame, and Dr. Sandford laid his little charge at once on her bed. 

"You must not try to move, Daisy, until I see you again. Stay here tillthen. "

"Yes, sir. "

"Good-night. "

"Good-night. Thank you, sir, for bringing me up. "

Dr. Sandford smiled. "Thank you, " said he, and with a wave of his hand, away he went. 

"O June!" said Daisy, "how glad I am to see you. "

June had seen Daisy only once during her abode at Mrs. Benoit's cottage;and now Daisy squeezed her hands and welcomed the sight of her withgreat affection; and June on her part, though not given todemonstrations, smiled till her wrinkles took all sorts of queer shapes, and even shewed her deep black eyes twinkling with something likemoisture. They certainly were; and putting the smiles and the tearstogether, Daisy felt sure that June was as glad to see her as she was tosee June. In truth, Daisy was a sort of household deity to June, and shewelcomed her back accordingly, in her secret heart; but her words onthat subject, as on all others, were few. The business of undressing, however, went on with great tenderness. When it was finished, Daisymissed Juanita. For then Juanita had been accustomed to bring her Bible, and read and pray; and that had been a time Daisy always enjoyedwonderfully. Now, in bed, at night, she could not see to read forherself. She dismissed June, and was left alone in her old room, with, as she justly thought, a great deal to pray for. And praying, littleDaisy went to sleep. 

CHAPTER II. 

The next day Daisy felt very much at home. Her orders were not to stirtill the doctor came. So after breakfast and after receiving visits fromeverybody in the house, she was left to her own devices, for it happenedthat everybody had something on hand that morning and nobody staid withher. 

Left with June, Daisy lay for awhile feasting her eyes on all thepleasant wonted objects around her. She was a particular little body, and very fond of her room and its furniture and arrangements. Then camea hankering for the sight of some of her concealed treasures from whichshe had been separated so long. 

"June, I wish you would open the drawer of my bureau, the second drawerfrom the top, and put your hand back at the left side and give me a bookthat lies there. "

June got the key and rummaged. "Don't feel nothing, Miss Daisy. "

"Quite back, June, under everything--"

"Why, Miss Daisy, it's tucked away as though you didn't mean nobodyshould never find it!"

Precisely what Daisy did mean. But there it was, safe enough--Mr. Dinwiddie's Bible. Daisy's hands and eyes welcomed it. She asked fornothing more in a good while after that; and June curiously watched her, with immense reverence. The thin pale little face, a little turned fromthe light, so that she could see better; the intent eyes; the wiselittle mouth, where childish innocence and oldish prudence made a queermeeting; the slim little fingers that held the book; above all, thesweet calm of the face. June would not gaze, but she looked and looked, as she could, by glances; and nearly worshipped her little mistress inher heart. She thought it almost ominous and awful to see a child readthe Bible so. For Daisy looked at it with loving eyes, as at words thatwere a pleasure to her. It was no duty-work, that reading. At last Daisyshut the book, to June's relief. 

"June, I want to see my old things. I would like to have them here onthe bed. "

"What things, Miss Daisy?"

"I would like my bird of paradise first. You can put a big book here forit to stand on, where it will be steady. "

The bird of paradise June brought, and placed as ordered. It was a birdof spun glass only, but a great beauty in Daisy's eyes. Its tail was ofsuch fine threads of glass that it waved with the least breath. 

"How pretty it is! You may take it away, June, for I am afraid it willget broken; and now bring me my Chinese puzzle, and set my cathedralhere. You can bring it here without hurting it, can't you?"

"Where is your puzzle, Miss Daisy?"

"It is in the upper drawer of my cabinet, " (so Daisy called a smallchest of drawers which held her varieties) "and the cathedral stands onthe top, under the glass shade. Be very careful, June. "

June accomplished both parts of her business. The "cathedral" was abeautiful model of a famous one, made in ivory. It was rather more thana foot long, and high, of course, in proportion. Every window anddoorway and pillar and arcade was there, in its exact place and size, according to the scale of the model; and a beautiful thing it was tolook upon for any eyes that loved beauty. Daisy's eyes loved it well, and now for a long time she lay back on her pillow watching and studyingthe lights among those arcades, which the rich colour of the ivory, grown yellow with time, made so very pleasant to see. Daisy studied andthought. The Chinese puzzle got no attention. At last she cried, "June, I should like to have my Egyptian spoon. "

[Illustration]

"What is that, Miss Daisy?"

"My Egyptian spoon--it is a long, carved, wooden thing, with somethinglike a spoon at one end; it is quite brown. Look for it in the nextdrawer, June, you will find it there. It don't look like a spoon. "

"There is nothing like it in this drawer, Miss Daisy. "

"Yes, it is. It is wrapped up in paper. "

"Nothing here wrapped in paper, " said June, rummaging. 

"Aren't my chessmen there? and my Indian canoe? and my moccasins?--"

"Yes, Miss Daisy, all them's here. "

"Well, the spoon is there too, then; it was with the canoe and themoccasins. "

"It ain't here, Miss Daisy. "

"Then look in all the other drawers, June. "

June did so; no spoon. Daisy half raised herself up for a frightenedlook towards her "cabinet. "

"Has anybody done anything to my drawers while I have been away?"

"No, Miss Daisy, not as I know of. "

"June, please look in them all--every one. "

"'Taint here, Miss Daisy. "

Daisy lay down again and lay thinking. 

"June, is mamma in her room?"

"Yes, Miss Daisy. "

"Ask her--tell her I want to speak to her very much. "

Mrs. Randolph came. 

"Mamma, " said Daisy, "do you know anything about my Egyptian spoon?"

"Do you want it, Daisy?"

"O yes, mamma! I do. June cannot find it. Do you know where it is?"

"Yes--it is not a thing for a child like you, Daisy, and I let your auntGary have it. She wanted it for her collection. I will get you anythingelse you like in place of it. "

"But mamma, I told aunt Gary she could not have it. She asked me, and Itold her she could not have it. "

"I have told her she might, Daisy. Something else will give you morepleasure. You are not an ungenerous child. "

"But, mamma! it was _mine_. It belonged to me. "

"Hush, Daisy; that is not a proper way to speak to me. I allow you to dowhat you like with your things in general; this was much fitter for youraunt Gary than for you. It was something beyond your appreciation. Donot oblige me to remind you that your things are mine. "

Mrs. Randolph spoke as if half displeased already, and left the room. Daisy lay with a great flush upon her face, and in a state ofperturbation. 

Her spoon was gone; that was beyond question, and Daisy's little spiritwas in tumultuous disturbance--very uncommon indeed with her. Grief, andthe sense of wrong, and the feeling of anger strove together. Did shenot appreciate her old spoon? when every leaf of the lotus carving andevery marking of the duck's bill had been noted and studied over andover, with a wondering regard to the dark hands that so many, many yearsand ages ago had fashioned it. Would Mrs. Gary love it as well? Daisydid not believe any such thing. And then it was the gift of Nora and Mr. Dinwiddie, and precious by association; and it was _gone_. Daisy laystill on her pillow, with a slow tear now and then gathering in hereyes, but also with an ominous line on her brow. There was a great senseof injustice at work--the feeling that she had been robbed; and that shewas powerless to right herself. Her mother had done it; in her secretthought Daisy knew that, and that she would not have done it to Ransom. Yet in the deep fixed habit of obedience and awe of her mother, Daisysheered off from directly blaming her as much as possible, and let theburden of her displeasure fall on Mrs. Gary. She was bitterly hurt ather mother's action, however; doubly hurt, at the loss and at the mannerof it; and the slow tears kept coming and rolling down to wet herpillow. For a while Daisy pondered the means of getting her treasureback; by a word to her father, or a representation to Preston, or byboldly demanding the spoon of Mrs. Gary herself. Daisy felt as if shemust have it back somehow. But any of these ways, even if successful, would make trouble; a great deal of trouble; and it would be, Daisy hadan inward consciousness all the time, unworthy of a Christian child. But she felt angry with Mrs. Gary, and as if she could never forgiveher. Daisy, though not passionate, was persistent in her character; hergentleness covered a not exactly yielding disposition. 

In the midst of all this, Dr. Sandford came in, fresh from his morning'sdrive, and sat down by the bedside. 

"Do you want to go down stairs, Daisy?"

"No, sir; I think not. "

"Not? What's the matter? Are you of a misanthropical turn of mind?"

"I do not know. Dr. Sandford; I do not know what that is. "

"Well, now you have got back to human society and fellowship, don't youwant to enjoy it?"

"I should not enjoy it to-day. "

"If I do not see you down stairs, you will have to stay up till anotherday. "

"Yes, sir. "

"What is the matter, Daisy?" And now the doctor bent over and lookedhard in her face. The wet spot in her pillow no doubt he had seen longago. Daisy's eyes drooped. 

"Look up here, and give me an answer. "

"I can't very well tell you, sir. "

"Why do you not want to go down stairs?"

"Because, Dr. Sandford, I am not good. "

"Not good!" said he. "I thought you always were good. "

Daisy's eye reddened and her lip twitched. He saw that there was someuncommon disturbance on hand; and there was the wet spot on the pillow. 

"Something has troubled you, " he said; and with that he laid hishand--it was a fresh, cool hand, pleasant to feel--upon Daisy'sforehead, and kept it there; sometimes looking at her, and as oftenlooking somewhere else. It was very agreeable to Daisy; she did not stirher head from under the hand; and gradually she quieted down, and hernerves, which were all ruffled, like a bird's feathers, grew smooth. There were no lines in her forehead when Dr. Sandford took away his handagain. 

"Now tell me, " said he smiling, "what was the matter? Shall I take youdown to the library now?"

"O no, sir, if you please. Please do not, Dr. Sandford! I am not ready, I am not fit. "

"Not fit?" said the doctor, eyeing her, and very much at a loss what tomake of this. "Do you mean that you want to be more finely attiredbefore you make your appearance in company?"

"No, sir, " said Daisy. It struck her with a great sorrow, his sayingthis. She knew her outward attire was faultless; bright and nice as newsilver was every bit of Daisy's dress, from her smooth hair to her neatlittle slippers; it was all white and clean. But the inward adorningwhich God looked at--in what a state was that? Daisy felt a double pang;that Dr. Sandford should so far mistake her as to think her full ofsilly vanity, and on the other hand, that he should so much, too welljudge of her as to think her always good. The witnessing tinge cameabout Daisy's eyelids again. 

"Dr. Sandford, if people tell you their private affairs, of course it isconfidential?"

"Of course, " said the doctor, without moving a muscle. 

"Then I will tell you what I meant. I am not good. I am dressed wellenough; but I have anger in my heart. "

Dr. Sandford did not say how much he was surprised; for Daisy looked asmeek as a lamb. But he was a philosopher, and interested. 

"Then I am sure you have had reason, Daisy. "

"I think I had, " said Daisy, but without looking less sorrowful. 

"Do you not consider that one has a right to be angry when one has areason?"

"But one shouldn't stay angry, " said the child, folding her hands overher heart. 

"How are you going to help it, Daisy?"

"There is a way, Dr. Sandford. "

"Is there? But you see I am in the dark now. I am as much abroad aboutthat, as you were about a journey of three hundred years to the sun. When I am angry I never find that I can help it. I can maybe help usingmy horsewhip; but I cannot manage the anger. "

"No--" said Daisy, looking up at him, and thinking how terrible it mustbe to have to encounter anger from his blue eye. 

"What then, Daisy? how do you make out your position?"

Daisy did not very well like to say. She had a certain consciousness--orfear--that it would not be understood, and she would be laughed at--notopenly, for Dr. Sandford was never impolite; but yet she shrunk from thecold glance of unbelief, or of derision, however well and kindly masked. She was silent. 

"Haven't we got into a confidential position yet?" said the doctor. 

"Yes, sir, but--"

"Speak on. "

"Jesus will help us, Dr. Sandford, if we ask him. " And tears, that weretears of deep penitence now, rushed to Daisy's eyes. 

"I do not believe, Daisy, to begin with, that you know what angermeans. "

"I have been angry this morning, " said Daisy sadly. "I am angry now, Ithink. "

"How do you feel when you are angry?"

"I feel wrong. I do not want to see the person--I feel she would bedisagreeable to me, and if I spoke to her I should want to say somethingdisagreeable. "

"Very natural, " said the doctor. 

"But it is wrong. "

"If you can help it, Daisy. I always feel disagreeable when I am angry. I feel a little disagreeable now that you are angry. "

Daisy could not help smiling at that. 

"Now suppose we go down stairs. "

"O no, sir. O no, Dr. Sandford, please! I am not ready--I would rathernot go down stairs to-day. Please don't take me!"

"To-morrow you must, Daisy. I shall not give you any longer than tillthen. "

Away went Dr. Sandford to the library; kept Daisy's counsel, and toldMrs. Randolph she was to remain in her room to-day. 

"She thinks too much, " he said. "There is too much self-introversion. "

"I know it! but what can we do?" said Mr. Randolph. "She has been keptfrom books as much as possible. "

"Amusement and the society of children. "

"Ay, but she likes older society better. "

"Good morning, " said the doctor. 

"Stay! Dr. Sandford, I have great confidence in you. I wish you wouldtake in hand not Daisy's foot merely but the general management of her, and give us your advice. She has not gained, on the whole, this summer, and is very delicate. "

"Rather--" said the doctor. And away he went. 

CHAPTER III. 

Meanwhile Daisy turned away from her beautiful little ivory cathedral, and opened Mr. Dinwiddie's Bible. Her heart was not at all comfortedyet; and indeed her talk with Dr. Sandford had rather roused her tokeener discomfort. She had confessed herself wrong, and had told him theway to get right; yet she herself, in spite of knowing the way, was notright, but very far from it. So she felt. Her heart was very sore forthe hurt she had suffered; it gave her a twinge every time she thoughtof the lotus carving of her spoon handle, and those odd representationsof fish in the bowl of it. She lay over on her pillow, slowly turningand turning the pages of her Bible, and tear after tear slowly gatheringone after another, and filling her eyes and rolling down to her pillowto make another wet spot. There was no harm in that, if that had beenall. Daisy had reason. But what troubled her was, that she was sostrongly displeased with her aunt Gary. She did not want to see her orhear her, and the thought of a kiss from her was unendurable. Nay, Daisyfelt as if she would like to punish her, if she could; or at least torepossess herself of her stolen property by fair means or by foul. Shewas almost inclined to think that she must have it at all events. And atthe same time, she had told Dr. Sandford that she was not right. SoDaisy lay slowly turning the pages of her Bible, looking for some wordthat might catch her eye and be a help to her. There were a good manymarks in the Bible, scattered here and there, made by its former owner. One of these stopped Daisy's search, and gave her something to think of. It stood opposite these words:

"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthyof the vocation wherewith ye are called. "

Daisy considered that. What "vocation" meant, she did not know, nor whowas "the prisoner of the Lord, " nor what that could mean; but yet shecaught at something of the sense. "Walk worthy, " she understood that;and guessed what "vocation" stood for. Ay! that was just it, and thatwas just what Daisy was not doing. The next words, too, were plainenough. 

"With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing oneanother in love. "

"Forbearing one another"--easy to read, how hard to do! Mrs. Gary'simage was very ugly yet to Daisy. Could she speak pleasantly to heraunt? could she even look pleasantly at her? could she "forbear" allunkindness, even in thought? Not yet! Daisy felt very miserable and verymuch ashamed of herself, even while her anger was in abiding strengthand vigour. 

She went on, reading through the whole chapter; not because she had notenough already to think about, but because she did not feel that shecould obey it. Some of the chapter she did not quite understand; but shewent on reading, all the same, till she came to the last verse. Thatwent through and through Daisy's heart, and her eyes filled so full thatby the time she got to the end of it she could not see to read at all. These were the words:

"And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. "

That quite broke Daisy's heart. She rolled herself over upon her openBible, so as to hide her face in her pillow, and there Daisy had a goodcry. _She_ standing out about a little thing, when Jesus was willing toforgive such loads and loads of naughtiness in her! Daisy would have nofriendship with her resentment any more. She turned her back upon it, and fled from it, and sought eagerly that help by which, as she had toldDr. Sandford, it might be overcome. And she had said right. He who iscalled Jesus because be saves his people from their sins, will not leaveanybody under their power who heartily trusts in him for deliverancefrom them. 

Daisy received several visits that day, but they were all flying visits;everybody was busy. However they put to the proof the state of herfeeling towards several persons. The next day the first person she sawwas the doctor. 

"How do you do, Daisy? Ready to go down stairs to-day?"

"Yes, sir. "

"Have you got the better of your anger?"

"Yes, sir. "

"Pray, at what hour did your indignation take flight?" said the doctor, looking at the gentle little face before him. 

"I think--about three hours after you were here yesterday, " said Daisysoberly. The doctor looked at her, and his gravity gave way, so far atleast as to let the corners of his lips curl away from some very whiteteeth. Dr. Sandford rarely laughed. And there was nothing mocking abouthis smile now, though I have used the word "curl;" it was merely whatDaisy considered a very intelligent and very benign curve of the mouth. Indeed she liked it very much. 

"Have you seen the offending party since that time, Daisy?"

"Yes, sir. "

"And did you feel no return of displeasure?"

"No, sir. "

There was something so exceedingly sweet in Daisy's expression of face, so unruffled in its loving calm and assurance, that Dr Sandfordreceived quite a new impression in his views of human character. 

"I shall have an account to settle with that young Preston one of thesedays, " he remarked as he took Daisy's little form in his arms. 

"O he did nothing!" said Daisy. "It wasn't Preston at all. He hadnothing to do with it!"

"He had not?" said the doctor. 

"Not at all; nor any other boy. "

"Beyond my management, then!" said the doctor; and he moved off. He hadstood still to say that word or two; Daisy's arm was round his neck tohelp support herself; the two looked into each other's faces. Certainlythat had come to pass which at one time she had thought unlikely; Daisywas very fond of the doctor. 

He carried her now down to the library, and laid her on a sofa. Nobodyat all was there. The long windows were standing open; the morning sweetair blew gently in; the books, and chairs, and tables which made theroom pretty to Daisy's eyes, looked very pleasant after the long weeksin which she had not seen them. But along with her joy at seeing themagain was mixed a vivid recollection of the terrible scene she had gonethrough there, a few days before her accident. However, nothing couldmake Daisy anything but happy just now. 

"You must remain here until I come again, " said the doctor; "and now Iwill send some of the rest of the family to you. "

The first one that came was her father. He sat down by the sofa, and wasso tenderly glad to have her there again, that Daisy's little heartleaped for joy. She put her hand in his, and lay looking into his face. 

"Papa, it is nice, " she said. 

"What?"

"O to be here, and with you again. "

Mr. Randolph put his lips down to Daisy's, and kissed them a good manytimes. 

"Do you know we are going to Silver Lake with you as soon as you arestrong enough?"

"O yes, papa! Dr. Sandford says he can manage it. But I don't knowwhen. "

"In a week or two more. "

"Papa, who is going?"

"Everybody, I suppose. "

"But I mean, is anybody to be invited?"

"I think we must ask Dr. Sandford. "

"O yes, papa! I wish he would go. But is anybody else to be asked?"

"I do not know, Daisy. Whom would you like to have invited?"

"Papa, I would like _very_ much to have Nora Dinwiddie. She has comeback. "

"Well, tell your mother so. "

Daisy was silent a little; then she began on a new theme. 

"Papa, what is a 'vocation'?"

"What is _what_, Daisy?"

"Vocation, papa. "

"Where did you get that word?"

"I found it in a book. "

"It means commonly a person's business or employment. "

"Only that, papa?"

"There is another sense in which it is used, but you would hardlyunderstand it. "

"Please tell me, papa. "

"Why?"

"Papa, I like to know the meanings of things. Please tell me. "

"Daisy, it means a 'calling'--in the idea that some persons areparticularly appointed to a certain place or work in the world. "

Daisy looked a little hard at him, and then said, "Thank you, papa. "

"Daisy, I hope you do not think _you_ have a 'vocation, '" said Mr. Randolph, half smiling. 

"Papa, " said the child, "I cannot help it. "

"No, perhaps not, " said Mr. Randolph, stooping again to Daisy's lips. "When you are older and wiser you will know better. At present yourvocation is to be a good little daughter. Now what are you going to doto-day? Here is Preston--if you want him; or I will do for you what youplease. "

"Yes, Daisy, what shall we do?" said Preston. 

"O, are you at leisure?"

"All your own, Daisy, for this morning at any rate. What shall we do?"

"O Preston, would you mind getting my tray for me; and let us go on withthe battle of Hastings?"

"With what?" said Mr. Randolph, laughing. 

"The battle of Hastings, papa--English history, you know. CaptainDrummond and I got just there and then we stopped. But Harold waskilled--wasn't he, papa?"

"I believe he was, Daisy. "

"Good for him, too, " said Preston. "He was nothing but a usurper. William the Conqueror was a great deal more of a man. "

"But he was just as much of a usurper, wasn't he?" said Daisy. 

"You must mind your ethics, Preston, " Mr. Randolph said, laughing. "Daisy is on the Saxon side. "

"Preston, will you get the tray, please? June will give it to you. "

Preston did not quite understand the philosophy of the tray; however, Daisy must be humoured. It was brought. By Daisy's order it had beencarefully protected from dust and danger; and the lineaments of England, as traced by the captain some time ago, were fresh and in good order. Daisy hung over the map with great interest, renewing her acquaintancewith various localities, and gradually getting Preston warmed up to theplay. It was quite exciting; for with every movement of William'svictorious footsteps, the course of his progress had to be carefullystudied out on a printed map, and then the towns and villages whichmarked his way noted on the clay map, and their places betokened bywooden pins. Daisy suggested that these pins should have sealing-waxheads of different colours to distinguish the cities, the villages, andthe forts from each other. Making these, interrupted doubtless the marchof the Conqueror and of history, but in the end much increased Daisy'ssatisfaction, and if the truth be told, Preston's too. 

"There, --now you can see at a glance where the castles are; don't theirred heads look pretty! And, O Preston! we ought to have some way ofmarking the battle-fields; don't you think so?"

"The map of England will be nothing but marks then, by and by, " saidPreston. 

"Will it? But it would be very curious. Preston, just give me a littlepiece of that pink blotting paper from the library table; it is in theportfolio there. Now I can put a little square bit of this on everybattle-field, and pressing it a little, it will stick, I think. There!--there is Hastings. Do you see, Preston? That will do nicely. "

"England will be all pink blotting paper by and by, " said Preston. 

"Then it will be very curious, " said Daisy. "Were new kings _always_coming to push out the old ones?"

"Not like William the Conqueror. But yet it was something very likethat, Daisy. When a king died, two of his children would both want theplace; so they would fight. "

"But two men fighting would not make a battle-field. "

"O Daisy, Daisy!" cried Preston; "do you know no better than that?"

"Well, but who else would fight with them?"

"Why, all the kingdom! Part would fight for the right, you know, as theSaxons did with Harold; and part would fight to be the best fellows andto get the fat places. "

"Fat places?" said Daisy. At which Preston went off into one of hislaughs. Daisy looked on. How could she be expected to understand him?

"What is the matter, my dear? What are you doing?" Daisy started. 

"We are studying English, history, aunt Gary. "

"_History_, my dear? And what is all this muss, and these red and blackspots? does your mamma allow this in the library?"

"Just the place to study history, I am sure, mamma, " said Preston; "andyou cannot have less muss than this where people are fighting. But Ireally don't know what you mean, ma'am; there cannot be a cleaner map, except for the blood shed on it. "

"Blood?" said Mrs. Gary. "My dear"--as Preston burst into anotherlaugh--"you must not let him tease you. "

Daisy's look was so very unruffled and gentle that perhaps it put Mrs. Gary in mind of another subject. 

"Did you know, Daisy, that I had robbed you of your old-fashionedspoon?"

"I found it was not among my things, " said Daisy. 

"My dear, your mother thought you would not value it; and it was verydesirable to my collection. I took it with her consent. "

"I am willing you should have it, aunt Gary. "

"Were you very angry, my dear, when you found where it had gone?"

"I am not angry now, aunt Gary. "

Certainly Daisy was not; yet something in the child's look or mannermade the lady willing to drop the subject. Its very calm gentleness didnot testify to anything like unconcern about the matter; and if therehad been concern, Mrs. Gary was not desirous to awaken it again. Shekissed Daisy, said she was a good girl, and walked off. Daisy wonderedif her aunt had a fancy for trilobites. 

"What was all that about, Daisy?" Preston asked. 

"O never mind--let us go on with William the Conqueror. "

"What spoon of yours has she got?"

"My Egyptian spoon. "

"That old carved thing with the duck's bill?"

"Yes. Now, Preston, what comes next?"

"Didn't you say she could not have it?"

"No matter what I said, if I say that she can have it now. "

"Did you give it to her?"

"Preston, that has nothing to do with William the Conqueror. Please letus go on. "

"Daisy, I want to know. Did you give it to her?"

"I am willing she should have it. Now, Preston, go on?"

"But I say, did you give my mother that spoon?"

"Preston, " said Daisy, "do you think it is quite proper to question mein that manner about what you see I do not wish to have you know?"

Preston laughed, though he looked vexed, and kissed her, nobody being inthe library; he was too big a boy to have done it if anybody had beenlooking on. And after that he played the historico-geographical playwith her for a very long time; finding it, with Daisy's eagerness andfreshness, a very good play indeed. Only he would persist in callingevery cause of war, every disputed succession, every rivalry ofcandidates, an _Egyptian spoon_. Daisy could not prevent him. She had avery happy morning; and Dr. Sandford was well satisfied with her brightface when he came, towards night, and carried, her up stairs again. 

But Daisy was getting well now. It was only a few days more, and Dr. Sandford permitted her to walk a little way herself on her own feet. Alittle way at first, across the floor and back; no more that day; butfrom that time Daisy felt whole again. Soon she could walk to pleaseherself, up and down stairs and everywhere; though she was not allowedto go far enough to tire her foot while it was yet unused to exercise. 

Now all her home ways fell again into their accustomed order. Daisycould get up and be dressed; nobody knows what a luxury that is unlesshe has been hindered of it for a good while. She could stand at herwindow and look out; and go down on her own feet to join the family atbreakfast. Her father procured her a seat next himself now, which Daisydid not use to have; and she enjoyed it. She knew he enjoyed it too; andit made breakfast a very happy time to Daisy. After breakfast she was ather own disposal, as of old. Nobody wished her to do anything but pleaseherself. 

At this moment nothing pleased Daisy better than to go on with Englishhistory. With Preston, if she could get him; if not, alone, with herbook and her tray map. Poring over it, Daisy would lie on the sofa, orsit on a little bench with the tray on the floor; planting her towns andcastles, or going hack to those already planted with a fresh interestfrom new associations. Certain red-headed and certain black-headed andcertain green-headed pins came to be very well known and familiar in thecourse of time. And in course of time, too, the soil of England came tobe very much overspread with little squares of pink blotting-paper. ToDaisy it grew to be a commentary on the wickedness of mankind. Prestonremarked on the multitude there was of Egyptian spoons. 

"What do you mean by that, Preston?" said his aunt. 

"Causes of quarrel, ma'am. "

"Why do you call them Egyptian spoons?"

"Causes of trouble, I should say, ma'am. "

"And again I say, why do you call them Egyptian spoons?"

"I beg your pardon, aunt Felicia. Egypt was always a cause of trouble tothe faithful; and I was afraid little Daisy has had just a spoonful ofit lately. "

"Daisy, what have you been saying to your cousin?"

"Nothing, mamma, about that; only what Preston asked me. "

"I am sure you did not say what I asked of you, Daisy. She told menothing at all, aunt Felicia, except by what she did not tell me. "

"She behaved very sweetly about it, indeed, " said Mrs. Gary. "She mademe feel quite easy about keeping it. I shall have to find out what I cansend, to Daisy that she will like. "

"What are you and Preston doing there?" Mrs. Randolph asked with acloudy face. 

"Studying, mamma; I am. English history. "

"That is no way of studying; and that tray--what have you got in it?"

"England, mamma. "

Preston laughed. Mrs. Randolph did not join him. 

"What have you got in that thing, Daisy? sand?"

"O no, mamma--it's something--it's prepared clay, I believe. "

"Prepared!" said Mrs. Randolph. "Prepared for something besides mylibrary. You are hanging over it all day, Daisy--I do not believe it isgood for you. "

"O mamma, it is!"

"I think I shall try whether it is not good for you to be without it. "

"O no, mamma. " Daisy looked in dismay. "Do ask Dr. Sandford if he thinksit is not good for me. "

"There he is, then, " said Mrs. Randolph, "Doctor, I wish you would seewhether Daisy is occupying herself, in your judgment, well, when she ishanging over that thing half the day. "

Dr. Sandford came up. Daisy was not afraid of his decision, for she knewhe was on her side. Mrs. Randolph on the other hand did not wish, todispute it, for she was, like most other people, on the doctor's side. He came up and looked at the tray. 

"What is this?"

"The map of England, sir. "

"Pray what are you doing with it?"

"Making it, sir, and studying English history. "

"What are these pins? armies? or warriors? they are in confusionenough. "

"O there is no confusion, " said Daisy. "They are castles and towns. "

"For instance?--"

"This is Dover Castle, " said Daisy, touching a red-headed pin; "and thisis Caernarvon, and Conway; and these black ones are towns. There isLondon--and Liverpool--and York--and Oxford--don't you see?"

"I see, but it would take a witch to remember. What are you doing?"

"Studying English history, sir; and as fast as we come to a great townor castle we mark it. These bits of paper shew where the greatbattle-fields are. "

"Original!" said the doctor. 

"No sir, it is not, " said Daisy. "Captain Drummond taught it to me. "

"What, the history?"

"No; but this way of playing. "

Preston was laughing and trying to keep quiet. Nothing could be graverthan the doctor. 

"Is it interesting, this way of playing?"

"Very!" said Daisy, with a good deal of eagerness, more than she wishedto shew. 

"I wish you would forbid it, Dr. Sandford, " said Daisy's mother. "I donot believe in such a method of study, nor wish Daisy to be engrossedwith any study at all. She is not fit for it. "

"Whereabouts are you?" said the doctor to Daisy. 

"We are just getting through the wars of the Roses. "

"Ah! I never can remember how those wars began--can you?"

"They began when the Duke of York tried to get the crown of Henry theSixth. But I think he was wrong--don't you?"

"Somebody is always wrong in those affairs, " said the doctor. "You aregetting through the wars of the Roses. What do you find was the end ofthem?"

"When the Earl of Richmond came. We have just finished the battle ofBosworth Field. Then he married Elizabeth of York, and so they wore thetwo roses together. "

"Harmoniously?" said the doctor. 

"I don't know, sir. I do not know anything about Henry the Seventh yet. "

"What was going on in the rest of the world while the Roses were at warin England?"

"O I don't know, sir!" said Daisy, looking up with a sudden expressionof humbleness. "I do not know anything about anywhere else. "

"You do not know where the Hudson River was then. "

"I suppose it was where it is now?"

"Geographically, Daisy; but not politically, socially, or commercially. Melbourne House was not thinking of building; and the Indians ferriedtheir canoes over to Silver Lake, where a civilized party are going in afew days to eat chicken salad under very different auspices. "

"Were there no white people here?"

"Columbus had not discovered America, even. He did that just about sevenyears after Henry the Seventh was crowned on Bosworth Field. "

"I don't know who Columbus was, " Daisy said, with a glance so wistfuland profound in its sense of ignorance, that Dr. Sandford smiled. 

"You will hear about him soon, " he said, turning away to Mrs. Randolph. That lady did not look by any means well pleased. The doctor stoodbefore her looking down, with the sort of frank, calm bearing thatcharacterized him. 

"Are you not, in part at least, a Southerner?" was the lady's firstquestion. 

"I am sorry I must lose so much of your good opinion as to confessmyself a Yankee, " said the doctor steadily. 

"Are you going to give your sanction to Daisy's plunging herself intostudy, and books, and all that sort of thing, Dr. Sandford?"

"Not beyond _my_ depth to reach her. "

"I do not think it is good for her. She is very fond of it, and she doesa great deal too much of it when she begins; and she wants strengtheningfirst, in my opinion. You have said enough now to make her crazy afterthe history of the whole world. "

"Mrs. Randolph, I must remind you that though, you can hinder a treefrom growing, in a particular place, you cannot a fungus; if theconditions be favourable. "

"What do you mean?"

"I think this may be a good alterative. "

The lady looked a little hard at the doctor. 

"There is one book I wish you could hinder her from reading, " she said, lowering her tone. 

"What is that, madam?"

"She is just the child not to bear it; and she is injured by poring overthe Bible. "

"Put the Bibles out of her way, " suggested the doctor. 

"I have, as much as I can; but it is not possible to do it perfectly. "

"Then I counsel you to allow her the use of this medicine, " said Dr. Sandford, glancing towards the tray, which no longer held Daisy'sattention. For together with her mother's lowering of voice, the oneword "Bible" had come to her consciousness. Daisy was at no loss toguess what it meant. The low tones of the speakers gave her sufficientinformation. 

Thus far; that her Bible was reckoned an undesirable treasure for her byher mother. Was her own dear little particular Bible in danger? the onethat Mr. Dinwiddie had given her? Daisy was alarmed. She did not enjoyany more battle-fields, nor enter with good heart into her history workfrom that time, until she could get up stairs again and see that it wassafe, and contrive some way or place to keep it safe in time to come. Where could such a place be? It was a puzzle, because all Daisy's thingswere, of course, open to her mother. Perhaps Daisy's fears wereneedless; but after the affair of her Egyptian spoon she looked withjealous eves not only on her Bible, but on her trilobite. She sat downwith a dismayed little face, to think where she could find ahiding-place. She thought of putting the Bible under her bed or pillow;but the bed was turned over every morning, and the servants would findit. None of her bureau drawers or cabinet drawers were secure. Daisypondered all manner of impossible places. At last fixed upon a spot ofthe floor covered by an ottoman. The ottoman was hollow and not veryheavy, and never moved after the room was put in order every day. Tillthe room was put in order Daisy hid her Bible in a drawer; then took itout and consigned it to the obscurity of the ottoman. 

She was greatly afraid, then, of being found reading it. She had notheard the words which passed between the doctor and her mother; only theword "Bible;" but the low tones made her well enough aware that thematter of their talk was somehow adverse; it boded nothing kindly to herand the Bible. So Daisy was in another perplexity; and resolved that tobe as safe as she could, she would read with locked doors for thefuture. And as doors must not be locked at times when her mother mightbe coming and going, Daisy chose early morning and late evening for herBible-reading. She used to let June undress her, and finish all herduties of dressing-maid; then she sent her away and locked her doors, and read in comfort. This lasted a little while; then one unlucky nightDaisy forgot to unlock her doors. The morning came, and June with it;but June could neither get in nor dare knock loud enough to make Daisyhear; she was obliged to come round through her mistress'sdressing-room. But Daisy's door on that side was locked too! June wasgoing softly away. 

"What do you want?" said her mistress. 

"If you please, ma'am, " said June, stopping very unwillingly--"I thoughtit was time to wake Miss Daisy. "

"Why do you not go in, then?"

"Ma'am--the door is locked, " said June, in a scarce audible undertone. 

"Locked?--knock. "

June went back and knocked. 

"Louder, " said Mrs. Randolph, who was under her maid's hands; "you wouldnot waken a cat at that rate. Make yourself heard. "

June's taps, however, continued so fearfully gentle, that Mrs. Randolph, arose and came to the door herself. One or two of the touches of herimperative fingers brought a little figure in white night-dress andjust-awakened face, to open the door. 

"Daisy, " said her mother, "what is your door fast for?"

"Mamma--I wanted it fast for a few minutes. "

"Did you lock it last night or this morning?"

"Last night--I thought--I meant to have opened it. "

"Both your doors?"

"Yes, mamma. "

"All night locked! Now, Daisy, I forbid you ever to turn the key in yourdoor again, night or day. "

"O mamma!--I want it shut sometimes. "

"Hush. Go and let June dress you. "

June was vexed enough with herself to have inflicted some punishment onher awkward tongue and head, when she saw that Daisy was for some reasonor other deeply grieved. The tears gathered and fell, quietly, allthrough the process of dressing; and a sort of sob heaved from thechild's breast now and then, without words and most involuntary. Juanita's cottage was a palace to Melbourne House, if peace made thefurniture. But June did not know what to say; so she was silent too. 

When June was gone Daisy went to her beloved window, and stood there. She did not like to kneel, because her mother might come in, or evenJune, while she was doing so. She stood at the sweet open window, andprayed that the Lord would take care of her, and help her to prayhowever she could. And then the thought of those words came toDaisy:--"Thou, therefore, endure hardness, as a good soldier of JesusChrist. " She remembered very well how Captain Drummond had described theway a good soldier takes things--hard and disagreeable things as well asothers. It is part of his business to endure them; he expects them, andminds them not at all in comparison with the service in which he isengaged. And a soldier of Jesus Christ has only to obey him, and takewillingly whatever comes in the line of his service. What matter? Theonly thing was to obey orders, and do the work she was set upon. Hardships did not seem much like hardships when she thought of them inthis way. And then it occurred to Daisy, that if she _could_ not fastenher doors, she had better just kneel down as usual with them open. Shecould not do without praying; and if she must be in traded upon, why itwas a little hardship that she had better not mind. And when she hadthought that, Daisy kneeled down; and she never had any more troubleabout it. She did fancy, even that first morning, that she heard thelock of her door turn; but she did not move to see, and hearing nothingmore she soon forgot it. Nobody wore such a bright and fresh face at thebreakfast-table as Daisy; such a glad and uncareful face; and Mrs. Randolph seeing it, was reassured; though she had just seen her littledaughter at her prayers, on her knees, by the window. She looked sohappy now, that the lady was inclined to hope her religion was achildish folly, which would pass away and be forgotten in time. 

But for the present Daisy was a soldier; and meditating much on aservice which she had to perform. That very day, if you had beenthere, and worn an invisible cap, you might have gone into her roomand seen what she was about. On the ottoman aforesaid Daisy'swriting-desk was placed; and before it on a cricket sat Daisy, witha face, O how grave and busy! A very weight of care of some sortseemed to lie under her childish little brow. She was opening herdesk and looking out paper; some she felt and rejected--it was toothin or too blue, or something; she tried her pen on another kind;it did not go well. At last a thick little sheet of note paper waschosen; and Daisy began to write. Or rather, sat over the paper withher pen in her fingers, thinking how to write. She looked veryanxious; then took bits of paper and a pencil and tried differentforms of a sentence. At last, with slow care, and fingers thattrembled, a line or two was inscribed on the beautiful thick littlesheet of English note paper. 

 "Dear papa, won't you think about being a Christian? Do not be displeased with

 "DAISY. "

It was written all out, as fair as she could; and then you might haveseen Daisy's little round head go down on her hands on the desk. It didnot move for a good while. When it was lifted up, she sought out anenvelope rather hurriedly, directed it, folded and put in her note, andsealed it. 

Daisy shut her desk then, and with a manner not quite as calm andcareless as usual, went to her father's dressing table and stoodconsidering where she should put the note. Under the cushion, it mightbe seen first by a servant, and then delivered to Mr. Randolph in themidst of company. Under his dressing-box, the same fate threatened it. Daisy peered about, and thought, and trembled for several minutes. Shehad a fancy that she did not want him to get it before the next morning, when he would be quietly dressing here alone. He would certainly beopening his dressing-box before that. The only place Daisy could be surewould not be invaded before that, was the place she chose; she took offthe cover of his box of shaving soap and with some trouble squeezed thenote in so that it would lie safely hid; then put on the cover and putthe box in its place, and went away with light hands and a heavy heart. Heavy, that is, with a burden of doubt mingled with fear. Would Mr. Randolph be angry? Daisy could not feel sure that that would not be theconsequence of her proceeding. Perhaps he would be very much displeased, and think it very disrespectful and improper that his little daughtershould take so much upon herself. Daisy knew quite well all that. Butwho else in the world would take the responsibility if she did not? Noone; and Daisy with all her fear did not once think of going to get hernote away again before it should be read. Her heart yearned towards herfather. He was so very gentle and tender in his manner with her, morethan ever, Daisy thought; she felt that the love between them wasgrowing strong and deep even beyond what it used to be. And while heknew nothing of the joy that filled her own heart, and while he refusedobedience to the laws that she knew were binding on him as well as onher, he must be also, she knew, without the favour and blessing of God. He had no part in it; nothing to do with it; and Daisy's heart swelledwith childish sorrow and longing. She had thought a great deal about it, and concluded that she must bear "the message, " even plainly in words, to her father, before she could feel satisfied. Little hands might takethe message, Juanita had said; so humbly Daisy's took it; and then sheprayed that it might not be for nothing. She knew all her hands could dowas not much. 

All the remainder of that day, Daisy never forgot her note in the box ofshaving soap. She knew it was extremely unlikely that the box would beopened sooner than the next morning; nevertheless, whenever Mr. Randolphcame near where she was, Daisy looked up with something like a start. There was nothing in his face to alarm her; and so night came, and Daisykissed him twice for good night, wondering to herself whether he wouldfeel like kissing her when they met again. Never mind, the message mustbe delivered, cost what it might. Yes, this was soldier's service. Daisywas going into the enemy's country. 

Mr. Randolph had felt the lingering touch of Daisy's lips, and thethought of it came to him more than once in the course of theevening--"like the wind that breathes upon a bank of violets"--with abreath of sweetness in the remembrance. Nevertheless he had pretty wellforgotten it, when he pulled off the cover of his box of shaving soapthe next morning. He was belated and in something of a hurry. If ever aman suddenly forgot his hurry, Mr. Randolph did, that morning. He knewthe unformed, rather irregular and stiff handwriting in a moment; andconcluded that Daisy had some request to make on her own account whichshe was too timid to speak out in words. That was what he expected whenhe opened the paper; but Eve could not have been much more surprisedwhen the serpent spoke to her in the garden of Eden, than was Mr. Randolph at finding that his little lamb of a child had dared to openher mouth to him in this fashion. 

"Mr. Randolph, you will be late, " said the lady who owned that name, coming to his door. And seeing her husband standing still with his elbowleaning on his dressing-table, she walked in. 

"You will assuredly be late! what have you got there?"

The little sheet of English note-paper lay spread out on thedressing-table. Mr. Randolph was looking at it. He did not answer, andthe lady bent nearer for a moment and then stood upright. 

"Daisy!" exclaimed Mrs. Randolph. 

Her husband made an inarticulate sort of a noise, as he turned away andtook up his neglected shaving soap. 

"What is this?" said the lady in astonishment. 

"What you see--" said Mr. Randolph. 

"Where did it come from?"

"The signature tells you. "

"But where did you get it?"

"Here--this moment. "

"The impertinent little minx!"

"Hush. She does not mean to be impertinent, Felicia. "

"Do you like misbehaviour that is not meant, Mr. Randolph?"

"Better than that which _is_ meant. "

"I told you the child would get ruined in that place, " said Mrs. Randolph, after musing a few minutes over the little sheet ofnote-paper. 

Mr. Randolph made a lather and applied it. That might be the reason whyhe made no answer. 

"I call it impertinence, " the lady went on, "and very well grownimpertinence too--from a child like that! It is the trick of allreligious people, to think themselves better and wiser than the rest ofthe world; but I think Daisy has learnt the lesson early!"

Still silence on Mr. Randolph's part and steady attention to his toiletduties. 

"What notice do you mean to take of this?"

"I think, none at all. "

"Mr. Randolph, Daisy is ruined!"

"I do not quite see it yet. "

"I wish you would see it. She is full of stupid stiff ways, which willbe habits fixed as iron in a little time if we do not break them up. Shedoes not act like a child. "

"She is very like a child to me, " said Mr. Randolph. 

"You do not see. Do you observe her way whenever she sits down to table?She covers her face and remains in silent prayer, I suppose, a minute orso. "

A slight laugh came from Mrs. Randolph with the words. Mr. Randolphcould not well laugh, for he was shaving. He remarked that he had neverseen it. 

"I wish you would remember and take notice. She does it regularly. Andshe is not a docile child _any_ longer, I give you warning. You willfind it very difficult to do anything with her in the way of breaking upthis religious stiffness of hers. "

Mr. Randolph was silent a while, and Mrs. Randolph looked vexed. Atlength he remarked that indirect ways were the best. 

"It will take both, " said his wife; "direct and indirect. " And afterthat they went down to breakfast. 

Mr. Randolph was the last, and he was not early; but this morning Daisywas later still. Her father watched for her coming, and did not see itafter all; Daisy stole in so quietly, she was in her seat by his sidebefore he had noticed her. Then perceiving the gentle, sweet, quietlittle face beside him, and recognizing the timid feeling which madeDaisy afraid to meet his eye, he could not refrain; he bent down andgave her a kiss. He was very much touched by the little fluttering startand glance which Daisy returned to this salutation, and he saw that apink flush of pleasure came into her cheeks. Perhaps all this put thesubject of watching her out of Mr. Randolph's head; he certainly did notsee the minute, a few minutes later, when Daisy's hand stole to her browand her eyes were for a short space hidden and her hand moveless. Mrs. Randolph saw it, and saw that he did not. Daisy had forgotten thatanybody could see her. The thanksgiving of her heart had more burdento-day than the ordinary gifts of the morning which she was wont toremember. Her father was not angry with her! It took a load off Daisy'sheart; and she looked so happy all breakfast time that Mr. Randolph wasvery much inclined to slight his wife's fears. 

Juanita's constant habit of thankfulness and of expressing herthankfulness, during the weeks Daisy had spent with her had gone downinto the child's heart. With every meal, though taken by herself allalone, Daisy had seen the old woman acknowledging gratefully from whosehand she got it. And with other things beside meals; and it had seemedsweet and pleasant to Daisy to do so. At home, when she was suddenlytransferred to her father's stately board, where every beauty and luxurywere gathered together and an array of friends to help each other enjoyit; and no one remembered, no one acknowledged that any gratitude wasdue to the hand that had supplied the board and given the friends, Daisy's heart was pained by a great sense of want. Not thank God for allthese things? give no acknowledgement of praise to him? She could notbear to have it so. She thought nobody would notice her, or know whatshe was doing if they did notice her; and she used to put her hand overher brow and comfort her own heart with giving the thanks she wanted toexpress. She soon forgot to be afraid anybody would notice her. But Mrs. Randolph marked it all, and now never missed the minute when Daisy'sface was shielded. 

CHAPTER IV. 

The thing on hand now was the expedition to Silver Lake. Daisy's footand ankle were getting sufficient strength to bear all the work thatneed be asked of them; and it was best to go while the hot weather stilllingered. It was early in September, and the day was fixed. Quite aparty was going. There were no visitors at Melbourne House now exceptMrs. Gary and her children; but that brought the home party up to seven. Dr. Sandford was going, of course. Then some other neighbours. Mrs. Stanfield had promised to go, with her little daughter Ella and herolder daughter Theresa. Mrs. Fish was coming from another quarter of thecountry, with her children, Alexander and Frederica. Mr. Fish and Mr. Stanfield were to go too; and Mr. And Mrs. Sandford, the doctor'sbrother and sister-in-law. However, though this was to be such a strongmuster, Daisy thought of only two or three of the number that concernedher personally. Preston and Ransom, of course; Alexander Fish; thoughthe two latter she thought of as likely to make disturbance more thananything else; and Daisy liked a most lady-like quietness and proprietyin everything in which she was engaged. But besides these there was onlyElla Stanfield whose age would bring her into contact with Daisy; andDaisy, very much of late accustomed to being alone or with older people, looked with some doubtfulness at the prospect of having a youngcompanion to entertain. With that exception, and it hardly made one, nothing could look brighter in the distance than Silver Lake. 

Several days passed between Daisy's giving the note to her father andthe one fixed on for the expedition. In all that time Daisy was left toguess whether or not it had been seen and read by him. No sign or tokentold her; there was none; and Daisy could only conclude that he _must_have seen it, because he could not very well help doing so. But she wasnot at all discouraged. Rather the contrary; seeing that certainly herfather was not displeased with her. 

In all these days too, Mr. Randolph had ample time and chance to observeDaisy's action which had so disturbed her mother at meal times. Yethitherto he had never spoken of it. In fact it was so quietly done thatoften the moment escaped him; and at other times, Daisy's manner soasked for a shield rather than a trumpet, and the little face thatlooked up from being covered with her hand was so bright and sweet, thatperhaps his heart shrank from saying anything that would change theexpression. At any rate, Daisy had been safe thus far. 

Great preparations were making for the Silver Lake day. Thursday it wasto be. Wednesday evening Dr. Sandford was at Melbourne. Daisy wasconsidering the arrangements of a little packed basket of her own. 

"Are you expecting to have a good time to-morrow, Daisy?" he asked. Daisy smiled as she said yes. 

"But you will have to keep quiet. I shall not let you run about like therest. "

"I can sit quiet and look at the lake, " said Daisy; with so absolutelycontented a face that the doctor smiled. 

"But in parties of pleasure, do you know, my friend, it generallyhappens that people cannot do what they expected to do?"

"Then I can do something else, " said Daisy, looking very fearless ofanything disagreeable. 

"Will you let your old friend, Nora Dinwiddie, join the party?"

"Nora! O is Nora coming?" exclaimed Daisy. 

"Mrs. Sandford commissioned me to make the enquiry, Mrs. Randolph, whether one more would be too many? Her little relation, Daisy's friendI believe, has returned to her for the rest of the season. "

"Certainly!" Mrs. Randolph said, --"there was room for everybody. " Thelady's manner told nothing; but nevertheless Daisy did not venture toshew her joy. She did not say another word about Nora. The hour ofmeeting was determined, and the doctor withdrew. Daisy looked over thecontents of her basket again with fresh satisfaction, made sure that allwas right and everything there; and went to bed happy. 

Thursday morning broke fair as eye could see. The September sun rose ina haze of warm rays; promising, as Mrs. Randolph said, that the heatwould be stifling by and by. Daisy did not care, for her part. They hadbreakfast earlier than usual; for the plan was to get on the other sideof the river before the sun should be too oppressive. They had scarcelyrisen from the table when the Sandford party drove up to the door. Thesewere to go in a boat with the party from Melbourne House. Mr. And Mrs. Fish, from higher up the river, were to cross in their own boat and jointhe rest at the spot appointed on the opposite shore. The Stanfieldswere to do the same, starting from a different point; friends havingarrived that would swell their numbers beyond the original four. Of allthis, Daisy cared just for one thing; that Nora was come and was to goin the boat with her, and no other. The meeting between the twochildren, on the steps of Melbourne, was most joyous. 

"O Nora! I'm so glad you have come!"--and, "O Daisy! I'm so glad to behere!"--and a small host of small questions and answers, that indeedmeant a great deal, but would not read for much. 

"O Nora, isn't it nice!" said Daisy, as they stood on the steps, whilethe carriages waited, below before the door. 

"It's grand, " said Nora. "Why aunt Frances says we shall be gone allday. "

"To be sure we shall, " said Daisy. "Papa is going to fish; and so isPreston, and Dr. Sandford and other people, I suppose; and some of themen take their tackle along too. There is nice fish in the Lake. "

"What men do you mean?" said Nora. 

"O, the men that manage the boat and carry the baskets; there are everso many baskets to go, you know; and the men must carry them; becausethe path won't let a wagon go. "

"Who is going to carry you?" said Dr. Sandford coming out behind them. 

"Me?" said Daisy. 

"Yes. "

"Why I do not want anybody to carry me, Dr. Sandford. "

"Don't you? I do. And I shall want two men to do it. Whom will you have?I have arranged a mountain chair for you, Daisy. "

"A chair!" said Daisy. How could that be? And then she saw in Dr. Sandford's wagon, a chair to be sure; a common, light, cane-bottomedarm-chair; with poles sticking out before and behind it very oddly. Shelooked up at the doctor, and Nora demanded what that was?

"Something like the chairs they use in the mountains of Switzerland, tocarry ladies up and down. "

"To carry me?" said Daisy. 

"For that purpose. Now see whom you will have to do it. "

Daisy and Nora ran away together to consult her father. The matter wassoon arranged. James the footman, and Michael the coachman, were to goto carry baskets and help manage the boat; James being something of asailor. Now Logan and Sam were pressed into the service; the latter totake James's business, as porter, and leave the latter free to be achair-bearer. 

"I don't see how the boat is to carry all the people, " Nora remarked. 

"O yes, " said Daisy, "it is a big boat; it will hold everybody, I guess;and it goes with a sail, Nora. Won't that be nice? Papa knows how tomanage it. "

"It will want a very large boat to take us all, " Nora persisted. "I wentout with Marmaduke in a sail-boat once--_he_ knows how to manage asail-boat too;--and I am sure it wouldn't have held half as many peopleas we have got here. No, nor a quarter as many. "

"O yes, but our boat is bigger, I suppose, " said Daisy. "Don't you liketo go in a boat, Nora?"

"I like it if it don't lean over too far, " said Nora. "I thought it wasgoing to turn over once or twice, when I was out with Marmaduke thattime. I was afraid. "

"I am not afraid with papa, " said Daisy. "I know he can manage it. "

"Why so can Marmaduke manage it, " said Nora; "and he said I needn't beafraid; but I was. "

The carriages took the whole party down to the shore in a few minutes. There lay the sail-boat all ready, her sails shaken out; and James andSam, on board already, received basket after basket from the hands ofLogan and the coachman and stowed them away in what seemed to be a placeof ample accommodations. Daisy and Nora, hand in hand, stood on theshore looking at all that was done, and with eager eyes. The summerbreeze just played lightly and rippled the water, on which the morningsun made a warm glow, early in the day as it was. 

"What _could_ so many baskets be wanted for?" said Nora. 

"Why, to carry all the things. You know there will be a great manypeople to eat dinner at Silver Lake. "

"Dinner?" said Nora; "do people eat dinner when they go to a pic-nic?"

"Why yes. What do you think they do?"

"I thought it was just a pic-nic. "

[Illustration]

"What is that?" said Daisy curiously. But just then there was a stir;the ladies and gentlemen were getting into the boat, and the childrenhad to be ready for their turn. It came; and Mr. Randolph handed oneafter the other safe over the gunwale of the big sail-boat and placedthem happily beside each other in the middle space, where they couldhave an excellent time for talking. But they wanted no talking at first. When all were aboard and ready, the boat was cast loose from the shoreand her sail trimmed to catch the soft northerly air that came blowingdown the river. Slowly the sail caught the breeze--would it be strongenough to take her? the children thought--slowly, very slowly, the boatedged its way out from the shore--then the breeze filled the sail full, took good hold, and began to push the little vessel with a sensiblemotion out towards the river channel. Steady and sweet the motion was, gathering speed. The water presently rippled under the boat's prow, andshe yielded gently a little to the pressure on the sail, tipped herselfgracefully a little over, and began to cleave her way through therippling water in good earnest. Then how the waves sparkled! how cheerythe movement was! how delicious the summer air over the water! although, the sun was throwing down his beams with great power already and the, day promised to be sultrily hot. 

"It is going to be intense, " said Mrs. Randolph. 

"Melting!"--said Mrs. Gary. 

"You will have enough of it before the end of the day--" remarked Mr. Sandford. Mr. Sandford was a good-humoured looking gentleman, with asensible face and black whiskers; but he was a gentleman, and Daisyapproved of him. He was very unlike his brother. His wife was a veryplain person, in feature, and not very talkative; letting her husband dothat for her; but kindly and pleasant nevertheless; and Daisy approvedof her too. 

"At what hour do you expect the day _will_ end, practically?" inquiredMrs. Randolph of her husband. He smiled. 

"I should say--judging from present tokens--not till the sun gets welldown on his western way. "

"First-rate!" said Preston aside. "We'll have a good time for fishing. "

"But that will make it very late crossing the river, Mr. Randolph? willit not?"

"It may. "

"There is a moon, " said Mrs. Sandford. 

"Moon! I hope we are not to be beholden to the moon's good offices!"exclaimed the other lady. "It is only ten o'clock now--not that. Weshall be tired to death of the woods before we have done with them. "

"You must try fishing, aunt Felicia, " said Preston. 

"Yes--a good idea, " remarked Mr. Sandford. "I do not know how the ladiescan get along without some sport--ha, ha! There is a boat on thelake--isn't there?"

"They say so, " Mr. Randolph returned. "I have not been there for a longtime. "

"Then I shall take the charge of your entertainment, Mrs. Randolph, " Mr. Sandford went on. "I shall persuade you to put yourself under myguidance, and let me initiate you into the mysteries of pickerelcatching. "

"I do not think you can persuade me out of the shade--if once I get init again--" said the lady. 

"Why mamma, " said Ransom, "pickerel fishing is splendid!"

Mr. Randolph looked at Daisy. No heat nor shadow too much for her! Withone hand clasped in Nora's, her little face was a pattern of perfectcontent; nay, it was full of delighted joy. Mr. Randolph thought hecould endure his portion of the heat. 

"Nora, " said Daisy, "isn't it nice?"

"It goes nicely now, " said Nora. 

"But isn't it pleasant?"

"Yes. It is a great deal pleasanter than in a little boat. This one isgood and large. "

"Isn't the water pretty?"

"I like the green grass better, " said Nora. 

"O yes! but then I like this too. I like it very much. Nora, what didyou mean by a pic-nic?"

"A pic-nic?" said Nora. 

"Yes; you said you thought people did not eat dinner, but it was a_pic-nic_. "

"Well, I thought they didn't. "

"What did you mean by a _pic-nic_?"

"Why I meant just that. You know what a pic-nic is. "

"We always have dinner when we go on a pic-nic, " said Daisy. 

"Then I don't think it is a pic-nic. "

"What is it?"

"I don't know. Daisy, are you going to ride in that queer chair?"

"I suppose so. My ankle isn't quite strong yet, you know. Wasn't it niceof Dr. Sandford to prepare it for me?"

"I don't know, _I_ don't think he is nice, " said Nora. 

Which expression of opinion was so very startling to Daisy that it tookher some time to recover from it. She sought out the doctor with her eyewhere he was sitting forward of the mast, somewhat hid from her by apiece of the sail; she scanned his countenance, with its calm noblenessof feature, and steadfast, reserved, beautiful blue eye. Doubtless, hewas not everything Daisy wished him; nevertheless to her he was very"nice" indeed. Her eye came back satisfied. 

At the other end of the boat the party were talkative and gay. Mr. Randolph held the main sheet in his own hand; Mr. Sandford had therudder; neither of them had much to do; for the wind was gentle andfair, and the boat kept her straight course for the opposite shore. Theriver was wide however at this place; the other shore was an object inview for a good while before they reached it. Slowly and steadily thelittle skiff skimmed over; they got to the middle of the river; then thetrees before them on the other side, with the cleared fields in one ortwo spots, began to shew in more distinct forms and colours. The sun wasvery hot! So hot, that it seemed to kill the breeze. As they drew neartheir place of disembarkation, the motion of the vessel grew slack; thesail fluttered now and then; the propelling force just lasted till theygot to shore, and then nobody said anything more of any air felt to bestirring. 

"I think we had better stay on the water, " said Mrs. Gary. "It ispositively stifling here. "

"It will be better when we get in the woods, " suggested Mr. Sandford. 

"No, --begging your pardon, " Mr. Randolph answered. 

"No?--will it be worse, Mr. Randolph?" said his wife. 

"I hope not--for I think you could broil a beefsteak here in anotherhour; when the sun gets on the meridian. "

"Then do let us move away from here at once! it is oppressive. I do notknow how we are going to walk, but I suppose we shall find out. We mayhope there will be a little freshness by the lake. "

Mr. Stanfield's boat however had to be waited for a few minutes. It gotto shore just as Mr. Fish's skiff appeared in sight coasting down on thesame side, from behind a point. The whole party were soon together, exchanging shakes of the hand and puffs of condolence on the state ofthe atmosphere. There was presently a division of forces. All the boys, Preston, Ransom, and Alexander Fish, compared notes and fishing tackle. The ladies and gentlemen, with one or two elder girls, Frederica Fishand Theresa Stanfield and Eloïse Gary, congregated into a moving mass ofmuslins and parasols. While Daisy and Nora were joined by EllaStanfield; and a great constraint fell upon all three. Ella was acomparative stranger; a nice looking child, thoughtful and old beyondher years. She looked like gravity; Nora liked gayety; while Daisy wasmost like the thing that bears her name. They stood like little pinks ofpropriety, without saying anything to each other. This constraint wassoon broken up by the preparations for the march. On enquiry it wasfound that there were two or three ways to the lake. One was short andeasy (in comparison) but very narrow; a mere footpath through the woods. Another had a wider track; but it had also a rough footing of rocks andstones, and was much longer; taking a circuit to reach the place. Another still was only used by eager lovers of the picturesque, thoughit was said to reward them. 

As soon as all this was explained to the understanding of the company, the larger division set off immediately for the easiest and quickestroad to the lake; no other recommendation was worth a moment'sconsidering. With quick disappearance one after another muslin dress andgay parasol was lost within the edge of the woods which their chosenpath immediately entered. They vanished from the shore. Every one ofthem was presently out of sight. Mr. Randolph had seen that Dr. Sandfordwas putting Daisy into her travelling conveyance; and thinking noattention of his own could be needful he had gone on in advance of theparty with Mrs. Stanfield. The very last of them, muslins and parasolsand all, was swallowed up in the enclosing woods, almost before Daisywas established in her chair. Her bearers lifted it then to receiveinstructions from Dr. Sandford as to their method of playing their part. They were Logan and Sam; James was devoted to his own particular charge. 

"Why where are Nora and Ella?" Daisy suddenly exclaimed. 

"Everybody seems to have gone on, " answered the doctor. "Except theboys. Now Daisy, are you comfortable? is it all right?"

"It is nice, Dr. Sandford!"--But at the same time Daisy wondered muchand grieved not a little that her companions should have left her to goalone. Was that kindness? or good manners?

"Did they know which way I was going?" she said. 

"I fancy so, " said the doctor; "they have done as everybody elsedoes--gone with the crowd. Now, you fellows, you know the way. "

"Yes, sir. "

"When you come to a house, remember, you must turn sharp to the right. Boys, you must go with the chair as a body-guard. "

"Why must we?" said Ransom. 

"You would not have your sister go alone?"

"You are going that way. "

"You are mistaken. I am not. "

"She has got Logan and Sam to take care of her. Girls always have to betaken care of!" exclaimed Ransom in disgust. 

"I am astonished at your want of gallantry. Preston, I shall depend onyou to see that the chair is properly attended. "

"Which way are you going, sir?"

"By myself--to see if I can get a shot at something. "

Preston did not look delighted, Daisy saw, though he accepted the chargethe doctor gave him. The doctor himself strode off with his gun, disappearing in the woods at the nearest point. Daisy was left with hertwo bearers and her three attendants. 

"Well boys, we may as well get along, " said Ransom discontentedly. "There is no occasion that we should keep poking on behind thisconcern. "

They passed it and took the lead. Preston as he passed asked Daisy howit went, and if she were comfortable. It went very nicely, and she wasvery comfortable; and receiving this assurance Preston sprang forward toregain Alexander Fish's company, with whom he was holding an animateddiscourse on the making and using of artificial flies. The three boystrudged along in advance; the motions of their busy heads, and of theiractive feet, telling that there was no lack of interest or excitement_there_. The chair followed steadily with its little burden. It wentnicely; she was very comfortable; it was a new and most pleasant mode ofgetting over the ground; and yet--there was something at work in Daisy'sheart that was not pleasure. She was sadly disappointed. She was leftalone. It had tried her a good deal that Nora and Ella should have ranafter the larger party with so cavalier an abandonment of her, when theyknew her chair must go another road. Then she was very sorry that thedoctor had seen good to forsake her; and felt that from thethoughtfulness or unselfishness of boys she had little to hope for. Lookat them! there they went before her, putting more and more distancebetween them and the chair every minute. Perhaps they would entirelyforget their little convoy and be out of sight in a trifle more time. And in all that big party of pleasure, everybody engaged with somebodyelse, she was left with no one to speak to her, and no company at allbut that of Logan and Sam. Daisy two or three times put up her handstealthily to her face to get rid of a tear that had found its waythere. Daisy thought at first that she would not have done so to herfriends as they had done to her; but then presently she reflected whatreason she had to know better and to do better, that they had not; andinstead of anything like resentment, a very gentle and tender feeling ofpity and kindness arose in Daisy's mind toward them. Her hurt sense ofunfriendliness quite soothed itself away; and now Daisy began to enjoyherself and the day and the party of pleasure. Her share of it, atleast. Her chair was under shadow of the tall woods now. It is true, itwas very hot there. No air seemed moving. The chair-bearers often raisedan arm to their brows to wipe away the heated moisture that stood thereand ran down their faces. But Daisy had no exertion to make; and insteadof that, her own motion seemed to give a little life to the lifelessair. Then she was at leisure to look and enjoy; not having even to takecare of her own footing. The depth of green leafage over her head whenshe looked up; the depth of green shade on either hand of her, piercedby the endless colonnade of the boles of trees; how wildly beautiful itwas! Daisy thought of a good many things she would like to ask Dr. Sandford--if she had the liberty; but he did not talk about wonderfulthings to her now that she was well and had her own means of amusement. Now and then Daisy had the sight of a red squirrel, running along atree bough or scampering over the ground from one rock to another. Whatjumps he would make to get out of her way! And birds were singing too, sometimes; and mosses were spread out in luxuriant patches of woodcarpeting in many places; and rocks were brown and grey, and grown withother mosses and ferns; and through all this fairy work of beautyDaisy's chair went at an easy, quiet pace, with a motion that shethought it very pleasant to feel. 

It was a wild old wood, which nobody had ever meddled with. Things werejust as nature's work had made them. The path the little party weretravelling was a wood road merely, where country wagons had made atrack; or more properly, where the country people had made a track fortheir wagons. It was but a rough way; stumps of trees that had been cutdown stood right in the middle of it; and rocks and stones were in someplaces very thickly strewn over it. After some time of wandering overlevel ground, the path took a turn and began to get among the hills. Itwound up and down and was bordered now by steep hillsides andsharp-rising rocks. It was all the wilder and prettier. The house Dr. Sandford spoke of had been passed; the turn had been taken; there wasnothing to do now but follow on till they found the lake; but there wereno signs of it yet, nor any sound of voices to be heard in the distance. Even the boys were gone on out of sight; the stillness of summer noonwas all through the deep woods, for it is a time of day when the birdsdo not feel like ringing much. Daisy enjoyed it. She thought no one ofall their company was having a better time probably than she. 

Suddenly Sam, who was foremost of the bearers, gave a great shout; andat the same instant dropped his end of Daisy's chair and sprang to oneside. Then stood still. 

"What for air ye playing capers like that?" inquired Logan, with an airof great disgust and a strong Scotch accent. Sam stood still, drawinghis countenance into all manner of grimaces. 

"Speak then, can't ye! What ails ye? Don't stand there like a MerryAndrew, boy!"

"I've hurted myself!" Sam groaned. 

"And how did ye hurt yourself? When ye were walking along, couldn't yego for'rard quietly? Where's the hurt?"

"My foot!" said Sam bending down to it. "I can't stir it. Oh!"

"Did ye hurt yourself before or after ye gave such a loup?" Logangrunted, going over however now to bring his own wisdom to bear on Sam'scauses of trouble. "Whatever possessed ye boy, with the end of the chairin your hand?"

"I see a sarpent--" said Sam submissively. 

"A sarpent!" echoed Logan--"it's not your pairt to be frighted if yousee a sarpent. What hurt would the sight of the brute do ye? There's noharm come to ye, boy, but the start. "

"I can't move it--" repeated Sam under his breath. 

"Logan, perhaps he has sprained his ankle, " said Daisy from her chair;where at first she had been pretty well frightened. 

"Weel--I don't see it, " replied Logan slowly and unbelievingly. 

"How does it feel, Sam?" Daisy asked. 

"It don't feel without I stir it, Miss Daisy--and then, it's like aknife. "

"He has sprained it, I am afraid, Logan, " said Daisy getting out of herchair and coming to the consultation. "I think it is swelling now. "

Sam had bared his unfortunate ankle, Logan looked up from it to thelittle speaker whose words were so quietly wise, with unspokenadmiration. 

"Can't ye walk then, Sam?" he urged. "Here is Miss Daisy in the middleof the road and wanting to be at the Lake--and how much farther it maybe to the Lake is a subject unknown to me. Can't ye bear your footsurely?"

Sam's reply was sorrowful but decided; he could not bear it at all, withany weight upon it. 

"Never mind, Logan, " said Daisy; "I can wait. You had better go forwardand see if you can find the boys. They can take care of me. "

Logan felt the justness of this proposition, and at once put his longlegs in swift motion to overtake the advance party; exercising a goodstrong voice too presently in hallooing to them. Daisy was left withSam. The thought crossed her mind that this was getting to be an oddparty of pleasure; but her real concern was for the sprained ankle. That, she was very sorry for. Her own delay and disappointment she tookpatiently. 

Logan's halloos brought the boys to a stand. They waited till he came upto them, not deeming it necessary on their part to go back to see whatwas the matter. When they heard his news there was a disagreeable pause. What was to be done?

"Daisy can walk the rest of the way, " was the decision of her brother. 

"How far is it?" said Preston. 

"I don't know!--it's no great things of a walk anyhow. Girls are alwaysgetting into trouble!"

"But what has got to be done with Sam?" said Preston. 

"He can take care of himself, " said Sam's young master. 

"He can't move, sir, on his own feet, " said Logan. 

"You'll have to carry him, then. I suppose we cannot leave him in thewoods, for humanity. "

"There's Miss Daisy, sir. "

"What a plague!" exclaimed Ransom. "Daisy can walk. She must at anyrate; and you can bring her chair along to make firewood. Boys we oughtto be there this minute--at the Lake. We shall be cheated out of allour fishing before dinner. That's along of mounting guard on a girl!And after dinner there won't be two inches of time. "

"Hush, Ransom!" said Preston. 

At this point the consultation was enlarged, and its character somewhatmodified by the coming of Dr. Sandford upon the scene. From a height notfar off, where he was roaming with his gun, he had perceived the groupdiscerned that something was wrong, and come down with a quick step toreach them. His eye rather than his voice asked what was the matter. Hewas answered in various styles by the different members of the group. 

"Here is a muss!" said Ransom. 

"Miss Daisy, sir, she is left standing in the middle o' theforest!"--said Logan. 

"Sam has very stupidly sprained his ankle, " said Preston, "and cannotmove. "

The doctor without a word turned in the direction from which Logan hadcome. "Follow me, young gentlemen, " said he, looking over hisshoulder, ---"I shall need your help. " So unwillingly enough, the boys, fishing tackle and all, turned back upon their steps, and followed. Theysoon came to Daisy's emptied chair, where she stood mounting guard overSam. 

The ankle was badly sprained; there was no doubt of that. Sam not onlycould carry nobody; he must himself be carried. The doctor ordered thatLogan should take him on his back and convey him as far as the poorlittle house they had passed on the way. A good lift it was, for Sam wasa well grown, stout fellow; but Logan was a long-limbed, sinewy, brawnyScotchman, and he made no difficulty of the job. The doctor in the firstplace deposited his gun against a tree, and did what was needful for thehurt ankle. 

"Now, " said he to Daisy, "how are you going to get forward?"

"I can walk the rest of the way, " said Daisy. 

"Pardon me. Not with my leave. Boys, which, of you will take the honourof being chair-bearers? I have my gun to care for. "

"I will be one, " said Preston. 

"And Ransom will be the other. Come, sir!"

"Honour!"--said Ransom as he moved sullenly forward. "I think girlsought to stay at home when there is anything going on. They are plaguilyin one's way!"

"That is a very womanish speech, " said the doctor; "in so far as that itis very unmanly. "

Ransom's temper nowise improved by this reply, he took up sulkily hisends of the chair poles; and once more the party set forward. It was notquite so pleasant now for Daisy; her chair was no longer carriedsmoothly. Preston, who was in advance, did his part perfectly well; butRansom, behind her, let the chair go up and go down and sway about veryunsteadily, besides that every step was with a jolting motion. It keptDaisy in constant uneasiness. Dr. Sandford walked on just before withhis gun; Alexander Fish came after, laughing and jesting with the otherboys. 

"How does it go, Daisy?" said the doctor, stopping after a while toinquire. 

"Mayn't I get out and walk, Dr. Sandford?"

"What for?"

"I should like it very much!"

"Do you not ride easily?"

"Not quite, " said Daisy. "It throws me about a good deal. "

"Ah! Did it do so when Logan and Sam carried you?"

"I did not feel it then, " said Daisy unwillingly. 

"Your porters are unskilled. "

The doctor took his station by Ransom's hand, remarking that he wouldsee that he did his work well. And he was as good as his word. He kept aconstant eye on the management of the chair: and when Ransom neglectedhis duty, gave him a word of admonition or advice, so keen andcontemptuous in its rebuke, though slight and dry, that even Ransom'sthickness of apprehension felt it, and sheered off from meeting it. Thelast part of the distance Daisy was thoroughly well cared for, and insilence; for the doctor's presence had put a stop to all banteringbetween the boys. In furious silence on Ransom's part this last portionof the way was accomplished. 

At the lake at last! And in Daisy's breast at least, everything butpleasure was now forgotten. A very beautiful sheet of water, not verysmall either, with broken shores, lay girdled, round with the unbrokenforest. Close to the edge of the lake the great trees rose up and flungtheir arms over; the stems and trunks and branches were given back againin the smooth mirror below. Where the path came out upon the lake, aspread of greensward extended under the trees for a considerable space;and this was spotted and variegated now with the scattered members ofthe pleasure party. Blue and pink and white and green, the various lightmuslins contrasted with the grey or the white dresses of the gentlemen;while parasols were thrown about, and here and there a red shawl layupon the ground, for somebody's reclining carpet. To add to all this, which made already a very pretty picture under the canopy of the greattrees, a boat lay moored at a little point further on; baskets andhampers congregated with great promise in another quarter under guard ofJames and one or two of his helpers; and upon it all the sunlight justpeeped through the trees, making sunny flecks upon the ground. Nobodywanted more of it, to tell the truth; everybody's immediate businessupon reaching the place had been to throw himself down and get cool. Daisy and Dr. Sandford were the two signal exceptions. 

Nora and Ella came running up, and there was a storm of questions. "ODaisy, isn't it beautiful!" "How came you to be so long getting here?""Did you have a nice ride?" "O Daisy, what are we going to do, you andElla, and I? Everybody else is going to do something. "

"What are they going to do?" said Daisy. 

"O I don't know! everything. Mr. Randolph is going out in the boat tofish, and all the ladies are going with him--Mrs. Sandford and Mrs. Stanfield and your mother; only Mrs. Fish isn't going; but Mr. Sandfordis. And Eloïse, your cousin, is going to see about having the dinnerready; and Theresa Stanfield is in that too; I think they have got themost fun; but nobody is doing anything yet. It's too hot. Are you hot, Daisy?"

"Not very. "

"O Daisy, " said Ella Stanfield, "couldn't _we_ fish?"

"There are so many boys--" said Daisy; "I do not believe there will beany fishing tackle for us. "

"Can you fish, Daisy?" asked the doctor, who stood near, looking afterhis gun. 

"No, sir. I did catch a fish once--but it was only my line caught it. "

"Not your hand at the end of the line?"

"My hand was not there. The line was lying on the bank and my hook inthe water. "

"Oh! that was it!"

Away went the doctor with his gun, and the boys sped off with theirfishing rods. The heat was too great for anybody else to move. Nevertheless, what are parties of pleasure for _but_ pleasure? they mustnot let the whole day slip away with nothing done but lying in the shadeof the trees. There was a little island in the lake, well wooded likeits shores. It was proposed that the ladies' fishing party should rowover to the island, and there, under another shady grove, carry on theirdesigns against the pickerel. Daisy's wish was to go with that party inthe boat and watch their sport; especially as Mr. Randolph was theleader and manager of it. She was not asked to go; there was no roomfor the little people; so they stood on the shore and saw thesetting-off, and watched the bright dimples every stroke of the oarsmade in the surface of the lake. 

The people were pretty well scattered now. Nobody was left on the groundbut Mrs. Gary and Mrs. Fish, sitting under a tree at some distance, talking; and Eloïse and Theresa, who were charged to superintend thelaying of the cloth. Having nothing particular to do, the three childrenbecame hangers-on, to watch how this business would be conducted; readyto help if they got a chance. 

It was found a difficult business to arrange places for so many peopleon the grass; and the girls finally and wisely gave it up. Theydetermined to set out the eatables only, on a tablecloth spread toreceive them; but to let everybody eat where he felt disposed, or wherehe could find the best bit of shade. Shade was the best thing that day, Theresa Stanfield declared. But the first thing of all was to light afire; for coffee must be boiled, and tea made. The fire was not atroublesome thing to have, for dead wood was in plenty for thegathering. James and Logan, who had come to the scene of action, soonhad that going; and the children forgot that it was hot, in the beautyand the novelty of the thing, and laughed at Theresa's red cheeks as shestooped over the coals with her coffee-pot. About coffee Daisy wasignorant. But tea had been made in her behalf by Juanita too many timesfor her not to have the whole proceeding fixed in her memory. 

"O Eloïse, you must not make that _tea_ now!" she exclaimed. 

"Mustn't I!"

"No. It will be spoiled. "

"Some other things have had the same fate, " said Eloïse. 

"It will not be good for anything, Eloïse, " Daisy persisted gently. "Itshould not be made but just before you want it--just a few minutes. "

"You are wise, Daisy, " returned her cousin. "I do not know so much asyou do, you see. "

Daisy fell back a little. Eloïse and Theresa went to unpacking thehampers; and James, acting under their direction, carried and placed thevarious articles they took out, placed and replaced; for as new andunlooked-for additions were made to the stock of viands, the arrangementof those already on the tablecloth had to be varied. There was awonderful supply; for a hamper had come from every house that had sentmembers to the party. 

"What shall we do with it all?" said Eloïse. 

"Find out what people like--or are expected to like. Just look at thecold chickens! and the ham! I am so thankful for that red lobster, tomake a variety. There are three boxes of sardines--and what is that?"

"Anchovy paste. "

"Well!--and look at the other things! We want an army to eat them. Thereis a dog, to begin with. "

Theresa said it with comical coolness; but Eloïse screamed, as a littlespaniel was perceived to be snuffing round the tablecloth. 

"It's Ransom's dog! Run, Daisy, run, and keep him off. Just stay thereand keep watch of him, or he'll be all over everything. Daisy, run!"

Daisy left the hampers, and walked, or indeed obeyed orders and ran, towhere the little spaniel was threatening a rout among the whole army ofcold chickens. Daisy called him off, and then stood by to take care ofhim. It was very amusing to see Eloïse and Theresa unpack the hampers;and Ella and Nora, finding it so, made no move to join Daisy in herdistant watch. The men were busy running to and fro with the unpackedeatables, and keeping up the fire, and setting piles of plateseverywhere, and laying glasses all round the tablecloth--for they wouldnot stand up--and putting wine in coolers, that is to say, in pails ofice water. Daisy felt alone again, left out of the play. She looked atNora and Ella in the distance--that is, just far enough away to be outof her society, eagerly standing over the hampers; and for a moment feltnot very well pleased, either with them or her cousin Eloïse. But thenshe remembered that she was tired, and sat down with her back against atree; resolved to take all things patiently, if she could; and she verysoon found enough to do, and amusing enough, in ordering the arrangementof the dishes on the tablecloth. Logan was sure to set a thing down inthe wrong place, if he set it anywhere; and even James was confused insuch a very novel state of his department. Daisy found exercise for allher wisdom, and full content came with full employment, naturally. 

You can make pleasure out of almost anything, if you set about it. Inthe intervals she rested, and watched the distant figures of the fishingparty on the island; and gladdened herself with the beauty and the sweetair of the wood, and the flecks of sunshine and moving shadow on theground beneath the trees. I am afraid nobody else found the air sweet, unless it were the doctor. He was hardy, and besides had a philosophicalway of looking at things. Daisy watched for his coming, afraid that hemight wander off beyond luncheon time; but he did not come. The threeboys, however, a less welcome sight, had recollected that there wassomething forward besides fishing; and came strolling along through thetrees towards the tablecloth. Preston was stopped to speak to hismother; the other two approached Daisy. 

"Hello!" said Ransom, "here we are! now where's everybody else? I'mfurious as a lion. "

"A hungry lion, " said Alexander Fish. "I wish we had got some fish forthe people to cook. That's fun. I tell you, Ransom, it's fun to see thework they make with it. "

"Fish is no count, _I_ think, " said Ransom. "It's only good to catch. Ican stand a lobster salad, though. But I can't stand long withoutsomething. What's the use of waiting? They aren't coming back yondertill night. They haven't stirred yet. "

Ransom's eyes indicated the party on the island. And acting upon hisannounced opinion, Ransom, paid his respects in a practical form, not tocold chicken and bread, but to a dish of cream cakes which stoodconveniently near. And having eaten one, in three mouthfuls, hestretched out his hand and took another. Happily then some meringuesattracted his attention; and he stood with a cream cake in one hand anda meringue in the other, taking them alternately or both together. Themeringues began to disappear fast. Daisy warned him that the only dishof those delicacies in all the entertainment was the one into which hewas making such inroads. Ransom paid her no heed and helped himself toanother. 

"Ransom, that is not fair, " said his sister. "There are no more butthose, and you will have them all gone. Just look, now, how the dishlooks!"

"How the dish looks!" said Ransom mockingly. "None of your business. "

"It is not right. Don't Ransom!" Daisy said, as his hand was extendedfor a fourth meringue. 

"Want 'em for yourself?" said Ransom sneeringly. "I say, Alexander--here's a game! Here's something just fit for a man's luncheonin a summer day--something nice and light and nourishing. Here's a larkpie--I know what it is, for I saw Joanna making it. Now we'll have thisand be off. "

"You must not, Ransom, " Daisy urged anxiously. But Ransom seized the piefrom its place and proceeded to cut into it, seeing that nobody was nearto hinder him. 

"Ransom, you ought not to do it, " pleaded Daisy. "You ought to wait yourturn. You are worse than Fido. "

"Am I?" said Ransom fiercely. "Take that! Mind your own affairs, andlet mine alone. You are not queen here yet, if you think you are. "

A tolerably smart box on the ear was the accompaniment to this speech. Nobody was near. Alexander, after joining his friend in a meringue ortwo with a cream cake, not feeling quite comfortable in the connection, had moved off. So did Ransom now, but he carried his pie with him andcalled the other two boys to bear him company in making lunch of it. Preston was much too gentlemanly a fellow to take part even of a larkpie in such circumstances; he walked off in disdain, leaving Ransom andAlexander to do what they liked. And they liked the pie so well that Iam bound to say nothing of it remained very soon excepting the dish. Even the bones were swallowed by Fido. 

Daisy was left alone under the tree with her occupation gone; for Fidowas after the lark bones. Her ear rang a few minutes from theapplication of Ransom's hand; but that effect had passed off long beforeDaisy's mind was quieted. For gentle as she was, Daisy was a little ladywho had a very deep and particular sense of personal dignity; she feltwronged as well as hurt. Her father and mother never indulged in thatmethod of punishment; and if they had, Ransom's hand was certainly notanother one to inflict it. 

Daisy was quite as much stung by the insult as by the unkindness; butshe felt both. She felt both so much that she was greatly discomposed. Her watch over the feast was entirely forgotten; luckily Fido had goneoff with his master, and chickens were no longer in immediate danger. Daisy rubbed away first one tear and then another, feeling a sort ofbitter fire hot at her heart; and then she began to be dissatisfied atfinding herself so angry. This would not do; anger was something she hadno business with; how could she carry her Lord's message, or do anythingto serve him, in such a temper? It would not do; but there it was, offended dignity and pride, hot at her heart. Nobody would have thoughtperhaps that Daisy was proud; but you never can tell what is in aperson's heart till it is tried; and then the kinds of pride arevarious. It does not follow because you have none of one sort that youhave not plenty of another sort. However, finding this fire at her heartquite too much for her to manage, Daisy went away from herwatching-place; crept away among the trees without any one's observingher; till she had put some distance between her and the party, and founda further shelter from them in a big moss-grown rock and large tree. There was a bed of moss, soft and brown, on the other side of the rock;and there Daisy fell down on her knees and began to remember--"Thoutherefore endure hardship, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. "

CHAPTER V. 

Certainly the sun was very hot that day. The fishers on the island foundit so, notwithstanding that they had sought out every one for himselfthe shadiest, freshest nook that could be found. Nothing was fresh; andif the trees did hinder the sunshine from falling on some parts of theground, they kept off none of it from the water; and the glare from thatwas said to be unendurable. Even where there was not much glare strictlyspeaking; people were not particular in their speech that day. At lastthey voted that holding lines in the water was of no use; fish could notbe expected to leave their cool depths below to seek the sunny regionsnear the surface of the water; "they would be fools if they did, " one ofthe ladies remarked. Fish never were supposed to be very wise creatures, Mr. Sandford informed her; but nevertheless, it was resolved not toreckon upon their want of wisdom at this time, but to put up and go backto shore, and try what cold chicken would do. So just about the hourwhen the sun's work for the day verges towards the hottest, the littleboat was seen again stealing over the sunny surface of the lake, back towhere the tablecloth lay spread for the tired people. 

A little while before it reached that place, Dr. Sandford arrived uponthe scene. He locked a little warm in the face; but his white shootingcoat did not seem less affected by the state of the weather than thedoctor's temper. Mrs. Gary and Mrs. Fish he found sunk in somnolency atthe foot of the tree where they had been talking. The young ladies weresitting by the emptied hampers, deep in confab. The boys and Fido, overagainst the outspread feast, were arranging fishing tackle, and watchingthe return of the boat; with eyes of anticipation. To them came thedoctor. 

"Where is your sister, Ransom?"

"I don't know. " The tone meant, I don't care. 

"I do not see her anywhere. "

"No more do I, " said Ransom, without raising his eyes from his fishingline. 

"Where is she?"

"I told you, I don't know. "

"Did she go with the fishing party?"

"No sir; she was here when we came, " Alexander Fish spoke up. 

"Yes, I remember she was here, " said Preston. "I remember seeing her. She cannot be far off. It's hot enough to keep people from strayingfar. "

The doctor, being not absolutely satisfied with this reasoning, andhaving nothing better to do, occupied himself with a search after themissing Daisy. It lasted some time, and he was beginning to be not quiteeasy in his mind; when, being a sportsman, his eye detected something ata distance which was not moss nor stone. In two minutes the doctor cameup with it. It was Daisy, fast asleep on her moss bed behind the rock. Her head lay on her arm which was curled up under it; and profoundslumber had left the little pale face as serene as usual. The doctor waswarm by this time. He sat down on the moss beside her; and putting hisarm under Daisy's shoulders lifted her up, by way of waking her, speaking to her at the same moment. But to his amusement, Daisy nosooner got her eyes well open than she shook herself free of him, andsat as demure as possible opposite to him on the moss. 

"Dr. Sandford!--I believe--I got asleep, " she said in a bewildered kindof way. 

"How did you get _here_, Daisy?"

"I came here, sir. "

"What for did you come here?"

Daisy looked troubled; glanced at the doctors face, and then rested herhead on her hand. 

"Who has been vexing you now?" said he at haphazard. 

"I am not vexed, " said Daisy in the gentlest of all possible tones. 

"Tired?"

"I think I am tired. "

"Honour bright, Daisy!--has not some one been vexing you?"

"I ought not to have been vexed, " said Daisy slowly. 

"I will wager that you are wrong there, and that you ought to have beenvexed. Who was it, Daisy?"

"Never mind, please, Dr. Sandford! It is no matter at all now. "

She put her little hand confidingly in the doctor's as she spoke andlooked very earnest. He could not resist her. 

"I wish I had come sooner, " he said. "I shall be suspicious ofeverybody, Daisy. Come--you and I must go to dinner, or there will be ahue and cry after us. "

Indeed by this time the whole party were gathered, and in impatientexpectation that the dinner would make up to them in some degree for thevarious disappointments of the morning. All were gathered and hadarranged themselves conveniently upon the grass, around the feast whichwas spread out upon the tablecloth, before anybody knew that two oftheir number were wanting. The cry was just raised, "Where is thedoctor?"--when the doctor hove in sight with Daisy by his side. Everybody was placed already; and it was very natural that the doctorkeeping hold of Daisy's hand, led her with him to the spot that seemedto be left for his occupancy, and seated her there beside him. On theother side of Daisy was Mrs. Stanfield. She was very well satisfied withthis arrangement, seeing that her father was surrounded by people andbusy besides; and that Nora and Ella were with Alexander and Ransom. 

What a gay tableful they were! all talking and laughing, thougheverybody declared himself exceeded by the heat and bored by thefishing, and generally tired of everything but eating and drinking. Buticed champagne was now at the parched lips, and boned turkey and jelliedham were waiting attention, and a good time had come. It was some while, of course, before Daisy could be served. She waited, feeling very happyand amused; for a party of people taking a cold dinner out of doors donot look nor act exactly like the same people taking a hot dinner in thehouse. Daisy never dreamed that anybody was noticing _her_. She had adisagreeable surprise. 

"Daisy, " said Mrs. Randolph from a little distance, and across severalpeople, --"Daisy, what did you do that for?"

"Mamma!"--said Daisy. "What, mamma?"

"Have you a headache?"

"O no, mamma. "

"What did you put up your hand to your brow for?"

"Mamma?"--said Daisy, very much bewildered. For she knew nothing was thematter, and she could not guess what her mother was thinking of. Moreover, somehow, Mrs. Randolph's words or manner had acted to stop thevoices of all the company in her neighbourhood; and everybody waswaiting and looking to see what the subject of interest might be. Mrs. Randolph's words could come now with their usual calm distinctness; andDaisy's answers, no matter how softly spoken, could be well heard. In agood deal of wonder Daisy repeated, "Mamma?"

"You put up your hand and sat with your eyes covered--did you not, just now?"

"Yes, mamma. "--No need to bid anybody look and listen now; the rosyflush that had spread itself all over Daisy's pale cheeks sufficientlyaroused curiosity. 

"I notice that you do so before every meal--is it not the case?"

"Yes, mamma. "

Dr. Sandford could hear the caught breath. He did not look, except by aglance, but he listened. 

"What does that mean, Daisy?"

"Mamma?"--said the child in distress. 

"I ask you, what that means? what is it for?"

"Mamma--may I come round there and speak to you?"

"Certainly not. Sit still in your place and answer. "

But Daisy was silent, very flushed. 

"Do you hear, Daisy? what does that action mean? I wish to know. "

"Mamma, may I speak to you in private and tell you?"

"Are you ashamed of it? are you ashamed to tell me?"

"No, mamma. "

"Then do it at once. "

But everybody waited in vain to hear the answer. It did not come. 

"I shall not ask you again, Daisy. "

"Mamma, " said the child low and modestly, but with steadiness, --"I waspraying. "

"Praying! were you! Why do you choose that particular time for yourprivate devotions?"

It was almost too much. The tears started in Daisy's eyes; but presentlyshe answered, --"Because God is good to us, mamma. "

"He is always good, " said Mrs. Randolph. "That is a very silly practiceof yours, Daisy, and very unbecoming. There is a proper way of doingeverything. "

The lady's manner said that the subject was dismissed, and her guestsreturned to their ordinary conversation. Except the doctor and Daisy. She was overwhelmed, and he was gravely unsocial. 

Was it silly?--that bound her heart had made up to the feet of her King?That joyful thanksgiving, and expression of love, and pledge ofobedience, and prayer for help? It was something better than the mealoften to Daisy; something sweeter and happier. Was it silly? and mustshe do so no more except when she was alone?

Daisy had quite forgotten that eating and drinking was part of thepresent matter in hand, when Dr. Sandford softly asked her what shewould like to have. Daisy said anything he pleased; not caring herself, and indeed in too much confusion of mind yet to know or think about thebusiness. And her appetite was gone. Dr. Sandford provided for her withkind care, what she liked too; but nothing was good to Daisy. She brokebread and swallowed milk mechanically; the more substantial food sherefused utterly. Bread and milk and grapes were Daisy's dinner. 

"It's good to be somebody's favourite, " Ransom said to her after themeal was over. "Nobody got any grapes but you. "

"Nobody? Why Ransom, I thought everybody had them. "

"_I_ didn't, --nor Preston, nor Alexander--not a berry; and Nora and EllaStanfield didn't. You are the favourite. "

"O Nora, " said Daisy, "didn't you have any grapes? I'm sorry!"

"I had peaches, " said Nora. "I like peaches a great deal the best. Daisy, what shall we do now?"

"Suppose we sit down and have a talk. "

"A talk?" said Nora. "Suppose we have a game of hide and seek? It's sucha good place. "

"Or forfeits?" said Ella. "It is too hot to play hide and seek. "

"I don't think it is hot, " said Nora. "The sun don't shine now. "

"Daisy, don't you want to go out with me in the boat?" said Prestoncoming up. "We'll get in the shade, and see if you can catch a pickerelas well as you did a trout. "

"O I should like that!" said Daisy eagerly. She saw the kindness ofPreston's meaning. He wanted to make her forget her vexations. 

"And may we go too?" Nora asked. 

"Certainly; but Daisy and I are going to do the fishing. You must becontent to look on. We will go round to the other side of the island, Daisy; it is pretty there, I know. And we shall have a better chance forthe pickerel, for the sun is gone under a cloud. "

So the sun had; but at that very moment the cloud passed off and thebrilliant hot beams fell with what seemed renewed brilliancy on thelake, and on all the ground which they could touch. 

"It will go under again, " said Preston. "We do not mind trifles. Come, Daisy. "

"Daisy, you must not go, " said Dr. Sandford looking round. He was justmoving away to see some one else, and was gone in a minute. 

"The doctor is all very well when one is sick, " said Preston; "but Inever heard he had a right to command people when they are well. Daisy, we will not mind him. "

"I must, " said Daisy, meekly. "But you can go without me, if you wantto. "

"Nonsense, dear little Daisy! you are not obliged to do what _everybody_says, " her cousin urged. "Dr. Sandford has no more business to say whatyou shall do than what I shall do. I will not let him rule you so. Come!we will go try for the pickerel. Go, Nora and Ella, run away with thebaskets to the boat. Come, Daisy, come!"

"No, Preston, I cannot. "

"Because of what that stupid man says? or don't you want to go!"

"I would like to go very much, thank you, Preston. "

"Then you shall!"

"No. I cannot. "

"Daisy, you might as well obey me as Dr. Sandford. "

"I do not think so. "

"Nora and Ella are going. You will be left alone. "

"I hope you will catch some pickerel, " said Daisy steadily. 

But Preston was vexed. He did not like it that his word should not haveas much weight with his little cousin as any other person's, after herfather and mother. Like other boys, and men, for the most part, he wasfond of having his own way even in little things; though he sought it ina polite fashion. And Daisy was very fond of him, and always followedhis lead; but now he could not move her. He went off at a bound, andsoon was out upon the water, with the girls and Alexander and Ransomalso who had joined him. 

Daisy would have liked the shelter of her mossy hiding-place again. Shestood in the shade of a tree looking after the boat; feeling very muchleft alone and greatly disposed to have a good crying time; but that wasnot her way of meeting trouble. What a strange day of pleasure thisSilver Lake business had turned out! Yet Daisy had enjoyed many thingsin it; but her mother's attack upon her at luncheon had sobered hercompletely. It was such a sign of what she might expect. Daisy presentlyfell to considering what she should do; and then remembered her oldrefuge, prayer; and then concluded that she was a very happy little girlafter all. And instead of being hurt that Nora had been with her solittle that day, it was very natural, Daisy said to herself. Of course, Nora wanted to go in the boat with Preston after fish; it was too goodan opportunity to be lost; and of course she had liked to walk in themorning with the larger and gayer party. It was all right, Daisydecided, although not what she herself would have done in thecircumstances. Would her note to her father have been reckoned "silly"too? Very likely. Daisy turned her wistful eyes to where he was; sittingin a group of ladies and gentlemen, talking. Daisy could not go to him. Further along, Mrs. Gary was fighting the heat under a tree by herself. No attraction there. Still further--the doctor was standing talking tothe two young ladies. As Daisy looked, he quitted them and came towardsher. 

"Have I spoiled all your pleasure, Daisy?"

"No, sir. "

"Are you angry with me?"

The answer this time was given with such an affectionate bright smilethat the doctor must have been hard not to feel it. 

"You do not seem to have much pleasure on hand just now, " said he;"would you like to take a little walk with me, and see if we can findany wonderful things?"

Daisy's face was quite answer enough, it was so full of content. Thedoctor had no intention to tire her; be strolled along the borders ofthe lake, which was wild and lovely all the more as they got furtheraway from the pic-nic ground. Firs and oaks stood thick all along, withmany other trees also; the ground was carpeted with layers of moss;great rocks rose up by the water's edge, grey and brown with lichens. Itwas not so hot now. The sun's glare was shielded off. On a mossy carpetbeside the water's edge the doctor and Daisy sat down. Undoubtedly thedoctor had never taken so much trouble with a child before; but Daisywas a study to him. 

"We do not find the wonderful things, Daisy, " he remarked, throwinghimself back upon the moss with his hands under his head. His cap felloff; his blue eyes looked at her with a sort of contented laziness;never sleepily. Daisy smiled at him. 

"I do, " she said. 

"You do! What have you found!"

"I think everything is wonderful. "

"A profound truth, " said the doctor; "but you are very young to find itout. Instance, Daisy. "

"But you want to go to sleep, sir. "

"How dare you say so? No, I don't. I want to have a talk with you aboutsomething wonderful. "

Daisy thought he looked a little sleepy, for his eyelids drooped wellover his eyes; nevertheless the eyes saw keenly enough the start ofpleasure into hers. And they had seen the pale, subdued look of the facethat it had worn before. Nevertheless, in spite of that start, Daisyremained as quiet as a mouse, looking at him. 

"Don't you think I can talk while I am enjoying myself in this fashion?"said the doctor. 

"I think you can talk any way, " said Daisy; "but you _look_ a great dealmore like sleeping, sir. "

"None of that. Go on, Daisy. Only do not say anything about the sun, nowthat it has gone under a cloud. Let us forget it for a little while. "

"What shall I take, then?"

"I don't care. Something green and refreshing. "

Daisy looked around her. On every side she saw things that she had nodoubt would be very interesting to talk about; she did not know which tochoose. There were the trees; the firs and hemlocks, and the oaks andmaples, growing thick on every hand. No doubt those beautiful structureshad uses and characters of wonder; she had a great mind to ask thedoctor to tell her about them. But the great boulder beside which theywere hid from view, divided her attention; it was very large, androunded off on all sides, lying quietly on the ground; and Daisy wascurious to know how it came to be so grown over with green things;mosses and ferns draped it all over; how could they grow on the barerock?

"Well, Daisy?" said her friend, watching how Daisy's countenance woke upfrom its subdued expression. 

"Dr. Sandford, how could these things grow on the rock? these greenthings?"

"What green things?"

"Why, ever so many sorts. Here is moss, a great deal of it, of differentkinds; and there is beautiful brake at the top, like plumes of feathers. How can they grow there?"

"Why not?"

"I thought everything wanted some earth to grow in. "

"Have they none?"

"I don't know. I thought not. They must have very little indeed, Dr. Sandford. "

"Very little will do, I suppose. "

"But I do not see how _any_ earth got there, " said Daisy. "It was only abare rock at first, of course. "

"At first, " repeated the doctor. "Well, Daisy, I suppose it was no more. But there is something else growing there, which you have not spokenof. "

"Is there?" said Daisy. "I do not see anything else. "

"Pardon me--you do see it. "

"Then I do not know what it is, " said Daisy laughing. Absolutely, thesober, sober little face had forgotten its care, and the eyes werealight with intelligence and curiosity, and the lips were unbent in goodhonest laughter. The doctor raised himself up to a sitting posture. 

"What do you call those grey and brown patches of colour that hide yourrock all over?"

"Grey and brown?" said Daisy wistfully--"those are just the colours ofthe rock, aren't they?"

"No. Look close. "

"Why, Dr. Sandford, what is it? It is not the rock--some of it isnot--but here is a spot of yellow that is nothing else, I think. "

"You must learn not to trust your eyes, Daisy. That is something thatgrows; it is not rock; it is a vegetable. If I had my pocket lens hereI would shew you; but I am afraid--yes, I have left it at home. "

"Why it is!" cried Daisy. "I can see now--it is _not_ rock. What is it, Dr. Sandford?"

"Lichen. "

"What is that, sir?"

"It is one of the lowest forms of vegetable life. It is the first dressthe rocks wear, Daisy. "

"But what does it live on?"

"Air and water, I suppose. "

"I never knew that was a vegetable, " said Daisy musingly. "I thought itwas the colour of the rock. "

"That goes to prepare soil for the mosses, Daisy. "

"O how, Dr. Sandford?"

"In time the surface of the rock is crumbled a little by its action;then its own decay furnishes a very little addition to that. Infavourable situations a stray oak leaf or two falls and lies there, andalso decays, and by and by there is a little coating of soil or a littlelodgment of it in a crevice or cavity, enough for the flying spores ofsome moss to take root and find home. "

"And then the moss decays and makes soil for the ferns?"

"I suppose so. "

Daisy stood looking with a countenance of delighted intelligence at thegreat boulder, which was now to her a representative and witness ofnatural processes she had had no knowledge of before. The mosses, thebrakes, the lichen, had all gained new beauty and interest in her eyes. The doctor watched her and then scrambled up to his feet and came to herside. 

"Look here, Daisy, " said he, stooping down at the foot of the rock andshewing her where tufts of a delicate little green plant clustered, bearing little umbrella-like heads on tiny shafts of handles. 

"What is that Dr. Sandford?"

"Something wonderful. "

"Is it? It is pretty. What is it, sir?"

[Illustration]

"It is a plant somewhere between the mosses and the lichens in itscharacter--it is one of the liverworts, and they are some of the firstplants to go in advance of superior vegetation. This is called_Marchantia_. "

"And is it wonderful, Dr. Sandford?"

"If I could shew it to you, you would think so. Look here, Daisy--on thesurface of this leaf do you see little raised spots here and there?"

"Yes, I see them. "

"Those are, when they are finished, little baskets. "

"Baskets?" exclaimed Daisy delightedly. "I can't see anything like abasket now. "

"No, it is too small for you to see; you must take it on my word, whohave seen it. They are baskets, and such baskets as you never dreamedof. The shape is elegant, and round the edge, Daisy, they are cut into afringe of teeth, and each tooth is cut again into teeth, making a fringearound _its_ tiny edge. "

"I wish I could see it, " said Daisy. 

"Now if you were my little sister, and lived with me, I could shew youthese things in the evenings. "

Daisy responded to this with a very grateful and somewhat wistful smile, but immediately went on with the business in hand. 

"Do these little baskets hold anything, Dr. Sandford"

"Yes. Baskets are always made to hold something. "

"What do they hold?"

"They hold what are called _spores_; that is, little bits of thingswhich, whenever they get a chance, begin to grow and make new plants. "

"Seeds?" said Daisy. 

"They answer the purpose of seeds. "

"How do they get out of the basket? do the winds blow them out?"

"Or the rain washes them out. If they lie long enough in the basket, they will take root there, and then there is a new plant seen growingout of the old one. "

"How wonderful it is!" said Daisy. 

"There is another wonder about it. It does not matter which way theselittle spores lie on the ground or in the basket; but the side thathappens to be exposed to the light, after a time, prepares itself toexpand into the surface of a frond, while the dark side sends down atiny root. "

"And it does not matter which side lies uppermost?"

"No, not in the beginning. "

"What is a _frond_, Dr. Sandford?"

"This sort of seed-bearing leaf is called so. "

"How pretty it is!" said Daisy. "What are these little things likeumbrellas?"

"These carry the real seed vessels of the plant. "

"Other seeds. Dr. Sandford, is _everything_ wonderful?"

"What do you think about it?"

"I do not know but a very little, " said Daisy; "but I never should havethought this little green moss--or what did you say it was?"

"Liverwort. Its name is Marchantia. "

"This liverwort; I never should have supposed it was anything butpretty, and of course good for something; but now I never heard anythingso wonderful. "

"More than the sun?" said Dr. Sandford smiling. 

"It is more surprising, I think, " said Daisy. 

"Pray, what makes you conclude so securely that this little Marchantiais _good for something_?"

Daisy gave him a quick look of wisdom and suspicion mingled. The doctorwas getting a very good amusement himself, and quite entered into thematter. He waited for Daisy's answer. It came diplomatically. 

"_Isn't_ everything good for something, sir?"

"'Pon my word, I don't know, " said the doctor. "My enquiry was for thegrounds of your opinion, Daisy. "

"It was not an opinion. I do not think I am old enough to have anopinion. "

"What was it, Daisy?"

The doctor was still crouching down by the side of the rock examiningcarelessly whatever he found there. Daisy looked at him and waited, andfelt at last that good manners required her to speak. 

"You said, sir, that baskets were made to hold something. "

"So your remark was an inference from mine?"

"No, sir. "

"Go on, Daisy. "

"I only said it, sir, because I knew it was true. "

There was an odd contrast between the extreme modesty of Daisy's mannerand the positiveness of her words. 

"It is said to be a great philosophical truth, Daisy; but what I want toknow is how you, not being a philosopher, have got such firm hold ofit?"

He faced Daisy now, and she gave way as usual before the searching blueeyes. One soft look, and her eyes fell away. 

"I only thought it. Dr. Sandford, because in the beginning--when God hadmade everything--the Bible says he saw that it was all good. "

"Daisy, how came you to be such a lover of the Bible?"

Daisy did not speak at once, and when she did it was a departure fromthe subject. 

"Dr. Sandford, I felt a drop of rain on my face!"

"And here is another, " said the doctor getting up. "This is what I haveexpected all day. Come, Daisy--you must be off in your chaise-à-porteurswithout delay. "

"But Nora, and Ella, and the boys!--they are away off on the lake. "

"They will scuttle home now, " said the doctor, "but I have nothing to dowith them. You are my business, Daisy. "

Accordingly he carried her back to the lunching place, not indeed in hisarms, but with a strong hand that made her progress over the stones andmoss very rapid, and that gave her a great flying leap whenever occasionwas, over any obstacle that happened to be in the way. There was needenough for haste. The light veil of haze that had seemed to curtain offthe sunlight so happily from the lake and the party, proved now to havebeen only the advancing soft border of an immense thick cloud coming upfrom the west. No light veil now; a deep, dark covering was over theface of the sky, without break or fold; the drop or two of rain that hadbeen felt were merely the outriders of an approaching storm. Lowthreatening, distant mutterings of thunder from behind the mountains, told the party what they might expect before long. 

There was sudden confusion. Nobody wanted to be out in the storm, and toavoid it seemed a difficult problem. Hastily the ladies caught up theirscarfs and bags, and set off upon a scattering flight through the woodsto the shore, those who were nearest or first ready not stopping to waitfor the others. Quickly the luncheon ground was deserted; fast the blueand white flutter of muslins disappeared in the enveloping woods;hastily the remainder of the packing went on to get the hampers again inreadiness to move. In the midst of all this, who was to carry Daisy'schair?

"You say there is a house somewhere on the way, " said Mr. Randolph tothe doctor. "If you will go forward with Daisy at once, I will stay tolook after those children in the boat. They are coming now as fast asthey can. "

"Can you carry my gun?"

"Certainly. Doctor, I will take that office, if you will stay behindtill the boat gets to land. "

"Thank you--it is better arranged the other way. The storm will be uponus before the ladies get to the shore, I fear. "

"Then they had better take the other route. "

Mr. Randolph in haste despatched one of the men to recall the fleeingmembers of the party, and bring them, round by the other road to thehouse. But before that, the doctor had put Daisy in her chair, and withLogan at the other end of it had set off to reach shelter. It grew verydark; and it was sultrily still in the woods. Not a leaf trembled on itsstem. The steps of the two chair-bearers sounded ominously in the entirehush of everything. The gloom still deepened. The doctor and Logan withswift, steady strides carried the chair along at a goodly rate; not asit had come in the morning. In the midst of this, and after it had goneon some time in silence, Daisy twisted herself round to look at thedoctor and give him a smile. 

"You do not seem concerned, Daisy, in the view of getting wet?"

"Why no, " said Daisy twisting round, again, "it is nice. I am only sorryfor the people who are so frightened. "

"What is nice? getting wet?"

"O no, " said Daisy. "Maybe I shall not get wet--you go so fast. "

But at this moment there came a nearer growl of thunder, and the leavesin the tops of the trees rustled as if a breath had passed over them. Then were still. 

"Can you mend your pace, Logan?" said the doctor. 

"Ay, sir!"--came in the deep, cheery utterance of Logan's Scotch voice. 

"Hold fast, Daisy"--said the doctor; and the two chair-bearers changedtheir pace for a swinging trot. It was needful to hold on now indeed, for this gait jolted the chair a good deal; but it got over the ground, and Daisy found it excessively amusing. They passed the thick-standingtree stems in quick succession now; the rocks uprising from the side ofthe path were left behind one after another; they reached the sharp bendin the road; and keeping up the swinging trot with a steadiness whichshewed good wind on the part of both the chair-bearers, at last thelittle house where Sam had been left hove in view. Time it was; fulltime. One and another sough of the wind had bowed the tree-tops with atoken of what was coming; one and another bright flash of lightning hadillumined the woody wilderness; and now just as the chair stopped, dropsbegan to fall which seemed as large as cherry-stones, mingled with haila good deal larger. Their patter sounded on the leaves a minute or two;then ceased. 

"That will do, Logan, " said the doctor. "Bring the chair in undershelter if you can; and come in yourself. This will be a shower. " Andhe led Daisy into the house. 

If ever you saw a dark-looking place, that was the room into which thehouse door admitted them. Two little windows seemed at this instant tolet in the darkness rather than the light; they were not very clean, besides being small. A description which Daisy would have said appliedto the whole room. She stood still in the middle of the floor, notseeing any place to sit down, that she could make up her mind to take. The doctor went to the window. Logan took a chair. Sam was sittingdisconsolately in a corner. It was hard to say to what class of peoplethe house belonged; poor people they were of course; and things lookedas if they were simply living there because too poor to live anywhereelse. A slatternly woman stared at the intruders; a dirty child crawledover the hearth. Daisy could not endure to touch anything, except withthe soles of her shoes. So she stood upright in the middle of the floor;till the doctor turned round. 

"Daisy!--are you going to stand there till the shower is over?"

"Yes, sir, "--Daisy answered patiently. A smile curled the doctor's lips. He opened the door and lifted in the chair with its long poles, whichindeed half filled the little room; but Daisy sat down. The woman lookedon in astonishment. 

"Be she weakly, like?" she asked at length of the doctor. 

"Has been--" he answered. 

"And what be that thing for?"

"It is for going up and down mountains. "

"Have you come from the mountings!" she asked in great surprise. Thedoctor was in for it. He was obliged to explain. Meanwhile the darknesscontinued and the rain did not yet fall. A breath of wind now and thenbrushed heavily past the house, and sunk into silence. The minutespassed. 

"It will be a happiness if they get here before it begins, " said Dr. Sandford; "it will come when it comes!"

"Be there _more_ comin'?" said the woman. 

"A houseful. We are only the beginning. "

She moved about now with somewhat of anxiety to get sundry things out ofthe way, which yet there seemed no other place for; a frying pan was setup in a corner; a broom took position by the fire place; a pail of waterwas lifted on the table; and divers knives and forks and plattershustled into a chimney cupboard. Little room enough when all was done. At last the woman caught up the sprawling baby and sat down with itopposite the broom, on the other side the fire, in one of the threechairs the place contained. Sam had another. Logan was on a box. Thewoman's eyes said, "Now I am ready to see all that comes. "

CHAPTER VI. 

It was some time first, and the rain still did not fall. It was veryblack, and flashes from distant lightning with mutterings of the thunderwere frequent and threatening; still no rain unless a few ominous drops. At last voices and fluttering muslins came down the road; the fluttercame near, and in poured a stream of gay people at the door of the poorlittle room. Gay as to their dress and attire, that is; for gayety wasnot to be found at present in their words and behaviour. The woman inthe chimney corner hugged up closer her dirty baby with the delight ofso unwonted a feast to her eyes. 

"Is there nothing better than _this_ to be had?" said Mrs. Fish. And hertone was indescribable. 

"How long have we got to remain here, doctor?" said a more cheery voice. 

"Mrs. Stanfield, until the rain has come, and gone. "

"It would be better to be out in it, " whispered Theresa to her mother. 

"My love, there is no other shelter on this side the river. "

"There will not be standing room for us all presently--" said EloïseGary. 

Pretty nearly so; for when the second detachment of the party arrived, in a minute more, people looked at each other across a throng of heads. They got in; that was all. To sit down or to move much was out of thequestion. 

"Daisy, you can't have this big chair of yours in here, " said Ransom inan energetic whisper. "Don't you see there is no room for it?"

Daisy saw there was very little. She got up patiently and stood, thoughfeeling very tired; while her chair was got out of the door with a gooddeal of difficulty. 

"Are you tired, my darling?" said her father bending down to the palelittle face. 

"A little, papa, " said Daisy sighing. 

No more words, but Mr. Randolph lifted Daisy in his arms and gave her aresting place there. Daisy was afraid she was too heavy for him, but itwas very comfortable to sit there, with her arm on his shoulder. Herface looked its content; the only face in which such an expression couldbe seen at present; though the gentlemen took the thing coolly, and Mr. Randolph and the two Sandfords looked as usual. But now the delayedstorm drew near. The thunder notified with every burst the fact that itwas coming speedily; the lightning became vivid and constant. Apremonitory sweep of the wind--and the clouds gave out their treasuresof rain and hail with tremendous fury. The lightning was terrible now, and the darkness of the intervals between so great that the companycould scarcely see each other's faces. This was more than some of theparty had bargained for, and there was a degree of confusion. Screamsfrom a few of the ladies and exclamations of terror from others weremixed now and then with words that sounded very like an oath to Daisy'sear, though they were not spoken in levity. She bent her head round tolook in the face of the lady who had last used them, as if to assureherself what was meant; and then her head went down on Mr. Randolph'sshoulder and her face was hidden. 

"Daisy--" whispered her father. 

"Yes, papa. "

"Are you afraid?"

"No, papa--not for myself. "

"What? Look up here, Daisy. "

She lifted her face; it was wistful and troubled. 

"Are you concerned about the storm, my darling?"

"No, papa; not myself. "

"How then, Daisy?"

She shuddered. "Papa, I wish they would not scream so!"

"Why does that trouble _you_?" said Mr. Randolph smiling. 

But Daisy's face was unutterably grave, as a new brilliant band offorked lightning glittered outside the windows, and the burst of thethunderbolt sounded as if at their very feet, making a renewal of thesame cries and exclamations. 

"Why does it trouble you, Daisy?" said Mr. Randolph soothingly, feelingthe quiver of the child's frame. 

"Papa, " said Daisy with intense expression, --"they do not loveJesus!"--And her head went down again to be hid on her father'sshoulder. 

Mr. Randolph did nothing to bring it up again; and Daisy lay quitestill, while the storm raged in full fury, and the screams andejaculations of the ladies were joined now and then by a word ofimpatience from one of the gentlemen, or a "Hech, sirs!" in Logan'ssmothered Scotch brogue. Once Mr. Randolph felt Daisy's lips pressedagainst his face, and then her other arm came round his neck andnestling there closely she was after that as still as a mouse. The stormlasted a long time. The lightning and thunder at last removed theirviolence some distance off; then the wind and the rain did their part, which they had not fully done before. And all the while the poor partyof pleasure sat or stood as thick as bees in a hive, in the miserableshelter of the cottage. Miserable yet welcome. Very tired and impatientthe people became as they grew less frightened. Daisy had long been fastasleep. The day waned and drew near its ending. When sunset was, nobodycould tell by the light; but that night was at hand was at last evidentfrom the darkness. 

"Your arms must be weary, Mr. Randolph, " said Dr. Sandford. "Let merelieve you of your burden. "

"I cannot let you do that. "

"I will, " said the doctor. "Daisy being my charge as well as yours, gives me a right. " And the transfer was actually made before Daisy wasaware of it. She waked up however, with a feeling of some change and adoubt upon her mind as to what custody she was in; but she was not sure, till the woman of the house lit a miserable dip candle, which threw alight that mocked the darkness over the weary company. Daisy did notlike the arrangement at all. 

"Dr. Sandford!" she exclaimed. "I shall tire you. Please put me on thefloor and let me stand. "

"No--you cannot, " said the doctor decidedly. "Be a good child, Daisy. Lay your head down and go to sleep again. "

And greatly to Daisy's astonishment the doctor's moustache brushed herlip. Now Daisy had always thought to herself that she would never allowanybody that wore a moustache to kiss her; here it was done, withoutleave asked; and if the doctor was so independent of rules as that, shethought she had best not provoke him. Besides, she remembered that herfather must be tired with carrying her so long; and moreover, if Dr. Sandford liked her well enough to kiss her, maybe he would not care forthe trouble of holding her for a while. At any rate Daisy submittedpeaceably to the necessity; put her arm over the doctor's shoulder tosupport herself and laid her head down; though not to sleep. She watchedeverything that was going on now. What a roomful of weary and impatientpeople they were! packed like cattle in a pen, for closeness; and howthe rain poured and beat outside the house! The shelter was something tobe thankful for, and yet how unthankful everybody looked. Some of thegentlemen shewed calm fortitude under their trials; but the poor ladies'chagrined faces said that days of pleasure were misnamed. Alexander Fishhad gone to sleep; Ransom looked cross; Preston as usual gentlemanly, though bored. From one to another Daisy's eye roved. Nora and Ella weresitting on the table; in full confab. Other people were sitting theretoo; the table was full. 

"The storm is slackening--" Mr. Randolph remarked to the doctor. 

"It will be over in a little while more. "

"What do you think of it, Daisy?" said her father noticing her look. 

"Of what, papa?"

"Parties of pleasure in general. "

"Papa, --I have had a very nice time. "

"You have had a nice sleep, " said her father laughing; "and that coloursyour views of things. The rest of us have not had that advantage. "

"Daisy, I am surprised to hear you say what you do, " the doctor remarkedas Mr. Randolph turned away. He spoke softly. 

"Why, sir?"

"I thought your day had not been altogether agreeable?"

"Do you think anything is apt to be _altogether_ agreeable, Dr. Sandford?" Daisy said, with a demure waiving of the subject which wasworthy of much older years. The quaintness of this remark was infinite. 

"What has been the agreeableness to-day, for instance?"

"O, a great deal; my ride in the chair, --that was nice! and all _our_walk, and what you were telling me; and coming over the river--" Daisypaused. 

"And what do you think of being carried in the arms of gentlemen, " saidMrs. Gary, who had overheard a few words, --"while other little girlshave to get along as they can? as tired as you are, I dare say. "

"I cannot help it, aunt Gary, " said Daisy. But the remark served tojustify her view of things; for what had in truth been altogetheragreeable up to that minute was so no longer. Daisy was uneasy. 

"Dr. Sandford, " she whispered after a few moments, --"I am rested--I canstand now. I am tiring you. Please set me down. "

"No. Be quiet, Daisy, " said her friend peremptorily. And as the littlehead went down again obediently on his shoulder, he gave again a gentlekiss to her lips. Daisy did not mind Mrs. Gary after that. 

The storm slackened off now rapidly. The patter of the rain lessened andgrew still; a sweet reviving air blew in at the windows. Of course theroad was drenched with wet and every tree dripping; nevertheless thejourney must be made to the boats, and the poor ladies were even glad toset out to undertake it. But it would not be an easy journey either, onthe whole. Some time before this the doctor had despatched Logan on anerrand. He now declared he must wait for his return; and desired Mr. Randolph to go forward and help take care of the rest of the party andhave no concern about Daisy; he would keep her in charge. 

"Shall I do that, Daisy?" said Mr. Randolph, fearing it might troubleher. But Daisy said, "Yes, papa"--with no hesitation; and the plan wasacted upon. Gathering up their floating muslin dresses, tyinghandkerchiefs over their heads, with shrinking and yet eager steps, oneby one they filed out at the door of the little hut. Just as the lastone went, Logan came; he had been to the boats and brought thence thedoctor's cloak, which, with more providence than the rest of the partywho were less used to travelling, he had taken the precaution to bring. Now this, by the doctor's order, was spread over Daisy's chair, whichhaving been pushed out of doors, had got wet; she was placed in itthen, and the folds of the cloak brought well round and over her, sothat nothing could be more secure than she was from the wet with whichevery leaf and bough was dripping overhead, and every foot of soilloaded underneath. Dr. Sandford took one end of the poles and Logan theother, and the last of the party they set forth. Why Dr. Sandford hadmade this arrangement, was best known to himself. Perhaps he preferredit to having Mrs. Fish on his arm, who was a very fine lady; perhaps hepreferred it to the attentions he might have had to pay to the youngerdamsels of the party, who would all three have been on his hands atonce, very likely. At all events he did prefer to be one of thechair-bearers, and Daisy was very glad of it. 

The rest of the party were well in advance, out of sight and hearing. Tramp, tramp, the steady regular footfall of her bearers, and the lightplashing of rain drops as they fell, and the stir of the wind in theleaves, were all the sounds that Daisy heard. No rain fell now; on thecontrary the heaven was clear as a bell, and light enough came throughthe woods to shew the way with comfortable certainty. Overhead the starswere shining down with wonderful brilliancy, through the air which thestorm had cleansed from all vapours; the moon was coming up somewhere, too. The smell of the trees and other green things was exceedingly sweetafter the rain; and the delicious soft air was very delicious after thesultry day. Never in her life after did Daisy forget that night's work. This ride from the cottage to the shore was something she enjoyed withall her might. It was so wild and strange as well as sweet. Rocks andtree trunks, and the turnings of the road had all such a mysterious newlook, different from what daylight shewed them; it was an endlesspleasure. Till the walk ended. It came out at last upon the shore of theriver and into the moonlight. High in the eastern sky the moon hung, shedding her broad light down all over the river which crisped andsparkled under it; and there by the water's edge the members of theparty of pleasure were huddled together preparing to embark. Over theirheads the sails of Mr. Randolph's boat stood up in the moonlight. Thedoctor and Logan set down their burden and waited. The Fish's weregetting on board their little vessel, which was moved by oars alone. 

"Mrs. Stanfield, you had better come with us, " Mr. Randolph said. "Thereis plenty of room. Your boat is too small. You would find itunpleasantly rough in mid-channel. "

"O, is it rough?" exclaimed the lady. 

"For your little row-boat--I am afraid you would find it so. The windhas roughened the water considerably, and it has not had time to getquiet. Come with us, and we will all take supper together at Melbourne. "

It was arranged so. The party were stowed away in the large sail-boat, which held them all well enough; the children being happy at findingthemselves seated together. 

"What are we waiting for?" said Mrs. Gary when all had been in theirplaces some minutes, and conversation was the only thing moving. "Whatare we staying here for?"

"Sam. "

"Where's Sam?"

"He is yonder--in our late place of shelter. James and Michael have goneto fetch him with Daisy's chair. "

"Sam! Why, he might have stayed there till to-morrow and no hurt. Havewe got to wait till the men go there and bring him back? We shall belate at supper!"

"The river will be all the quieter, Mrs. Gary, " said Mr. Randolphmischievously. 

"The river? You don't mean to say it is not quiet?"

"It was not, quiet a while ago, I assure you. "

"Well, I do think, if ever there was a misnamed thing, it is a party ofpleasure, " said the lady disconsolately. 

"They are very pleasant when they are over, sister Gary, " said Mr. Randolph. 

"Daisy, " Nora whispered, "are you afraid?"

"No. "

"Your father says it is rough. "

"He knows how to manage the boat, " said Daisy. 

"It isn't rough, I don't believe, " said Ella Stanfield. "It isn't roughnow. "

"I wish we were at the other side, " said Nora. 

"O Nora, I think it is nice, " said Daisy. "How bright the moonlight is!Look--all over the river there is a broad strip. I hope we shall sailalong just in that strip. Isn't it wonderful, Nora?"

"No. What?" said Nora. 

"That there should be something like a looking-glass up in the sky tocatch the sunlight and reflect it down to us when we cannot see the sunitself. "

"What looking-glass?"

"Well, the moon catches the sunlight just so, as a looking glass would. "

"How do you know, Daisy? _I_ think it shines. "

"I know because I have been told. It does not shine, any more than alooking-glass. "

"Who told you?"

"Dr. Sandford, " Daisy whispered. 

"Did he! Then why don't we have the moon every night?"

"Because the looking-glass, if you can imagine that it is alooking-glass, does not always hang where it can catch the sun. "

"Don't it? I don't like to think it is a looking-glass, " said Nora. "Iwould a great deal rather think it is the moon. "

"Well, so it is, " said Daisy. "You can think so. "

"Daisy, what should we do if it should be rough in the middle of theriver?"

"_I_ like it, " said Ella Stanfield. 

"Perhaps it will not be very rough, " said Daisy. 

"But suppose it should? And where the moon don't shine it is so dark!"

"Nora, " said Daisy very low, "don't you love Jesus?"

Nora at that flounced round, and turning her face from Daisy and themoonlight, began to talk to Ella Stanfield on the other side of her. Daisy did not understand what it meant. 

All this while, and a good while longer, the rest of the people werewaiting with various degrees of patience and impatience for the comingof Sam and the men. It was pretty there by the shore, if they had notbeen impatient. The evening breeze was exceedingly fragrant and fresh;the light which streamed down from the moon was sparkling on all thesurface of the water, and laid a broad band of illumination like acauseway across the river. In one or two places the light shewed thesails of a sloop or schooner on her way up or down; and along the shoreit grew daintily hazy and soft. But impatience was nevertheless theprominent feeling on board the sail-boat; and it had good time todisplay itself before Michael and James could go all the distance backto the house and bring Sam away from it. 

"Here he is!" "There they are at last!"--were the words of hail withwhich their appearance was greeted. "Now off"--and with all haste thethree were received on board and the vessel pushed out into the stream. Immediately her sail caught the breeze which came fair down the river, and careening a little as she took it, her head began to make good speedacross the causeway of moonlight. But then the ladies began to scream;for in mid-channel the wind was fresh and the waters had not quiteforgotten yet the tumult of the late storm, which had tossed them well. The sail-boat danced bravely, up and down, going across the waves. Amongthe frightened people was Nora, who grasping Daisy's dress with onehand and some part of the boat with the other, kept uttering littlecries of "Oh Daisy"--"Oh! Daisy"--with every fresh lurch of the vessel. Ella Stanfield had thrown herself down in her mother's lap. Daisy wasvery much tried. 

"Nora, " she said, "I wish you would not cry so!"

"But I am afraid!"

"I wish you would be comforted, and not cry out so, " sighed Daisy. "Papasays there is no danger--didn't you hear him?"

"But oh, I am afraid!" re-echoed Nora. 

Daisy folded her hands and tried to bide patiently the time of smoothwater. It came, partially at least, as they neared the opposite bank. The boat went steadily; spirits revived; and soon the passage wasbrought to an end and the sail-boat laid alongside the little jetty, onwhich the party, men, women and children, stepped out with as sincere afeeling of pleasure as had moved them all day. Carriages were inwaiting; a few minutes brought the whole company to Melbourne House. 

Here they were to stay supper; and the ladies and gentlemen dispersed tovarious dressing rooms to prepare for it. Soonest of all ready and inthe drawing room were the three children. 

"I am so hungry!" said Nora. 

"So am I!" said Ella Stanfield. 

"We shall have supper presently, " said Daisy. 

"O Daisy, weren't you afraid in the boat, when it went up and down so?"

"I do not think I was afraid, " said Daisy, "if other people had not beenso disturbed. "

"I don't see how they could help being disturbed, " said Ella Stanfield. "Why the boat didn't sail straight at all. "

"But _that_ does not do any harm, " said Daisy. 

"How do you know?" said Nora. "_I_ think it does harm; I do not think itis safe. "

"But you know, Nora, when the disciples were in the boat, and thought itwas not safe--the wind blew so, you know--they ought to have trustedJesus and not been afraid. "

Nora and Ella both looked at Daisy for a minute after this speech, andthen by some train of association Nora started another subject. 

"Daisy, have you got my Egyptian spoon yet?"

Now was Daisy in a great difficulty. She flushed; the little face whichhad been pale enough before, became of a delicate pink hue all over. Notknowing what to say she said nothing. 

"Have you got it yet?" repeated Nora curiously. 

"No, Nora. I have not. "

"You have _not_? What have you done with it?"

"Nothing. "

"My Egyptian spoon! that Marmaduke gave me to give to you! You have notkept it! What did you do with it, Daisy?"

"I did nothing with it. "

"Did you break it?"

"No. "

"Did you give it away?"

"O Nora, I loved it very much, " said poor Daisy; "but I could not keepit. I could not!"

"Why couldn't you? I would not have given it to you, Daisy, if I hadthought you would not have kept it. "

"I wanted to keep it very much--but I could not, " said Daisy with thetears in her eyes. 

"Why 'could not'? why couldn't you? did you give it away, Daisy? thatspoon I gave you?"

"Nora, I could not help it! Somebody else wanted it very much, and I wasobliged to let her have it. I could not help it. "

"I shall tell Marmaduke that you did not care for it, " said Nora in anoffended tone. "I wish I had kept it myself. It was a beautiful spoon. "

Daisy looked very much troubled. 

"Who has got it?" Nora went on. 

"It is no matter who has got it, " said Daisy. "I couldn't keep it. "

"She is right, Nora, " said Preston, who came up just then, at the sametime with the doctor. "She could not keep it, because it was taken awayfrom her without any leave asked. I mean she shall have it back, too, one of these days. Don't you say another word to Daisy!--she has behavedlike a little angel about it. "

Preston's manner made an impression, as well as his words. Nora waschecked. 

"What is all that, Nora?" the doctor asked. 

Now Nora had a great awe of him. She did not dare not answer. 

"It is about a spoon I gave Daisy, that she gave away. "

"She did not, I tell you!" said Preston. 

"A spoon?" said the doctor. "Silver?"

"O no! A beautiful, old, very old, carved, queer old spoon, with aduck's bill, that came out of an old Egyptian tomb, and was put thereever so long ago. "

"Did your brother give it to you?"

"Yes, to give to Daisy, and she gave it to somebody else. "

"Nora, I did not give it as you think I did. I loved it very much. Iwould not have let anybody have it if I could have helped it. "

"Who has got it, Daisy?" asked the doctor. 

Daisy looked at him, looked perplexed, flushed a little, finally saidwith demure gentleness, "Dr. Sandford, I think I ought not to tell. "

The doctor smiled, took Daisy's hand, and led her off to the supperroom, whither they were now invited. So it happened that her seat at thetable was again by his side. Daisy liked it. Just then she did not careabout being with Nora. 

The people gathered, bright and fresh, around the supper table, allseeming to have forgotten their fatigues and frights; and every facelooked smiling or gracious. The day was over, the river was crossed; thepeople were hungry; and the most dainty and perfectly arranged supply ofrefreshments stood on the board. Coffee and tea steamed out theirgrateful announcements; ice cream stood in red and white pyramids offirmness; oysters and cold meats and lobster salad offered all thathungry people could desire; and everybody was in a peculiar state ofgratified content and expectation. Daisy was no exception. She had letslip her momentary trouble about the Egyptian spoon; and in her quietcorner, quite unnoticed as she thought, looked at the bright scene andenjoyed it. She liked being under the doctor's care too, and his care ofher was very thoughtful and kind. He did not forget the little quietmouse at his elbow; but after he had properly attended to the otherpeople whose claims came first, he served her nicely with whatever wasgood for her. Was Daisy going to omit her usual giving of thanks? Shethought of her mother's interference with a moment's flash of hesitancy;but resolved to go on just as usual. She did not think she would benoticed, everybody was so busy; and at any rate there was a burden ofgladness in her little heart that must speak. While the talking andlaughing and click of knives and forks was thick all around her, Daisy'slittle head bent in a moment's oblivion of it all behind her hand. 

She had raised her head and just taken her fork in her fingers when sheheard her own name. She looked up. 

"Daisy--" said her mother quietly--"come here. "

Daisy left her seat and went round to her mother's side. 

"You may go up stairs, " said Mrs. Randolph. 

"Mamma?"--

"Go--and remain till I send for you. "

Daisy slipped away quietly, before anybody could notice that she wasgone or going. Then slowly went up the stairs and along the passages toher own room. It was empty and dark, except for the moonlight without;June had not expected her to be there, and had not made preparation. Daisy went and kneeled down in her old place by her window; her eyesfilled as full of tears as they could hold. She bent her little head tobrush them away, but they came again. Daisy was faint and tired; shewanted her supper very much; and she had enjoyed the supper-table verymuch; it was a great mortification to exchange it for the gloom andsilence of her moonlit room. She had not a bit of strength to keep herspirits up. Daisy felt weak. And what was the matter? Only--that shehad, against her mother's pleasure, repeated her acknowledgment of thehand that had given her all good things. How many good things that day!And was she not to make such acknowledgment any more? Ought she toplease her mother in this? Had she really done wrong? Daisy could nottell; she thought not; she could not wish she had not done what she did;but at the same time it was very miserable to have Mrs. Randolph at oddswith her on such a point as this. 

Daisy shed some tears about it; yet not a great many, and without theleast bitterness in them. But she felt faint and tired and disappointed. Here, however, at her own room window, and alone, there was no bar tothanksgivings; and Daisy had them in her heart, as well as prayers forthe people who had them not. She was too tired to pray at last; she onlyknelt at the window with her arms on the sill, (Daisy was raised up onan ottoman) and looked out at the moonlight, feeling as if she was goinginto a dream. 

"Miss Daisy!"--said the smothered voice of June behind her--"are youthere, Miss Daisy?"

June's accent was doubtful and startled. Daisy turned round. 

"Miss Daisy!--I thought you was in the supper-room. "

"No, June--I'm here. "

"Will you go to bed, Miss Daisy?"

"I wish, June, you would get me something to eat, first, " said Daisylanguidly. 

"Didn't you get your supper, Miss Daisy?"

"No, and I'm hungry. I haven't had anything since the dinner at thelake. I wish you'd make haste, June. "

June knew from Daisy's way of speaking, as well as from the facts of thecase, that there was some trouble on foot. She went off to get supper, and as she went along the passages the mulatto woman's hand was clenchedupon itself, though her face shewed only its usual wrinkles. 

Small delay was there before she was back again, and with her June hadbrought a supply of very nearly everything there had been on thesupper-table. She set down her tray, prepared a table for Daisy, andplaced a chair. The room was light now with two wax candles. Daisy satdown and took a review. 

"What will you have now, Miss Daisy? here's some hot oysters--nice andhot. I'll get you some ice cream when you're ready to eat it--Hiram'sgot it in the freezer for you. Make haste, Miss Daisy--these oysters isgood. "

But Daisy did not make haste. She looked at the supper traythoughtfully. 

"June, " she said with a very gentle pure glance of her eyes up at themulatto woman's face--"I am very much obliged to you--but I don't thinkmamma means me to eat these things to-night--Will you just get me somemilk and some bread? I'll take some bread and milk!"

"Miss Daisy, these oysters is good for you, " said June. 

"I'll take some bread and milk to-night--if you will please make haste. Thank you, June. "

"Miss Daisy--then maybe take a sandwich. "

"No--I will have nothing but bread and milk. Only quick, June. "

June went off for the bread and milk, and then very unwillingly carriedher supper-tray down stairs again. Going through one of the passages shewas met by her master. 

"Where is that coming from, June?" he asked her in surprise. 

"From Miss Daisy's room, sir. "

"Has she been taking supper up there?"

"No, sir--Miss Daisy wouldn't touch nothing. "

"Is she unwell?" Mr. Randolph asked in a startled tone. 

"No, sir. " June's tone was dry. Mr. Randolph marched at once to the roomin question, where Daisy was eating her bread and milk. 

"What are you doing, Daisy?"

"Papa!"--said the child with a start; and then quietly--"I am taking mysupper. "

"Were you not at the table down stairs?"

"Yes, papa. "

"How came you not to have your supper there?"

"I had to come away, papa. "

"Are you not well, Daisy?" said Mr. Randolph tenderly, bending down overher chair. 

"Yes, papa--quite well. "

"Then why did you come away?"

Daisy's spoon lay still in her fingers and her eyes reddened. 

"Mamma sent me. "

If the child was to have any supper at all, Mr. Randolph saw, he mustforbear his questioning. He rose up from leaning over her chair. 

"Go on, Daisy--" he said; and he left her, but did not leave the room. He walked up and down the floor at a little distance, while Daisyfinished her bread and milk She was too much in want of it not to dothat. When it was done she got out of her chair and stood on the floorlooking at her father, as gentle as a young sparrow. He came and wheeledher chair round and sat down upon it. 

"What is the matter, Daisy?"

"Mamma was displeased with me. " The child dropped her eyes. 

"What about?"

"Papa"--said Daisy slowly, trying for words and perhaps also forself-command--"mamma was displeased with me because--I--"

"What?"

"Papa--because I did what she did not like at dinner. "

"At dinner? what was that?"

The child lifted her eyes now to her father's face, a little wistfully. 

"Papa--don't you know?--I was only praying a minute. "

Mr. Randolph stretched out his arm, drew Daisy up to him, placed her onhis knee, and looked down into her face. 

"Did you have no supper down stairs?"

"No, sir. "

"Do you like bread and milk better than other things?"

"No, papa. "

"I met June with a great tray of supper things, and she said you wouldnot eat them. Why was that?"

"Papa, " said Daisy, "I thought mamma did not mean me to have thosethings to-night. "

"She did not forbid you?"

"No, papa. "

Mr. Randolph's arm was round Daisy; now he wrapped both arms about her, bringing her up close to his breast, and putting down his lips to herface, he kissed her over and over, with a great tenderness. 

"Have you had a pleasant day?"

"Papa, I have had a great many pleasant things, " said Daisy eagerly. Hervoice had changed and a glad tone had come into it. 

"Dr. Sandford took proper care of you?"

"Papa, he is _very_ good!" said Daisy strongly. 

"I rather think he thinks you are. "

"He is nice, papa. "

"Nice--" said Mr. Randolph. "He is pretty well. But now, Daisy, what doyou think of going to bed and to sleep?"

"Yes, papa. "

"And to-morrow, if you have got into any difficulty, you may come to meand talk about it. "

Daisy returned a very earnest caress to her father's good night kiss, and afterwards had no difficulty in doing as he had said. And so endedthe day on Silver Lake. 

CHAPTER VII. 

Daisy reflected the next morning as to what was her right course withrespect to the action that had troubled her mother so much. Ought she todo it? In the abstract it was right to do it; but ought _she_ in thesecircumstances? And how much of a Christian's ordinary duty might she berequired to forego? and where must the stand be made? Daisy did notknow; she had rather the mind of a soldier, and was much inclined toobey her orders, as such, come what might. That is, it seemed to herthat so she would be in the sure and safe way; but Daisy had no appetiteat all for the fighting that this course would ensure. One thing sheknew by experience; that if she drew upon herself a direct command to dosuch a thing no more, the order would stand; there would be no dealingwith it afterwards except in the way of submission. That command she hadnot in this case yet received, and she judged it prudent not to riskreceiving it. She went down to breakfast as usual, but she did not bowher little head to give any thanks or make any prayers. She hoped thebreakfast would pass off quietly. So it did as to that matter. Butanother subject came up. 

"What became of you last night at supper, Daisy?" her aunt asked. "Dr. Sandford was enquiring for you. I think you received quite your share ofattention, for so young a lady, for my part. "

"Daisy had more than anybody else, yesterday, " remarked Eloïse. 

"A sprained or a broken ankle is a very good thing occasionally, " saidMr. Randolph. 

"Yes, " said Mrs. Gary--"I think Daisy had quite the best time of anybodyyesterday. A palanquin with gentlemen for her porters, and friendly armsto go to sleep in--most devoted care!"

"Yes, I was one of her porters, " said Ransom. "I think Dr. Sandfordtakes rather too much on himself. "

"Did he take _you_?" said Mr. Randolph. 

"Yes, sir, --when there was no occasion. "

"Why Ransom, " said Daisy, "there was no one else to carry my chair butPreston and you. "

"Did Preston feel aggrieved?" asked his uncle. 

"Certainly not, sir, " replied the boy. "It was a pleasure. "

"It was not Ransom's business, " said Mrs. Randolph. 

"I suppose it was not the doctor's business either, " said Mr. Randolph--"though he made it so afterwards. "

"O, I dare say it was a pleasure to him, too, " said Mrs. Gary. "Really, the doctor did not take care of anybody yesterday, that I saw, exceptDaisy. I thought he admired Frederica Fish--I had heard so--but therewas nothing of it. Daisy was quite queen of the day. "

Mr. Randolph smiled. Ransom seemed to consider himself insulted. "Isuppose that was the reason, " he said, "that she called me worse than adog, because I took a meringue from the dinner-spread. "

"Did you do that, Daisy?" asked her mother. 

"No, mamma, " said Daisy low. Her nice had flushed with astonishment andsorrow. 

"You did, " said Ransom. "You said just that. "

"O no, Ransom you forget. "

"What _did_ you say, Daisy?" asked her mother. 

"Mamma, I did not say _that_. I said something--I did not mean it foranything like that. "

"Tell me exactly what you did say--and no more delay. "

"Wait till after breakfast, " said Mr. Randolph. "I wish to be present atthe investigation of this subject, Felicia--but I would rather take itby itself than with my coffee. "

So there was a lull in the storm which seemed to be gathering. It gaveDaisy time to think. She was in a great puzzle. How she could getthrough the matter without exposing all Ransom's behaviour, all at leastwhich went before the blow given to herself, Daisy did not see; she wasafraid that truth would force her to bring it all out. And she was veryunwilling to do that, because in the first place she had established afull amnesty in her own heart for all that Ransom had done, and wishedrather for an opportunity to please than to criminate him; and in thesecond place, in her inward consciousness she knew that Mrs. Randolphwas likely to be displeased with her, in any event. She would certainly, if Daisy were an occasion of bringing Ransom into disgrace; though thechild doubted privately whether her word would have weight enough withher mother for that. Ransom also had time to think, and his brow grewgloomy. An investigation is never what a guilty party desires; andjudging her by himself, Ransom had reason to dread the chance ofretaliation which such a proceeding would give his little sister. SoDaisy and Ransom wore thoughtful faces during the rest ofbreakfast-time; and the result of Ransom's reflections was that theinvestigation would go on most pleasantly without him. He made up hismind to slip away, if he had a chance, and be missing. He had thechance; for Mr. And Mrs. Randolph were engaged with a call of someneighbours immediately after breakfast; all thought of the children'saffairs seemed to be departed. Ransom waited a safe time, and thendeparted too, with Preston, on an expedition which would last all themorning. Daisy alone bided the hour, a good deal disturbed in the viewof what it might bring. 

She was summoned at last to the library. Her father and mother werethere alone; but just after Daisy came in she was followed by Dr. Sandford. The doctor came with a message. Mrs. Sandford, his sister, hesaid, sent by him to beg that Daisy might come to spend the day withNora Dinwiddie, who much desired her presence. In the event of afavourable answer, the doctor said he would himself drive Daisy over, and would call for that purpose in another hour or two. He delivered hismessage, and Mrs. Randolph replied at once that Daisy could not go; shecould not permit it. 

Mr. Randolph saw the flush of hope and disappointment on Daisy's faceand the witness of another kind in her eyes; though with hercharacteristic steady self-control she neither moved nor spoke, andsuffered the tears to come no farther. Dr. Sandford saw it too, but hesaid nothing. Mr. Randolph spoke. 

"Is that decision on account of Daisy's supposed delinquency in thatmatter?"

"Of course--" Mrs. Randolph answered drily. 

"Can you explain it, Daisy?" her father asked, gravely and kindlydrawing her up to his side. Daisy struggled with some thought. 

"Papa, " she said softly, "will mamma be satisfied to punish me and letit go so?"

"Let it go how?"

"Would she be satisfied with this punishment, I mean, and not make mesay anything more about it?"

"I should not. I intend to know the whole. Can you explain it?"

"I think I can, papa, " Daisy said, but with a troubled unwillingness, her father saw. He saw too that it was not the unwillingness of atroubled conscience. 

"Dr. Sandford, if you are willing to take the trouble of stoppingwithout the certainty of taking Daisy back with you, I have some hopesthat the result may be satisfactory to all parties. "

"_Au revoir_, then, " said the doctor, and he strode off. 

"Now, Daisy, " said her father, still having his arms about her--"what isit?" Mrs. Randolph stood by the table and looked coldly down at thegroup. Daisy was under great difficulty; that was plain. 

"Papa--I wish Ransom could tell you!"

"Where is the boy?"

Mrs. Randolph rang the bell. 

"It is no use, mamma; he has gone off with Preston somewhere. "

"That is a mere subterfuge, Daisy, to gain time. "

Daisy certainly looked troubled enough, and timid also; though her meeklook at her mother did not plead guilty to this accusation. 

"Speak, Daisy; the telling whatever there is to tell must come uponyou, " her father said. "Your business is to explain the charge Ransomhas brought against you. "

All Daisy's meditations had not brought her to the point of knowing whatto say in this conjuncture. She hesitated. 

"Speak, Daisy!" her father said peremptorily. 

"Papa, they had put me--Eloïse and Theresa Stanfield--they had put me towatch the things. "

"What things?"

"The dinner--the things that had been taken out of the hampers and werespread on the tablecloth, where we dined. "

"Watch for fear the fishes would carry them off?"

"No, sir, but Fido; Ransom's dog; he was running about. "

"Oh! Well?--"

"I kept Fido off, but I could not keep Ransom--" Daisy said low. "He wastaking things. "

"And why should he not?" said Mrs. Randolph coldly. "Why should notRansom take a sandwich, or a peach, if he wanted one? or anything else, if he was hungry. There was enough provision for everybody. "

Daisy looked up at her mother, with a quick refutation of this statementof the case in her mind, but something stayed her lips. Mr. Randolph sawand read the look. He put his arm round Daisy and drew her up to him, speaking with grave decision. 

"Daisy, say all you have to say at once--do you hear me? and spareneither for Ransom nor yourself. Tell all there is to be told, withoutany shuffling. "

"Papa, I should not have objected to his having a sandwich--or as manyas he liked. I should have thought it was proper. But he took themeringues--and so many that the dish was left very small; and then hecarried off Joanna's lark pie, the whole of it; and he did not mind whatI said; and then, I believe--I suppose that is what Ransom meant--Ibelieve I told him he was worse than Fido. "

"Was Ransom offended at that?"

"Yes, papa. He did not like my speaking to him at all. "

"Of course not, " said Mrs. Randolph. "Boys never like to be tutored bygirls; and Daisy must expect her brother will not like it if she meddleswith him; and especially if she addresses such language to him. "

"I said only exactly that, mamma. "

"Ransom put it differently. "

A flush came up all over Daisy's face; she looked at her motherappealingly, but said nothing and the next moment her eyes fell. 

"Did Ransom answer you at the time, Daisy?"

"Yes, sir, " Daisy said in a low voice. 

"How?"

"Papa!--" said Daisy confounded. 

"What did he say to you?"

"He did not say much--" said Daisy. 

"Tell me what his answer was?"

"Papa, he struck my ears, " said Daisy. A great crimson glow came allover her face, and she hid it in her father's breast; like an injuredthing running to shelter. Mr. Randolph was lying on a sofa; he foldedhis arm round Daisy, but spoke never a word. Mrs. Randolph movedimpatiently. 

"Boys will do such things, " she said. "It is very absurd in Daisy tomind it. Boys will do such things--she must learn that it is not herplace or business to find fault with her brother. I think she deservedwhat she got. It will teach her a lesson. "

"Boys shall not do such things in my house, " said Mr. Randolph in hisusual quiet manner. 

"As you please!" said the lady in a very dissatisfied way; "but I thinkit is only what all boys do. "

"Felicia, I wish to reverse your decision about this day's pleasure. Seeing Daisy has had her lesson, do you not think she might be indulgedwith the play after it?"

"As you please!" returned the lady very drily. 

"Do you want to go, Daisy?"

"If you please, papa. " Daisy spoke without shewing her face. 

"Is Mr. Dinwiddie at Mrs. Sandford's?" inquired Mrs. Randolph. 

"O no, mamma!" Daisy looked up. "He is not coming. He is gone a greatway off. I do not suppose he is ever coming here again; and Nora isgoing away soon. "

Mrs. Randolph moved off. 

"Felicia--" said her husband. The lady paused. "I intend that Ransomshall have a lesson, too. I shall take away the remaining week of hisvacation. To-morrow he goes back to school. I tell you, that you maygive the necessary orders. "

"For this boy's freak, Mr. Randolph?"

"For what you please. He must learn that such behaviour is not permittedhere. "

Mrs. Randolph did not share the folly with which she charged Daisy, forshe made no answer at all, and only with a slight toss of her haughtyhead resumed her walk out of the room. Daisy would fain have spoken, butshe did not dare; and for some minutes after they were left alone herfather and she were profoundly silent. Mr. Randolph revolving thebehaviour of Daisy as he now understood it; her willing silence andenforced speech, and the gentleness manifested towards her brother, withthe meek obedience rendered to her mother and himself. Perhaps histhoughts went deeper still. While Daisy reflected with sorrow on thestate of mind sure to be produced now both in Ransom and Mrs. Randolphtowards her. A matter which she could do nothing to help. She did notdare say one word to change her father's purpose about Ransom; she knewquite well it would be no use. She stood silent by his sofa, one littlehand resting fondly on his shoulder, but profoundly quiet. Then sheremembered that she had something else to talk about. 

"Papa--" she said wheeling round a little to face him. 

"Well, Daisy?"

"Do you feel like talking?"

"Hardly--it is so hot, " said Mr. Randolph. "Set open that sash door alittle more, Daisy. Now come here. What is it?"

"Shall I wait till another time, papa?"

"No. "

He had passed an arm round her, and she stood as before with one handresting on his shoulder. 

"Papa--it was about--what last night you said I might talk to youabout. "

"I remember. Go on, Daisy. "

"Papa, " said the child, a little in doubt how to go on--"I want to dowhat is right. "

"There is generally little difficulty in doing that, Daisy. "

Daisy thought otherwise!

"Papa, I think mamma does not like me to do what I think is right, " shesaid very low and humbly. 

"Your mother is the best judge, Daisy. What are you talking about?"

"_That_, papa--that you said I might talk to you about. "

"What is it? Let us understand one another clearly. "

"About--It was only that I liked to pray and give thanks a minute atmeal times. " Daisy spoke very softly and as if she would fain not havespoken. 

"That is a mere indifferent ceremony, Daisy, which some people perform. It is not binding on you, certainly, if your mother has any objection toyour doing it. "

"But, papa, "--Daisy began eagerly and then checked herself, and went onslowly--"you would not like it if you were to give me anything, and Ishould not thank you?"

"Cases are not parallel, Daisy. "

She wondered in her simplicity why they were not; but her questions hadalready ventured pretty far; she did not dare count too much upon herfather's gentleness. She stood looking at him with unsatisfied eyes. 

"In one sense we receive everything we have from the bounty of Heaven. "

"Yes, papa. "

"If your wish were carried out, we should be covering our faces all thetime--if that formality is needed in giving thanks. "

Daisy had thoughts, but she was afraid to utter them. She looked at Mr. Randolph with the same unsatisfied eyes. 

"Do you see, Daisy?"

"No, papa. "

"Don't you!" said Mr. Randolph smiling. "Difficulties still unsolved?Can you state them, Daisy?"

"Papa, you said I might shew you in the Bible things--do you remember?"

"Things? What things?"

"Papa, if I wanted to do things that I thought were right--you promisedthat if _you_ thought they were in the Bible, I might do as it said. "

"Humph!"--said Mr. Randolph, with a very doubtful sort of a grunt, between displeasure at his own word, and annoyance at the trouble itmight bring upon him. Nevertheless, he remembered the promise. Daisywent on timidly. 

"When you get up--by and by, papa, --may I shew you what is in theBible?"

"You need not wait till I get up--shew it to me now. "

"I cannot lift that big Bible, papa. "

Mr. Randolph rose up from the sofa, went to the shelves where it lay, and brought the great Bible to the library table. Then stood and watchedDaisy, who kneeled in a chair by the table and busily turned over thelarge leaves, her little face very wise and intent, her little handssmall to manage the big book before her. Had such a child and such abook anything to do with each other, Mr. Randolph thought? But Daisypresently found her place, and looking up at him drew a little back thather father might see it. He stooped over Daisy and read, "_In everything give thanks_. "

"Do you see it, papa?"

"Yes. "

"Then here is another place--I know where to find it--"

She turned over more leaves, stopped again, and Mr. Randolph stooped andread, --

"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the nameof our Lord Jesus Christ. "

Mr. Randolph read, and went and threw himself on his sofa again. Daisycame beside him. A wistful earnestness in the one face; a careless sortof embarrassment on the other. 

"You are led astray, little Daisy, by a common mistake of ignorantreaders. You fancy that these words are to be taken literally--whereasthey mean simply that we should cultivate a thankful spirit. That, ofcourse, I agree to. "

"But, papa, " said Daisy, "is a thankful spirit the same thing quite asgiving thanks?"

"It is a much better thing, Daisy, in my opinion. "

"But, papa, would not a thankful spirit like to _give_ thanks?"

"I have no objection, Daisy. "

The tears came into Daisy's eyes. Her mother _had_. 

"Papa--"

"Well? Let us get to the end of this difficulty if we can. "

"I am afraid we cannot, papa. Because if you had told me to do a thingso, you would mean it just so, and I should do it. "

Mr. Randolph wrapped his arms round Daisy and brought her close to hisbreast. "Look here, Daisy, " said he--"tell me. Do you really try to givethanks everywhere, and for all things, as the word says?"

"I do not _try_, papa--I like to do it. "

"Do you give thanks for _everything_?"

"I think I do, papa; for everything that gives me pleasure. "

"For Mrs. Sandford's invitation to-day, for instance?"

"O yes, papa, " said Daisy smiling. 

He brought the little head down within reach of his lips and kissed it agood many times. 

"I wish my little Daisy would not think so much. "

"I think only to know what is right to do, papa. "

"It is right to mind mamma and me, and let us think for you. "

"And the Bible, papa?"

"You are quite growing an old woman a good while before the time. "

Daisy kissed him with good child-like kisses, laying her little head inhis neck and clasping her arms around him; for all that, her heart wasbusy yet. 

"Papa, " she said, "what do you think is right for me to do?"

"Thinking exhausts me, Daisy. It is too hot to-day for such anexercise. "

Daisy drew back and looked at him, with one hand resting on hisshoulder. She did not dare urge any more in words; her look spoke heranxious, disappointed questioning of her father's meaning. Perhaps hedid not care to meet such a gaze of inquiry, for he pulled her downagain in his arms. 

"I do not want you to be an old woman. "

"But, papa--that is not the thing. "

"I will not have it, Daisy. "

"Papa, " she said with a small laugh, "what shall I do to help it? I donot know how I came to be an old woman. "

"Go off and play with Nora Dinwiddie. Are you ready to go?"

"Yes, papa--except my hat and gloves. "

"Do not think anymore to-day. I will think for you by and by. But Daisy, why should you and I set ourselves up to be better than other people?"

"How, papa?"

"Do you know anybody else that lives up to your views on the subject ofthanksgiving?"

"O yes, papa. "

"Who?"

Daisy softly said, "Juanita does, papa, I think. "

"A poor ignorant woman, Daisy, and very likely full of superstitions. Her race often are. "

"What is a superstition, papa?"

"A religious notion which has no foundation in truth. "

"Then papa, can it be superstition to do just what God tells us to do?"

"You are too deep for me, Daisy, " said Mr. Randolph languidly. "Go andget ready for Dr. Sandford. He will be here presently. "

So Daisy went, feeling very uncertain of the result of her talk, butdoubtful and discouraged. Mr. Randolph had a book in hand when shereturned to the library: she could not speak to him any more; and soonindeed the doctor came, helped her into his gig, and drove off with her. 

Now it was pleasant. The fine gravelled roads in the grounds ofMelbourne were in beautiful order after the rain; no dust rose yet, andall the trees and flowers were in a refreshed state of life andsweetness. Truly it was a very hot day, but Daisy found nothing amiss. Neither, apparently, did the doctor's good horse. He trotted alongwithout seeming to mind the sun; and Daisy in a good deal of gleeenjoyed everything. It was private glee--in her own mind; she did notoffer any conversation; and the doctor, of Mr. Randolph's mind, perhaps, that it was a warm day, threw himself back in his seat and watched herlazily. Daisy on the contrary sat up and looked busily out. They drovein the first place for a good distance through her own home grounds, coming out to the public road by the church where Mr. Pyne preached, andnear which the wintergreens grew. It looked beautiful this morning, withits ivy all washed and fresh from the rain. Indeed all nature was in asort of glittering condition. When they came out on the public way itwas still beautiful; no dust, and fields and grass and trees allshining. 

The road they travelled now was one scarce known to Daisy; the carriagesfrom Melbourne never went that way; another was always chosen at thebeginning of all their excursions whether of business or pleasure. Nogentlemen's seats were to be seen; an occasional farmhouse stood in themidst of its crops and meadows; and more frequently a yet poorer sort ofhouse stood close by the roadside. The road in this place was sometimesrough, and the doctor's good horse left his trot and picked his wayslowly along, giving Daisy by this means an opportunity to inspecteverything more closely. There was often little pleasure in theinspection. About half a mile from the church, Daisy's attention wasdrawn by one of these poor houses. It was very small, unpainted anddreary-looking, having a narrow courtyard between it and the road. Asthe gig was very slowly going past, Daisy uttered an exclamation, thefirst word she had uttered in a long while. 

"O Dr. Sandford!--what is that? Something is the matter!"

"No, " said the doctor coolly, "nothing is the matter--more than usual. "

"But a woman was on her hands and knees on the ground? wasn't it awoman?"

"Yes. She cannot move about in any other way. She is a cripple. "

"She cannot stand up?" said Daisy, looking distressed and horrified. 

"No. She has no use of her lower limbs. She is accustomed, to it, Daisy;she never had the use of them, or never for a very long while. "

"Is she _old_?"

"Pretty old, I fancy. But she does not know her age herself, and nobodyelse knows it. "

"Has she got nice people to take care of her?"

The doctor smiled at the earnest little face. "She has nobody. "

"No one to take care of her?" said Daisy. 

"No. She lives there alone. "

"But, Dr. Sandford, how does she do--how does she manage?"

"In some way that would be difficult for you and me to understand, Isuppose--like the ways of the beavers and wasps. "

"I can understand _those_" said Daisy, "they were made to get along asthey do; they have got all they want. "

Daisy was silent, musing, for a little time; then she broke out again. 

"Isn't she very miserable, Dr. Sandford?"

"She is a very crabbed old thing, so the inference is fair that she ismiserable. In fact, I do not see how she can avoid it. "

Daisy pondered perhaps this misery which she could so little imagine;however she let the subject drop as to any more words about it. She wasonly what the doctor called "quaintly sober, " all the rest of the way. 

"Why she looks child-like and bright enough now, " said Mrs. Sandford, towhom he made the remark. Daisy and Nora were exchanging mutualgratulations. The doctor looked at them. 

"At the rate in which she is growing old, " said he, "she will have thesoul of Methusaleh in a body of twenty years. "

"I don't believe it, " said Mrs. Sandford. 

Nora and Daisy had a great day of it. Nothing broke the full flow ofbusiness and pleasure during all the long hours; the day was not hot tothem, nor the shadows long in coming. Behind the house there was a deepgrassy dell through which a brook ran. Over this brook in the dell agreat black walnut tree cast its constant flickering shadow; flickeringwhen the wind played in the leaves and branches, although to-day the airwas still and sultry, and the leaves and the shadows were still too, anddid not move. But there was life enough in the branches of the oldwalnut, for a large family of grey squirrels had established themselvesthere. Old and young, large and small; it was impossible to tell, bycounting, how many there might be in the family; at least now while theywere going in and out and running all over; but Nora said Mrs. Sandfordhad counted fifteen of them at one time. That was in cold weather, whenthey had gathered on the piazza to get the nuts she threw to them. Thiskind of intercourse with society had made the squirrels comparativelytame, so that they had no particular objections to shew themselves tothe two children; and when Nora and Daisy kept quiet they had greatentertainment in watching the gambols of the pretty grey creatures. Onein particular, the mother of the family, Nora said, was bolder or morefamiliar than the rest; and came often and came pretty near, to look atthe children with her bright little eyes, and let them see her beautifulfeathery tail and graceful motions. It was a great delight to Daisy. Nora had seen them before, as she said, and did not care quite so muchabout the sight. 

"I wonder what use squirrels are?" said Daisy. 

"I guess they are not of any use, " said Nora. 

"O, I guess everything is of use. "

"Why no it isn't, " said Nora. "Grass is not of any use. "

"O Nora! Think--what would the cows and horses do?"

"Well, then, stones are not of any use. "

"Yes they are--to build houses--don't you know?"

"Houses might be built of wood, " said Nora. 

"So they might. But then, Nora, wooden houses would not last so long asstone ones. "

"Well--people could build new ones. "

"But houses might be wanted where there was not wood enough to buildthem. "

"I never saw such a place, " said Nora. "I never saw a place where therewas not wood enough. And if there is such a place anywhere, people couldnot live in it, because they would have nothing to make fires with. "

Daisy considered. 

"But Nora, I think it cannot be so. I guess everything is made for someuse. Dr. Sandford told me yesterday what the use is of those queer brownleaves that grow upon rocks--you know--and the use of little mosses, that I never thought before were good for anything. They are to beginto prepare a place on the rocks where things can grow. "

"Why, they grow themselves, " said Nora. 

"Yes, but I mean other things--ferns and flowers and other things. "

"Well, what is the use of _them_?" said Nora. 

"O Nora--just think how pretty they are. "

"But prettiness isn't use. "

"I think it is, " said Daisy; "and I dare say they have other uses thatwe do not know. And I think, Nora, that God would not have taken suchcare to dress up the old rocks if the rocks were no good. "

"Did He do it?" said Nora. 

"Why, certainly. He did everything, you know. "

"Of course; but I thought they just grew, " said Nora. 

The children were silent a little, watching the squirrels. Daisy beganagain abruptly. 

"Nora, did you ever see that crippled woman that lives on the mill roada little way from our church?"

"Old Molly Skelton, do you mean?"

"I do not know what her name is--she cannot walk; she creeps about as ifshe had no legs. "

"I've seen her. Isn't she horrid?"

"Did you ever see her near by?"

"No, I guess I haven't. I have heard Duke tell about her. "

"What? do tell me. "

"O she's a horrid old thing--that is all I know. "

"How, horrid?"

"Why, she is wicked, and she don't know anything. She would hardlylisten to Marmaduke when, he wanted to talk to her. "

"Has she got a Bible, I wonder?" said Daisy in an awestruck voice. 

"She? She can't read. She don't know anything; and she is as ugly andcross as she can be. "

"Was she cross to Mr. Dinwiddie?"

"Yes, indeed. He said he never saw such a crabbed old thing. O she'shorrid. I don't like to ride by that way. "

The children were called in to dinner, and kept in the house by Mrs. Sandford during the intensest heat of the day. But when the afternoonwas cooling off, or at least growing less oppressive, the two childrenagain sought the shade under the walnut tree, where the gurgle of thewater over the stones, and the company of the squirrels in the tree, made the place pleasant. And there they sat down in a great state ofmutual contentment. Nora's feet were swinging about for very jollity. But Daisy sat still. Perhaps she was tired. Nevertheless it could not bethat which made her little face by and by take on it as profound anexpression as if she had been looking over all Methuselah's years. 

"Nora--" said Daisy, and stopped. 

"What?" said Nora, kicking her heels. 

"You know that poor old crippled woman--what did you call her?"

"Molly Skelton?"

"Suppose you were in her place--what do you think you would wish for?"

"In her place!" said Nora. "I should wish for everything. "

"Yes, but I mean, things that you could have. "

"I should wish some doctor would come and make me straight, the firstthing; and then--"

"No, Nora, but I mean, things that might be possible, you know. I do notmean things like a fairy tale. "

"I don't know, " said Nora. "I don't believe Molly Skelton wishes foranything. "

"But what would _you_ wish for, in her place?"

"I should want to be straight, and stand and go about like otherpeople. "

"Yes, Nora, but I say! I mean, what would you wish for that would notbe impossible?"

"Why, Daisy, how funny! Let me see. I should wish that somebody wouldcome and be good to me, I think. "

"How?"

"O--tell me stories and read to me, and take tea with me--and I don'tknow what!"

"Do you suppose nobody ever does take tea with her?" said Daisy, uponwhose fancy a new shadow of wretchedness darkened. 

"I guess not, " said Nora. "I don't believe anybody would. I guess nobodylikes her well enough, she is so bad. "

"Who gets her tea for her then?"

"Why nobody. She does it herself. "

"How _can_ she?"

"I don't know. Marmaduke says she keeps her house clean too, though sheonly goes about on her hands and knees. "

"Nora, " said Daisy, "that isn't like the Bible. "

"What isn't?"

"Don't you remember what the Bible says? that whatever we would likeother people to do to us, we should do so to them. "

"What do you mean, Daisy?"

"I mean just so. "

"But what isn't like the Bible?"

"Why--to let that poor old woman go without what we would like if wewere in her place. "

"Why Daisy! Molly Skelton! The Bible does not mean that we ought to goand make visits to such horrid people as that. "

"You said you would like it if you were in her place, " observed Daisy, "and I know _I_ should. I thought so when you told me. "

"But, Daisy, she is wicked!"

"Well, Jesus loves wicked people, " said Daisy calmly. "Maybe she willwear a white robe in heaven, and have a crown of gold upon her head. "

"Daisy!--she is wicked, " exclaimed Nora indignantly. "Wicked people donot go to heaven. "

"Yes, but if Jesus gives them his white robe, they do, " said Daisy. "Hecame to save wicked people. "

"I don't want to talk any more about Molly Skelton, " said Nora. "Look, Daisy!--there's the old mother squirrel peeping out of her hole. Do yousee? Now she is coming out--see her black eyes! now there's herbeautiful feather tail!"--

This subject was to the full as interesting to Daisy as it was to herfriend; and in watching the grey family in the walnut tree and trying toinduce them to come near and get some almonds, the rest of the afternoonflew by. Only the "mother squirrel" could be tempted near; but she, older in experience and wisdom than her young ones, did venture into theneighbourhood of the children, attracted by the nuts they threw down;and getting pretty close to them, before she would venture quite so faras where the nuts lay, she sat down on her haunches to look and seewhether all were safe; curling her thick, light plume of a tail up alongher back, or whisking it about in various lines of beauty, while herbright little black eyes took all the observations they were equal to. It was unending amusement for the children; and then to see Mrs. Bunnyfinally seize an almond and spring away with it, was very charming. Sothe afternoon sped; nor ever brought one moment of weariness, until thesummons came to bid the children into the house again to tea. 

CHAPTER IX. 

After tea the doctor took Daisy in his gig and drove her home. The drivewas unmarked by a single thing; except that just as they were passingthe cripple's house Daisy broke silence and asked, "Is that woman--Molly Skelton--is she very poor, Dr. Sandford?"

"If to live on charity be poor. I do not suppose the neighbours let hersuffer. "

"Is she cross to everybody, Dr. Sandford?"

"She has the name of it, I believe, Daisy. I really do not rememberwhether she was cross to me or not. "

"Then you know her?"

"Yes. I know everybody. "

The family at Melbourne were found just taking their late tea as thedoctor and Daisy entered. They were met with complaints of the heat;though Daisy thought the drawing room was exceeding pleasant, the aircame in at the long windows with such gentle freshness from the river. The doctor took a cup of tea and declared the day was excellent if youonly rode fifty miles through the heat of it. 

"Coolness is coolness, after that, " he said. 

Daisy sat in a corner and wondered at the people. Hot? and suffocating?she had no recollection of any such thing all day. How delicious it hadbeen in that green dell under the walnut tree, with the grey squirrels!

"How has it been with you, Daisy?" said her aunt at last. 

"Nice, aunt Gary. "

Two or three people smiled; Daisy's favourite word came out with such adulcet tone of a smooth and clear spirit. It was a syrup drop ofsweetness in the midst of flat and acid qualities. 

"It has been satisfactory, has it?" said her aunt, in a tone which didnot share the character. "Come here, Daisy--I have got something foryou. You know I robbed you a little while ago, and promised to try tofind something to make amends. Now come and see if I have done it. Preston, fetch that box here. "

A neat wooden case of some size was brought by Preston, and set at hismother's feet. Mrs. Gary unlocked it, and went on to take out of itsenveloping coverings a very elegant French doll; a real empress Eugenie. The doll's face was even modelled into some likeness to the beauty shewas named after; a diadem sat gracefully on her head, and her robes werea miniature imitation of royalty, but very exquisitely fashioned. Everybody exclaimed at the perfection of the beautiful toy, except Daisyherself, who stood quite still and quiet looking at it. Mrs. Gary hadnot done yet. The empress had a wardrobe; and such variety and eleganceand finish of attire of all sorts rarely falls to the lot of a doll. Avery large wardrobe it was, and every article perfectly finished andwell made as if meant for actual wear. Mrs. Gary displayed her present;Daisy looked on, standing by her father's knee and with one hand restingon it. 

"Have you nothing to say to express your pleasure, Daisy?"--This wasMrs. Randolph's question. 

Daisy at the word pronounced a sober "thank you, aunt Gary. " But it wasso very sober and passionless that Mrs. Randolph grew impatient. 

"I do not hear you express any pleasure, Daisy, " she said meaningly. 

Daisy turned her face towards her mother with a doubtful look, and wassilent. 

"Speak!" said Mrs. Randolph. 

"What, mamma?"

"Whatever you choose, to shew your sense of your aunt's kindness. "

"Do not concern yourself, my dear, " said her sister. "I am sorry if Ihave failed in meeting Daisy's taste--that is all. "

"Daisy, speak, or leave the room"--said Mrs. Randolph. 

"Mamma, " said Daisy, pushed into a corner, "I would speak, but I do notknow what to say. "

"Tell your aunt Gary she has given you a great deal of pleasure. "

Daisy looked again mutely at her mother, somewhat distressed. 

"Tell her so, Daisy!" Mrs. Randolph repeated in a tone of command. 

"I cannot, mamma--" the child answered sorrowfully. 

"Do you mean to tell your aunt that her exquisite present gives you _no_pleasure?"

"I did not intend to tell her so, " Daisy answered in a low voice. Another storm rising! Storms seemed to get up very easily in these days. 

"My dear, " said Mrs. Gary, "do not concern yourself. It is not of theleast consequence, as far as I am concerned. Preston, remove this box. If Daisy chooses to receive it, perhaps it will find more favour atanother time. "

Mrs. Gary got up and moved off. 

"Mr. Randolph, I will trouble you to dismiss Daisy, " said his wife. "Ifshe cannot behave properly she cannot be in the room with me. "

Daisy was still standing with her hand on her father's knee. The otherlittle hand came for a moment across her brows and rested there; but shewould not cry; her lip did not even tremble. 

"First let me understand, " said her father; and he lifted Daisy on hisknee kindly. "Daisy, I never saw you uncivil before. "

"Papa, I am very sorry--" said the child. 

"Can you explain it?"

"Papa, I would have been civil if I could; but I had nothing to say. "

"That is the very place where a person of good manners shews himselfdifferent from a person who has no manners at all. Good manners findssomething to say. "

"But, papa, there was nothing _true_. "

"The doll gave you no pleasure?"

"No, papa, " said Daisy low. 

"And you felt no obligation for the thoughtfulness and kindness of youraunt in getting for you so elegant a present?"

Daisy hesitated and flushed. 

"Daisy, answer, " said her father gravely. 

"No, papa, "--Daisy said low as before. 

"Why not?"

"Papa, " said Daisy with a good deal of difficulty and hesitation--"thatis all passed--I do not want to say anything more about it. "

"About what?"

"About--papa, I do not think mamma would like to have me talk about it. "

"Go on, Daisy. --About what?"

"All that trouble we had, papa. "

"What I want to know is, why you did not feel grateful for your aunt'skindness just now, which she had been at some pains to shew you. "

"Papa, " said Daisy wistfully, --"it was not kindness--it was pay; and Idid not want pay. "

"Pay? For what?"

"For my Egyptian spoon, papa. "

"I do not understand what you are talking of, Daisy. "

"No, papa, " said Daisy; so simply shewing her wish that he should not aswell as her knowledge that he did not, that Mr. Randolph could notforbear smiling. 

"But I mean to understand it, " he said. 

"It was my old Egyptian spoon, papa; the doll was meant to be pay forthat. "

A little explanation was necessary in order to bring to Mr. Randolph'smind the facts Daisy referred to, the spoon itself and the time andoccasion when it was bestowed on her. 

"Did you give your Egyptian spoon to your aunt Gary?"

"I said she might have it, papa. "

"Unwillingly?"

"No, papa--willingly. "

"In exchange for this doll?"

"O no, papa--not in exchange for anything. I did not want any exchange. "

"If I remember, Daisy, " said Mr. Randolph, "your aunt Gary desired tohave that spoon the very day it was given to you; and I thought you didnot wish she should have it?"

"No, papa--so I didn't. "

"Your mind changed afterward?"

"I do not think my mind changed, " said Daisy slowly--"but I was willingshe should have it. "

"Daisy, this whole affair is a mystery to me yet. In this case, why wasit not kind in your aunt to bestow this French doll upon you? it seemsto me very kind. "

"Yes papa--you do not understand. "

"Make me understand. Daisy, I command you to tell me all that you havenot told me. You need not think of anything now, except my command. "

Daisy did, perhaps; for now her lip quivered slightly; and for a momentshe hid her face in her father's bosom. Mr. Randolph wrapped his armsround her and stooped his head to hear the story which Daisy wasobliged to give. She gave it fully, and he heard it quite through insilence. And he made no observation upon it when it was finished; heonly asked her, "Was there no resentment in your refusal of thanks to your aunt justnow?"

"No, papa"--said Daisy; with too sweet and artless utterance for him todoubt her. 

"But then, Daisy, we come back to the cause of your mother'sdispleasure. Good breeding requires that people should not be rude, evenby silence. "

"Papa, I did not know how to be polite with truth. "

"You could have said you were very much obliged to your aunt. "

"But, I was _not_, papa. "

"Not obliged to her?"

"No, sir. "

"But, Daisy, that is a civil form, of expression which it is usual toavail oneself of upon such occasions. It does not necessarily meanmuch. "

"But, papa, would she not have thought I meant it, if I had said so?"

"Very likely. That is the polite advantage gained. "

"But papa. _I_ should have known that I did not mean it; and it wouldnot have been true. "

"This is getting to be too deep a question for you to discussto-night--it is time for you to go to bed. But I cannot have you rude. "

Daisy kissed her father, who had been extremely gentle and tender withher, and went off to her room. Mr. Randolph's brow looked moody. 

"Have you brought Daisy's ideas into order?" asked his wife, who hadbeen engaged in conversation with Dr. Sandford. 

"She has rather brought confusion into mine, " said the gentleman. 

"What is the matter?"

"Truth and Daisy, versus civility and the world. And it is not easy tomake a child comprehend some of the fine distinctions we are accustomedto draw. White and black are _very_ white and black, to such eyes, andno allowance is made for a painter's lights and shades. "

"She must make allowance for what your eyes see, " said Mrs. Randolph. 

Mr. Randolph made no answer. 

"Daisy is entirely changed, " her mother went on, --"and is becomeutterly obstinate and unmanageable. Perfectly self-important too--shethinks there is no wisdom now but her own. I may thank you for it, Dr. Sandford. "

"You do me too much honour, " said the doctor. 

"It is an honour you share with Mr. Dinwiddie. "

"I did not know I shared anything with Mr. Dinwiddie. "

"He has infected the child with a set of perfectly fanatical notions;and you persisted in keeping her under that creature's care, where theyhad time to grow strong. "

"I will do all I can to repair mischief done, " said the doctor. "Mrs. Benoit is a good nurse for the body and you will bear me witness it wasfor repairs of _that_ I was called in. What is the other damage referredto?"

"Fanaticism. "

"Rather young for that disease to take deep root, " said the doctor. 

"Anything takes deep root in Daisy; whatever she takes up she holds to. "

"I advise you to let her be fanatical then a little while longer, " saidthe doctor, "till she has time to lay up some strength. "

And the doctor took his departure. 

"I am sure that is wise counsel, Felicia, " Mr. Randolph said. But thelady made him no answer. 

Ransom went off to school the next day, as his father had promised. Mrs. Randolph looked very gloomy; Mrs. Gary looked not otherwise; andDaisy thought the mental and social horizon foreboded stormy weather. But very happily, as it seemed to her, before dinner there was anarrival of some expected visitors, coming to stay for a time in thehouse. They had been desired as well as expected; there was a famouslady and a learned gentleman among them; and every eye and ear weretaken up with attending to their words or waiting upon their movements. Daisy and her concerns were, she thought, forgotten. 

She enjoyed the feeling of this for a little while; and then ordered herpony chaise. And presently you might have seen a little figure in awhite frock come out upon the front steps, with a large flat on her headand driving gloves on her hands and in one of them a little basket. Downthe steps she came and took her place in the chaise and gathered up thereins. The black pony was ready, with another boy in place of Sam;nobody interfered with her; and off they went, the wheels of the littlechaise rolling smoothly over the gravel, Loupe in a gentle waddlingtrot, and Daisy in a contented state of mind. It was very pleasant!Clear sunny air, yet not too hot, and the afternoon shadows beginning tomake all things look lovely. Daisy took the way to the church, passedout upon the high road, and turned the pony's head in the directionwhich she had taken with Dr. Sandford the day before. She did not goquite so fast, however; so that it was a little time before she came insight of the poor old house which she recognized as Molly Skelton's. Daisy drew the reins then and let Loupe walk slowly up a slight ascentin the road which led to it. But when the chaise was fairly opposite thehouse door, Daisy drew the reins still more and brought Loupe to astand-still. She peered forth then anxiously to see if the poor oldinmate of the house were to be seen anywhere. 

As she looked, the house door opened; and with a very straitened andtouched heart Daisy watched the crippled old creature come from within, crawl down over the door step, and make her slow way into the littlepath before the house. A path of a few yards ran from the road to thehouse door, and it was bordered with a rough-looking array of flowers. Rough-looking, because they were set or had sprung up rather confusedly, and the path between had no care but was only worn by the feet oftravellers and the hands and knees of the poor inhabitant of the place. Yet some sort of care was bestowed on the flowers themselves, for noweeds had been suffered to choke them; and even the encroaching grasshad been removed from trespassing too nearly on their little occupationof ground. The flowers themselves shot up and grew as they had a mind. Prince's feather was conspicuous, and some ragged balsams. A few yellowmarigolds made a forlorn attempt to look bright, and one tall sunflowerraised its great head above all the rest; proclaiming the quality of thelittle kingdom where it reigned. The poor cripple moved down a fewsteps from the house door, and began grubbing with her hands around theroots of a bunch of balsams. 

Daisy looked a minute or two, very still, and then bade the boy hold herpony; while without troubling herself about his mystification she gotout of the chaise, and basket in hand, opened the wicket and softly wentup the path. The neat little shoes and spotless white dress were closebeside the poor creature grubbing there in the ground before she knewit, and there they stood still; Daisy was a good deal at a loss how tospeak. She was not immediately perceived; the head of the cripple had athree-cornered handkerchief thrown over it to defend it from the sun andshe was earnestly grubbing at the roots of her balsam; the earth-stainedfingers and the old brown stuff dress, which was of course dragged alongin the dirt too, made a sad contrast with the spotless freshness of thelittle motionless figure that was at her side, almost touching her. Daisy concluded to wait till she should be seen, and then speak, thoughhow to speak she did not very well know and she rather dreaded themoment. 

It came, when in throwing her weeds aside a glance of the cripple saw, instead of stones and grass, two very neat and black and well shapedlittle shoes planted there almost within reach of her hand. She drewherself back from the balsam and looked sideways up, to see what theshoes belonged to. Daisy saw her face then; it was a bad face; sodisagreeable that she looked away from it instantly to the balsams. 

"What are you doing to your flowers?" she asked gently. The gentlelittle child voice seemed to astonish the woman, although after aninstant she made surly answer, --

"Whose business is it?"

"Wouldn't it be easier, " said Daisy, not looking at her, "if you hadsomething to help you get the weeds up? Don't you want a fork, or a hoe, or something?"

"I've got forks, " said the cripple sullenly. "I use 'em to eat with. "

"No, but I mean, something to help you with the weeds, " saidDaisy--"that sort of fork, or a trowel. "

The woman spread her brown fingers of both hands, like birds' claws, covered with the dirt in which she had been digging. "I've got forksenough, " she said savagely--"them's what goes into my weeds. Now go'long!--"

The last words were uttered with a sudden jerk, and as she spoke themshe plunged her hands into the dirt, and bringing up a double handfulcast it with a spiteful fling upon the neat little black shoes. Woe towhite stockings, if they had been visible; but Daisy's shoes came uphigh and tight around her ankle, and the earth thrown upon them fell offeasily again; except only that it lodged in the eyelet holes of the bootlacing and sifted through a little there, and some had gone as high asthe top of the boot and fell in. Quite enough to make Daisyuncomfortable, besides that the action half frightened her. She quittedthe ground, went back to her pony chaise without even attempting to doanything with the contents of her basket. Daisy could go no further withher feet in this condition. She turned the pony's head and drove back toMelbourne. 

CHAPTER X. 

"Will I take him to the stable, Miss Daisy?" inquired the boy, as Daisygot out at the back door. 

"No. Just wait a little for me, Lewis. "

Up stairs went Daisy; took off her boots and got rid of the soil theyhad brought home; that was the first thing. Then, in spotless orderagain, she went back to Lewis and inquired where Logan was at work. Thither she drove the pony chaise. 

"Logan, " said Daisy coming up to him; she had left Loupe in Lewis'scare; "what do you use to help you get up weeds?"

"Maybe a hoe, Miss Daisy; or whiles a weeding fork. "

"Have you got one here?"

"No, Miss Daisy. Was it a fork you were wanting?"

"Yes, I want one, Logan. "

"And will you be wanting it noo?"

"Yes, I want it now, if you please. "

"Bill, you go home and get Miss Daisy one o' them small hand forks--outo' that new lot--them's slenderer. "

"And Logan, I want another thing. I want a little rose bush--and if youcan, I want it with a rose open or a bud on it. "

"A rose bush!" said Logan. "Ye want it to be set some place, nae doute?"

"Yes, I do; but I want to set it out myself, Logan; so it must not be_too_ big a bush, you know, for I couldn't manage it. "

"Perhaps Miss Daisy had better let me manage it. It's dirty work, MissDaisy. "

"No; I only want the rose bush. I will take care of it, Logan. Have yougot one that I can have?"

"Ou, ay, Miss Daisy! there's a forest of rose bushes; ye can just pleaseyourself. "

"Where is it?"

[Illustration]

Seeing his little mistress was greatly in earnest and must be presentlysatisfied, Logan cast a wistful glance or two at his own proper work inhand which he was abandoning, and walked away with Daisy. The flowergarden and nursery were at some distance; but Daisy trudged along aspatiently as he. Her little face was busy-looking now and eager, as wellas wise; but no tinge of colour would yet own itself at home in thosepale cheeks. Logan glanced at her now and then and was, as she said, "very good. " He thought he was about the best business, after all, thatcould occupy him. He directed his steps to a great garden that yet wasnot the show garden, but hid away behind the plantations of trees andshrubbery. There were a vast number of plants and flowers here, too; butthey were not in show order, and were in fact only the reserve stock, for supplying vacancies or preparing changes or especially forfurnishing cut flowers to the house; of which a large quantity mustevery day be sent in. There was a very nursery of rose trees, smallerand larger. Logan peered about, very particular in his own line as tohow every thing should be done; at last he found and chose just theright thing for Daisy. A slender, thrifty young plant, with healthystrong leaves and shoots, and at the top a bud shewing red and a halfopened sweet rose. Daisy was quite satisfied. 

"Now where is it going, Miss Daisy?" Logan inquired. 

"I am going to plant it out myself, Logan; it is going in a place--whereI want it. "

"Surely! but does Miss Daisy know how to plant a rose tree?"

"Won't you tell me how, Logan?"

"Weel, Miss Daisy, there must be a hole dug for it, in the first place;you must take a trowel and make a hole for it--But your dress will bethe waur!" he exclaimed, glancing at his little mistress's spotlessdraperies. 

"Never mind; only go on and tell me exactly how to manage, Logan. "

"Does Miss Daisy intend to do it this afternoon?"

"Yes. "

"Aweel, you must take a trowel and make a hole, " said Logan, nipping offsome useless buds and shoots from the plants in his neighbourhood as hewas speaking--"and be sure your hole is deep as it should be; and makethe bottom soft with your trowel, or throw in a little earth, wellbroken, for the roots to rest on"------

"How shall I know when my hole is deep enough?"

"Weel, Miss Daisy, it depends on the haighth of the roots--ye must eventry and see till ye get it deep enough; but whatever ye do, keep thecrown of the plant above ground. "

"And what is the crown of the plant, Logan?"

Logan stooped down and put his fingers to the stem of a rose tree. 

"It's just called the crown o' the plant, Miss Daisy, here where theroots goes one way and the stem springs up another. Miss Daisy sees, there's a kind o' shouther there. "

"No, I don't see, " said Daisy. 

Logan put in his spade, and with a turn or two brought up the littlerose bush he had chosen for her purpose; and holding the ball of earth, in his hand, shewed her the part of the plant he spoke of, just abovethe surface of the soil. 

"It's the most tenderest pairt of the vegetable nature, " he said; "andit must be kept out of the ground, where it can breathe, like; it won'tanswer to cover it up. "

"I will not, " said Daisy. "Then?--"

"Then, when ye have gotten the place prepared, ye must set in this ballof earth, as haill as ye can keep it; but if it gets broken off, as it'slike it will!--then ye must set the roots kindly in on the soft earth, and let them lie just natural; and put in the soft earth over them; andwhen ye have got a little in press it down a bit; and then more, afterthe same manner, until it's all filled up. "

"Why must it be pressed down?"

"Weel, Miss Daisy, it must be dune; the roots is accustomed to have thesoil tight round them, and they don't like it unless they have it so. It's a vara good way, to have a watering pot of water and make a puddlein the bottom of the hole, and set the roots in that and throw in thesoil; and then it settles itself all round them, and ye need not to coaxit with your fingers. But if ye don't puddle the roots, the bush must bewell watered and soaked when ye have dune. "

"Very well, Logan--thank you. Now please put it in a basket for me, witha trowel, and let me take a watering pot of water too; or Lewis cancarry that, can't he?"

"He can take whatever ye have a mind, " said Logan; "but where is itgoing?"

"I'll take the basket with the rose, " said Daisy--"it's going a littleway--you can set it just here, in my chaise, Logan. "

The gardener deposited the basket safely in the chaise, and Daisy got inand shook the reins. Lewis, much wondering and a little disgustful, wasaccommodated with a watering pot full of water, by the grinning Logan. 

"See ye ride steady now, boy, " he said. "Ye won't want to shew anygraces of horsemanship, the day!"

Whatever Lewis might have wanted, the necessity upon him was prettystringent. A watering pot full of water he found a very uncomfortablebundle to carry on horseback; he was bound to ride at the gentlest ofpaces, or inflict an involuntary cold bath upon himself every otherstep. Much marvelling at the arrangement which made a carriage andhorses needful to move a rose bush, Lewis followed as gently as he couldthe progress of his little mistress's pony chaise; which was muchswifter than he liked it; until his marvelling was increased by itsturning out of Melbourne grounds and taking a course up the road again. Towards the same place! On went Daisy, much too fast for the wateringpot; till the cripple's cottage came in sight a second time. There, justat the foot of the little rise in the road which led up to the cottagegate, Loupe suddenly fell to very slow going. The watering pot wenteasily enough for several yards; and then Loupe stopped. What was thematter?

Something was the matter, yet Daisy did not summon Lewis. She sat quitestill, looking before her up to the cottage, with a thoughtful, puzzled, troubled face. The matter was, that just there and not before, theremembrance of her mother's command had flashed on her--that she shouldhave nothing to do with any stranger out of the house unless she hadfirst got leave. Daisy was stopped short. Get leave? She would never getleave to speak again to that poor crabbed, crippled, forlorn creature;and who else would take up the endeavour to be kind to her? Who elsewould even try to win her to a knowledge of the Bible and Bible joys?and how would that poor ignorant mortal ever get out of the darknessinto the light? Daisy did not know how to give her up; yet she could notgo on. The sweet rose on the top of her little rose tree mocked her, with kindness undone and good not attempted. Daisy sat still, confoundedat this new barrier her mother's will had put in her way. 

Wheels came rapidly coursing along the road in front of her, and in amoment Dr. Sandford's gig had whirled past the cottage and bore down thehill. But recognizing the pony chaise in the road, he too came to a stopas sudden as Daisy's had been. The two were close beside each other. 

"Where away, Daisy?"

"I do not understand, Dr. Sandford. "

"Where are you going? or rather, why are you standing still here?"

"Because I was in doubt what to do. "

"Did the doubt take you here, in the middle of the road?"

"Yes, Dr. Sandford. "

"What is it, Daisy? To whom are you carrying a rose bush?"

"I am afraid--nobody. "

"What is the matter--or the doubt?"

"It is a question of duty, Dr. Sandford. "

"Then I will decide it for you. Go on and do what you wish to do. Thatwill be right. "

"O no, sir, " said Daisy, smiling at her adviser--"that is just whatwould be wrong. I cannot. "

"Cannot what?"

"Do that, sir; do what I wish to do. " And Daisy sighed withal. 

"What do you wish to do?"

The doctor was quite serious and as usual a little imperative in hisquestions, and Daisy knew him to be trusted. 

"I wanted to take this little rose bush and set it out in the garden upthere. "

"_There?_? do you mean the garden of that cottage?" said the doctorpointing with his whip. 

"Yes, sir. "

"Are you bound thither now?"

"No, sir--I am going home. "

"Rose bush and all? Daisy, let Lewis get Loupe home, and you come hereand ride with me. Come! I want you. "

Truly Daisy wanted nothing else. She left rose bush and watering pot, chaise and pony, to Lewis's management, and gladly let the doctor takeher up beside him. She liked to drive with him; he had a fine horse andwent fast; and there were other reasons. 

Now they drove off in fine style; fast, over the good roads; whisked byMelbourne, sped away along south, catching glimpses of the river fromtime to time, with the hills on the further side hazily blue andindistinct with the September haze of sunbeams. Near hand the green ofplantations and woodland was varied with brown grainfields, where grainhad been, and with ripening Indian corn and buckwheat; but moreespecially with here and there a stately roof-tree or gable of some finenew or old country house. The light was mellow, the air was good; in theexcitement of her drive Daisy half forgot her perplexity anddiscomfiture. Till the doctor said, suddenly looking round at her with asmile, "Now I should like to know the history of that rose bush. "

"O, there is no history about it, " said Daisy, quite taken by surprise. 

"Everything has a beginning, a middle, and an end, " said the doctor. "What was the beginning of this?"

"Only, Dr. Sandford, " said Daisy doubtfully, --"I was sorry for that poorwoman, after what you told me about her. "

"Molly Skelton?"

"Yes, sir. "

"And you thought to comfort her with rose bushes?"

"No sir, --but--I wanted to get on good terms with her. "

"Are you on any other terms?"

"She does not know me, you know, sir, " said Daisy lifting to her frienda face that was beyond his comprehension, --"and I do not think she wasvery well pleased to see me in her garden a little while ago. "

"You have been in her garden, then?"

"Yes, sir. "

"Daisy, will you excuse me for asking, why you should be on any termswhatever with Molly Skelton?"

"She is so unhappy, Dr. Sandford, "--Daisy said, looking up again. 

"And do you think you can do anything to make her less unhappy?"

"I thought"--Daisy did not look up now, but the doctor watching her sawa witnessing tinge that he knew coming about her eyelids, and a softenedline of lip, that made him listen the closer, --"I thought--I might teachher something that would make her happy, --if I could. "

"What would you teach her, Daisy?"

"I would teach her to read--perhaps--I thought; if she would like me andlet me. "

"Is reading a specific for happiness?"

"No sir--but--the Bible!" Daisy said with a sudden glance. And so clearand sure the speech of her childish eye was, that the doctor thoughbelieving nothing of it would not breathe a question of that which shebelieved. 

"O that is it!" he said. "Well, Daisy, this is the beginning; but thoughI came in upon the middle of the subject I do not understand it yet. Whydid not the rose tree get to its destination?"

"Because--I remembered, just when I had got to the bottom of the hill, that mamma would not let me. "

Daisy's tone of voice told more than she knew of her subdued state ofdisappointment. 

"Mrs. Randolph had forbidden you to go to Molly's cottage?"

"No sir; but she had forbidden me to speak to anybody without having herleave. I had forgotten it till just that minute. "

"Ask her leave, and then go. What is the difficulty in that, Daisy?"

"She will not give me leave, Dr. Sandford. Mamma does not like meto----do such things. "

"Do you care much about it?"

"Yes, sir. "

"Present your request to Mrs. Randolph to-morrow, Daisy--that is myadvice to you. "

"It would be no use, Dr. Sandford. "

"Perhaps not; but I advise you to take my advice; and lay the rose bushby the heels till to-morrow afternoon. "

"By the heels, sir?"

"Yes. Logan will tell you what that means. "

Daisy looked with such a gaze of steadfast inquiry up in the doctor'sface, that he had hard work to command his countenance. She could notmake out anything from his face, except that somehow she got a littleencouragement from it; and then they whirled in at the gate of Melbourneand in another minute were at home. Daisy went off to see after herrose-bush, find Logan, and have it laid by the heels. The doctor marchedin through the hall, into the library, and then catching sight of Mr. Randolph on the piazza, he went out there. Mr. Randolph was enjoying theSeptember sunlight, and seemed to be doing nothing else. 

"Good afternoon!" said the doctor. 

"How do you do?" said Mr. Randolph. "Can you possibly have business onhand, doctor, in this weather?"

"Very good weather for business, " said the doctor. 

"Too good. It is enough to look and breathe. "

All Mr. Randolph was doing, apparently. He was lounging on a settee, with a satisfied expression of countenance. The doctor put himself in agreat cane chair and followed the direction of his host's eyes, to theopposite river and mountains; over which there was a glory of light andatmosphere. Came back to Mr. Randolph's face with an air of thedisparaged business. 

"It is not bad, driving. "

"No, I suppose not!"

"Your little daughter likes business better than you do. " A smile cameover Mr. Randolph's face, a smile of much meaning. 

"She likes it too well, doctor. I wish I could infuse some degree ofnonchalant carelessness into Daisy's little wise head. "

"We must deal with things as we find them, " said the doctor. "I met herthis afternoon in the road, with a carriage-load of business on hand;but what was very bad for her, it was arrested business. "

"How do you mean?"

The doctor rose here to give his chair to Mrs. Randolph, who stepped outthrough the library window. He fetched another for himself and went on. 

"She was in the middle of the road, her chaise loaded with baskets andgreenhouse plants, and with a general distribution of garden toolsbetween herself and her outrider. All in the middle of the road at astand-still--chaise and pony and all, --and Daisy herself in particular. I found it was an interrupted expedition, and invited Daisy to take aride with me; which she did, and I got at the rationale of the affair. And I come now to make the request, as her physician, not as her friend, that her expeditions may be as little interfered with as possible. Lether energies work. The very best thing for her is that they should findsomething to work upon, and receive no interruption. "

"What interrupted her this afternoon?"

"Conscience--as I understand it. "

"There is no dealing with Daisy's conscience, doctor, " said Mr. Randolphwith a smile. "What _that_ says, Daisy feels herself bound to do. "

"Do not burden her conscience then, " said the doctor. "Not justnow--till she gets stronger. "

"Where was she going this afternoon?" Mrs. Randolph asked in her calmvoice. 

"On an errand of the most Utopian benevolence"--

"Having what for its object?"

"A miserable old crippled creature, who lives in a poor cottage abouthalf a mile from your gate. "

"What was Daisy desiring to do, doctor?"

"Carry some comfort to this forlorn thing, I believe; whom nobody elsethinks of comforting. "

"Do you know what shape the comfort was to take?"

"I think, " said the doctor, --"I am not quite sure, but I think, it was arose bush. "

Mr. Randolph looked at his wife and straightened himself up to a sittingposture. 

"And what hindered her, Dr. Sandford?"

"I think, some understanding that she had not liberty to go on. "

"Very proper in Daisy, " said Mrs. Randolph. 

"That is your child who is wanting in docility, " remarked Mr. Randolph. 

"She might have remembered my orders before she got so far, "--said thelady. 

"I wish you would change the orders, " said Dr. Sandford boldly. 

"Not even to oblige you, doctor, " said Mrs. Randolph. "Daisy has an ideathat the companions who are not fit for her are precisely the ones whomshe should cultivate. "

"I think Daisy would state the question differently, however, " Mr. Randolph remarked. 

"She has a tinge of the wildest fanaticism, " Mrs. Randolph went on, dropping her work and facing the doctor. "Wherever there are rags anddirt, there, by force of contrast, Daisy thinks it is her business togo. This is a miserable place, I suppose, that she was aiming for thisafternoon--is it not?"

"Very miserable. But the point is, to visit it would have made Daisyhappy. "

"It is sheer fanaticism!" said Mrs. Randolph. "I cannot let herencourage it. If I did, she would not be fit for anything by and by. Sheis fit for very little now. "

"You will of course judge as you please about it, " said the doctor; "butit is my duty to tell you that the danger in that line is far more thancompensated by the advantage to be gained. For Daisy's health, sheshould be checked in nothing; let her go where she will and do what shewill; the more business on hand the better, that carries her out ofdoors and out of herself. With a strong body and secure health, you willfind it far easier to manage fanaticism. "

"I am sure Dr. Sandford is right, Felicia, " said Mr. Randolph. 

"I know Daisy--" said the lady. 

"I think I know fanaticism, " said the doctor; "and if I do, the bestthing you can do with it is to give it plenty of sun and air. "

"Is it quite safe for Daisy to go to this cottage you speak of?" Mr. Randolph asked. 

"Quite safe. "

"I cannot think of letting Daisy go there, Mr. Randolph!" said his wife. 

"What danger do you apprehend, Felicia?"

It was not quite so easy to say. The lady handled her tetting pins, which were in her fingers, for a moment or two in silence; then let themfall, and raised her handsome head. 

"Daisy must be withdrawn entirely from the associations which have takenpossession of her--if it is possible. The very best thing for her in myopinion would be to send her to a boarding school. Unless you wish yourdaughter to grow up a confirmed _réligieuse_, Mr. Randolph. Do you wishthat?"

"I have not considered it. What do you suppose Daisy will do to harmherself, at this place Dr. Sandford speaks of?"

"Some absurdity, that just cherishes the temper she is in. "

"Quite as likely"--to wear it out, Mr. Randolph was going to say; butsome remembrance of Daisy came up and stopped him. 

"Good evening!" said the doctor, rising to his feet. 

"Are you going, Dr. Sandford?"

"Yes. "

"Then you recommend that we let Daisy go to this place, and alone?"

"In my capacity of physician I should _order_ it, " said the doctor witha smile; "only, I do not like to give orders and have them dishonoured. "

Off he went. 

"Felicia, " said Mr. Randolph, "I believe he is right. "

"I am sure he knows nothing about it, " said the lady. 

"Do you? Daisy is very delicate. "

"She will never die of want of resolution. "

"Felicia, I mean to enquire into Daisy's wishes and purposes about thismatter; and if I find them unobjectionable, I shall give her leave to goon with it. "

"You do not know what you are about, Mr. Randolph. "

"I shall find out, then, " said the gentleman. "I would rather she wouldbe a _réligieuse_ than a shadow. "

CHAPTER XI. 

Daisy pondered over the doctor's counsel. It was friendly; but shehardly thought well advised. He did not know her father and mother sowell as she did. Yet she went to find out Logan that afternoon on herreturn from the drive, and saw the rose-bush laid by the heels; withperhaps just a shadow of hope in her heart that her friend the doctormight mean to put in a plea for her somewhere. The hope faded when shegot back to the house, and the doctor was gone, and Mrs. Randolph'shandsome face looked its usual calm impassiveness. What use to ask hersuch a thing as leave to go to the cripple's cottage? No use at all, Daisy knew. The request alone would probably move displeasure. Everylook at her mother's face settled this conviction more and more deeplyin Daisy's mind; and she ended by giving up the subject. There was nohope. She could do nothing for any poor person, she was sure, under hermother's permission, beyond carrying soup and jelly in her pony chaiseand maybe going in to give it. And that was not much; and there werevery few poor people around Melbourne that wanted just that sort ofattention. 

So Daisy gave up her scheme. Nevertheless next morning it gave her atwinge of heart to see her rose-bush laid by the heels, exactly like herhopes. Daisy stood and looked at it. The sweet half-blown rose at thetop of the little tree hung ingloriously over the soil, and yet lookedso lovely and smelt so sweet; and Daisy had hoped it might win poorMolly Skelton's favour, or at least begin to open a way for it to comein due time. 

"So ye didn't get your bush planted--" said Logan coming up. 

"No. "

"Your hands were not strong enough to make the hole deep for it, MissDaisy?"

"Yes, I think they could; but I met with an interruption yesterday, Logan. "

"Weel--it'll just bide here till ye want it. "

Daisy wished it was back in its old place again; but she did not like tosay so, and she went slowly back to the house. As she mounted the piazzasteps she heard her father's voice. He was there before the librarywindows. 

"Come here, Daisy. What are you about?" he said drawing her up in hisarms. 

"Nothing, papa. "

"How do you like doing nothing?"

"Papa, I think it is not at all agreeable. "

"You do! So I supposed. What were you about yesterday afternoon?"

"I went to ride with Dr. Sandford. "

"Did that occupy the whole afternoon?"

"O no, papa. "

"Were you doing nothing the rest of the time?"

"No sir, not _nothing_. "

"Daisy, I wish you would be a little more frank. Have you any objectionto tell me what you were doing?"

"No, papa;--but I did not think it would give you any pleasure. I wasonly trying to do something. "

"It would give me pleasure to have you tell about it. "

"I must tell you more then, papa. " And standing with her arm on herfather's shoulder, looking over to the blue mountains on the other sideof the river, Daisy went on. 

"There is a poor woman living half a mile from here, papa, that I sawone day when I was riding with Dr. Sandford. She is a cripple. Papa, her legs and feet are all bent up under her, so that she cannot walk atall; her way of moving is by dragging herself along over the ground onher hands and knees; her hands and her gown all down in the dirt. "

"That is your idea of extreme misery, is it not, Daisy?"

"Papa, do you not think it is--it must be--very uncomfortable?"

"Very, I should think. "

"But that is not her worst misery. Papa, she is all alone; theneighbours bring her food, but nobody stops to eat it with her. She isall alone by night and by day; and she is disagreeable in her temper, Ibelieve, and she has nobody to love her and she loves nobody. "

"Which of those two things is the worst, Daisy?"

"What two things, papa?"

"To love nobody, or to have nobody to love her?"

"Papa--I do not know. " Then remembering Juanita, Daisy suddenlyadded, --"Papa, I should think it must be the worst to love nobody. "

"Do you? Pray why?"

"It would not make her happy, I think, to have people love her if shedid not love them. "

"And you think loving others would be better, without anybody to givelove back?"

"I should think it would be very hard!"--said Daisy with a most profoundexpression of thoughtfulness. 

"Well--this poor cripple, I understand, lacks both those conditions ofhappiness?"

"Yes, papa. "

"What then? You were going to tell me something about her. "

"Not much about _her_" said Daisy, "but only about myself. "

"A much more interesting subject to me, Daisy. "

You could only see the faintest expression of pleasure in the line ofDaisy's lips; she was looking very sober and a trifle anxious. 

"I only thought, papa, I would try if I could not do something to makethat poor woman happier. "

"What did you try?"

"The first thing was to get her to know me and like me, you know, papa;because she is rather cross and does not like people generally, Ibelieve. "

"So you went to see her?"

"I have never spoken much to her, papa. But I went inside of her gateone day, and saw her trying to take care of some poor flowers; so then Ithought, maybe, if I took her a nice little rose-bush, she might likeit. "

"And then like you? Well--you tried the experiment?"

"No, papa. I did get a rose-bush from Logan and he told me how to plantit; and I was on my way to the cottage and had almost got there; andthen I recollected mamma had said I must not speak to anybody withouther leave. "

"So you came home?"

"Yes, papa. No, papa, I went to ride with Dr. Sandford. "

"Have you asked leave of your mother?"

"No, papa, "--said Daisy, in a tone of voice which sufficiently expressedthat she did not intend it. 

"So my dear little Daisy, " said her father drawing his arm round her alittle more closely--"you think a rose-bush would serve instead offriends to make this poor creature happy?"

"O no, papa!"

"What was the purpose of it, then?"

"Only--to get her to like me, papa. "

"What were _you_ going to do to make her happy?"

"Papa, if you lived in such a place, in such a way, wouldn't you like tohave a friend come and see you sometimes?"

"Certainly!--if you were the friend. "

"I thought--by and by--she might learn to like it, " Daisy said in themost sedately meek way possible. Her father could not forbear a smile. 

"But Daisy, from what you tell me, I am at a loss to understand the partthat all this could have had in _your_ happiness. "

"O papa--she is so miserable!" was Daisy's answer. Mr. Randolph drew herclose and kissed her. 

"_You_ are not miserable?"

"No, papa--but--"

"But what?"

"I would like to give her a little bit of comfort. "

There was much earnestness, and a little sorrow, in Daisy's eyes. 

"I am not sure that it is right for you to go to such places. "

"Papa, may I shew you something?" said the child with sudden life. 

"Anything, Daisy. "

She rushed away; was gone a full five minutes; then came softly to Mr. Randolph's shoulder with an open book in her hand. It was Joanna'sBible, for Daisy did not dare bring her own; and it was open at thesewords--

"Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them. "

"What does this mean, Daisy? It seems very plain; but what do I wantwith it?"

"Only, papa, that is what makes me think it is right. "

"What is right?"

"To do this, papa. "

"Well but, are you in want of somebody to come and make you happy?"

"O no, papa--but if I were in her place, then I should be. "

"Do you suppose this commands us to do in every case what we would likeourselves in the circumstances?"

"Papa--I suppose so--if it wouldn't be something wrong. "

"At that rate, I should have to let you go with your rose-bush, " saidMr. Randolph. 

"O papa!" said Daisy, "do you think, if you asked her, mamma wouldperhaps say I might?"

"Can't tell, Daisy--I think I shall try my powers of persuasion. "

For answer to which, Daisy clasped her arms round his neck and gave himsome very earnest caresses, comprised in one great kiss and a clingingof her little head in his neck for the space of half a minute. It meanta great deal; so much that Mr. Randolph was unable for the rest of theday to get rid of a sort of lingering echo of Daisy's Bible words; theyhaunted him, and haunted him with a strange sense of the house being atcross purposes, and Daisy's line of life lying quite athwart andcontrary to all the rest. "Whatsoever ye would that men should do untoyou;"--who else at Melbourne considered that for one moment?

However, Mr. Randolph had a fresh talk with his wife; the end of whichwas that he gave Daisy leave to do what she liked in the matter of MollySkelton; and was rewarded on the spot by seeing the pink tinge whichinstantly started into the pale cheeks. 

No lack of energy had Daisy for the rest of that day. She went off firstto see what was the condition of her rose-bush; pretty fair; lying bythe heels seemed to agree with it quite well. Then the pony chaise wasordered and a watering pot of water again; much to the boy's disgust whowas to carry it; and Daisy took her dinner with quiet satisfaction. Sosoon as the afternoon had become pleasantly cool, Daisy's driving glovesand hat went on, the chaise was summoned, and rose-bush and all she setforth on her expedition. Mr. Randolph watched her off, acknowledgingthat certainly for the present the doctor was right; whether in thefuture Mrs. Randolph would prove to have been right also, he wasdisagreeably uncertain. Still, he was not quite sure that he wishedDaisy anything other than she was. 

Troubled by no fears or prognostications, meanwhile, the pony chaise andits mistress went on their way. No, Daisy had no fears. She did doubtwhat Molly's immediate reception of her advances might be; her firstexperience bade her doubt; but the spirit of love in her little heartwas overcoming; it poured over Molly a flood of sunny affections andpurposes, in the warmth and glow of which the poor cripple's crabbednessand sourness of manner and temper were quite swallowed up and lost. Daisy drove on, very happy and thankful, till the little hill wasgained, and slowly walking up it Loupe stopped, nothing loth, before thegate of Molly Skelton's courtyard. 

A little bit of hesitation came over Daisy now, not about what was to bedone, but how to do it. The cripple was in her flowery bit of ground, grubbing around her balsams as usual. The clear afternoon sunbeams shoneall over what seemed to Daisy all distressing together. The raggedbalsams--the coarse bloom of prince's feather and cockscomb--somestraggling tufts of ribband grass and four-o'clocks and marigolds--andthe great sunflower nodding its head on high over all; while weeds wereonly kept away from the very growth of the flowers and started upeverywhere else, and grass grew irregularly where grass should not; andin the midst of it all the poor cripple on her hands and knees in thedirt, more uncared-for, more unseemly and unlovely than her little plotof weeds and flowers. Daisy looked at her, with a new tide of tendernessflowing up in her heart, along with the doubt how her mission should beexecuted or how it would be received; then she gave up her reins, tookthe rose-tree in her hands, and softly opened the little wicket gate. She went up the path and stood beside the cripple, who hearing the gateshut had risen from her grubbing in the earth and sat back looking atwho was coming. Daisy went on without hesitation now. She had prayed outall her prayer about it before setting out from home. 

"I have brought you a rose-bush, " she said simply. "Do you like roses?this is very sweet. I thought maybe you would like a rose. Where wouldyou like to have it go?"

The answer was a very strange sort of questioninggrunt--inarticulate--nevertheless expressive of rude wonder andincredulity, as far as it expressed anything. And Molly stared. 

"Where shall I put this rose-tree?" said Daisy. "Where would it lookprettiest? May I put it here, by these balsams?"

No answer in words; but instead of a sign of assent, the cripple afterlooking a moment longer at Daisy and the rose-tree, put her hand beyondthe balsams and grubbed up a tuft of what the country people call"creepin' Charley;" and then sitting back as before, signified to Daisyby a movement of her hand that the rose-bush might go in that place. That was all Daisy wanted. She fell to work with her trowel, glad enoughto be permitted, and dug a hole, with great pains and some trouble; forthe soil was hard as soon as she got a little below the surface. Butwith great diligence Daisy worked and scooped, till by repeated trialsshe found she had the hole deep enough and large enough; and then shetenderly set the roots of the rose-tree in the prepared place and shookfine soil over them, as Logan had told her; pressing it down from timeto time, until the job was finished and the little tree stood securelyplanted. A great feat accomplished. Daisy stayed not, but ran off to theroad for the watering pot, and bringing it with some difficulty to thespot without soiling herself, she gave the rose-bush a thoroughwatering; watered it till she was sure the refreshment had penetrateddown to the very roots. All the while the cripple sat back gazing ather; gazing alternately at the rose-bush and the planting, and at thewhite delicate frock the child wore and the daintily neat shoes andstockings, and the handsome flat hat with its costly riband. I thinkthe view of these latter things must in some degree have neutralized theeffect of the sweet rose looking at her from the top of the little bush;because Molly on the whole was not gracious. Daisy had finished her workand set down her empty watering pot, and was looking with greatsatisfaction at the little rose-bush; which was somewhat closelyneighboured by a ragged bunch of four-o'clocks on one side and theovergrown balsams on the other; when Molly said suddenly and gruffly, "Now go 'long!"------

Daisy was startled, and turned to the creature who had spoken to see ifshe had heard and understood aright. No doubt of it. Molly was notlooking at her, but her face was ungenial; and as Daisy hesitated shemade a little gesture of dismissal with her hands. Daisy moved a step ortwo off, afraid of another shower of gravel upon her feet. 

"I will come to-morrow and see how it looks"--she said gently. 

Molly did not reply yes or no, but she repeated her gesture ofdismissal, and Daisy thought it best and wisest to obey. She bid her asweet "good bye, " to which she got no answer, and mounted into herchaise again. There was a little disappointment in her heart; yet whenshe had time to think it all over she was encouraged too. The rose-treewas fairly planted; that would keep on speaking to Molly without thefear of a rebuff; and somehow Daisy's heart was warm towards the gruffold creature. How forlorn she had looked, sitting in the dirt, with hergrum face!

"But perhaps she will wear a white robe in heaven!"--thought Daisy. 

Seeing that the rose-tree had evidently won favour, Daisy judged shecould not do better than attack Molly again on her weak side, whichseemed to be the love of the beautiful!--in one line at least. But Daisywas not an impatient child; and she thought it good to see first whatsort of treatment the rose-bush got, and not to press Molly too hard. Sothe next day she carried nothing with her; only went to pay a visit tothe garden. Nothing was to be seen but the garden; Molly did not shewherself; and Daisy went in and looked at the rose. Much to hersatisfaction, she saw that Molly had quite discarded the great bunch offour-o'clocks which had given the little rose tree no room on one side;they were actually pulled up and gone; and the rose looked out in fairspace and sunshine where its coarse-growing neighbour had threatened tobe very much in its way. An excellent sign. Molly clearly approved ofthe rose. Daisy saw with great pleasure that another bud was gettingready to open and already shewing red between the leaves of its greencalyx; and she went home happy. 

Next morning she went among the flower beds, and took a very carefulsurvey of all the beauties there to see what best she might take for hernext attack upon Molly. The beauties in flower were so very many and sovery various and so delicious all to Daisy's eye, that she was a gooddeal puzzled. Red and purple and blue and white and yellow, the bedswere gay and glorious. But Daisy reflected that anything which wantedskill in its culture or shelter from severities of season woulddisappoint Molly, because it would not get from her what would benecessary to its thriving. Some of the flowers in bloom, too, would notbear transplanting. Daisy did not know what to do. She took Logan intoher confidence, so far as she could without mentioning names orcircumstances. 

"Weel, Miss Daisy, " said the gardener, "if ye're bent on being a LadyFlora to the poor creature, I'll tell ye what ye'll do--ye'll just takeher a scarlet geranium. "

"A geranium?" said Daisy. 

"Ay. Just that. "

"But it would want to be in the greenhouse when winter comes. "

"Any place where it wouldn't freeze, " said Logan. "You see, it'll be ina pot e'en now, Miss Daisy--and you'll keep it in the pot; and the potyou'll sink in the ground till frost comes; and when the frost comes, it'll just come up as it is and go intil the poor body's house, and makea spot of summer for her in her house till summer comes again. "

"O Logan, that is an excellent thought!"

"Ay, Miss Daisy--I'm glad ye approve it. "

"And than she would have the flowers all winter. "

"Ay--if she served it justly. "

The only thing now was to choose the geranium. Daisy was some time aboutit, there were so many to choose from. At last she suited herself with avery splendid new kind called the "Jewess"--a compact little plant witha store of rich purple-red blossoms. Logan murmured as he took up thepot in which it was planted--"Less than the best will never serve ye, Miss Daisy"--but he did not grumble about it after all, and Daisy wascontent. 

She was very content when she had got it in her pony chaise and wasdriving off, with the magnificent purple-red blossoms at her feet. Howexquisitely those delicate petals were painted, and marked with dashesof red and purple deeper than the general colour. What rich clusters ofblossoms. Daisy gave only half an eye to her driving; and it was nottill she had almost reached Melbourne gate that she discovered hertrowel had been forgotten. She sent her attendant back for it andwaited. 

Loupe was always willing to stand, lazy little fat fellow that he was;and Daisy was giving her undivided attention to the purple "Jewess, "with a sort of soft prayer going on all the while in her heart that hererrand might be blessed; when she was suddenly interrupted. 

"Why where are you going, Daisy?"

"Where have you been, Preston?" said Daisy as suddenly drawing up. 

"Little Yankee!" said Preston. "Answer one question by another in thatfashion? You mustn't do it, Daisy. What are you doing?"

"Nothing. I am waiting. "

"What are you going to do, then?"

"I am going to drive. "

"Do you usually carry a pot of geraniums for company?"

"No, not usually, " said Daisy smiling at him. 

"Well set out the pot of geraniums, and we will have a glorious ride, Daisy. I am going to the Fish's, to see some of Alexander's traps; andyou shall go with me. "

"O Preston--I am sorry; I cannot. "

"Why?"

"I cannot this afternoon. "

"Yes, you can, my dear little Daisy. In fact you _must_. Consider--Ishall be going away before very long, and then we cannot take ridestogether. Won't you come?"

"Not now--I cannot, Preston! I have got something to do first. "

"What?"

"Something which will take me an hour or two. After that I could go. "

"Scarcely, this afternoon. Daisy, it is a long drive to the Fish's. Andthey have beautiful things there, which you would like to see, I knowyou would. Come! go with me--that's my own little Daisy. "

Preston was on horseback, and looked very much in earnest. He lookedvery gay and handsome too, for he was well mounted and knew how tomanage himself and his horse. He wanted to manage Daisy too; and thatwas difficult. Daisy would have been tempted, and would have gone withhim at the first asking; but the thought of Molly and her forlornness, and the words warm at her heart--"Whatsoever ye would that men should doto you"--and a further sense that her visitations of Molly were anextraordinary thing and very likely to be hindered on short notice, kepther firm as a rock. She had an opportunity now in hand; she would notthrow it away; not for any self-gratification. And to tell the truth, nosort of self-gratification could balance for a moment in Daisy's mindthe thought of Molly's wearing a crown of gold in heaven. That crown ofgold was before Daisy's eyes; nothing else was worth a thought incomparison. 

"Are you going to see that wretched old being?" said Preston at last. 

"Yes. "

"Daisy--dear Daisy--I do not know what to do with you. Do you like, isit possible that you can like, dirt and vulgarity?"

"I don't think I do, " Daisy said gently; "but Preston, I like the poor_people_. "

"You do!" said Preston. "Then it is manifest that you cannot like me. "And he dashed spurs into his horse and sprung away, with a grace andlife that kept Daisy looking after him in admiration, and a plain moodof displeasure which cast its shadow all over her spirit. 

"Here is the trowel, Miss Daisy. "

Her messenger had come back, and Daisy recalled to the business in handtook up her reins again and drove on; but she felt deeply grieved. Nowand then her gauntleted hand even went up to her face to brush away atear that had gathered. It was not exactly a new thing, nor was Daisyentirely surprised at the attempt to divert her from her purpose. Shewas wise enough to guess that Preston's object had been more than thepleasure of her company; and she knew that all at home, unless possiblyher father might be excepted, neither liked nor favoured her kindness toMolly and would rejoice to interrupt the tokens of it. All were againsther; and Daisy's hand, went up again and again. "It is good I am weakand not very well, " she thought; "as soon as I grow strong mamma willnot let me do this any more. I must do all I can now. "

So she came to the cripple's gate; and by that time the tears were allgone. 

Nobody was in the little courtyard; Daisy went in first to see how therose looked. It was all safe and doing well. While she stood therebefore it, the cottage door opened and the poor inmate came out. Shecrawled down the walk on hands and knees till she got near Daisy, andthen sat back to look at her. 

"What do you want?" she said, in a most uninviting and ungracious toneof voice. 

"I came to see you, " said Daisy, venturing to let her eyes rest for thefirst time on those poor, restless, unloving eyes opposite her--"and Iwanted to see the rose, and I have brought you another flower--if youwill let me bring it in. "

Her words were sweet as honey. The woman looked at her, and answeredagain with the unintelligible grunt, of unbelieving wonder, which Daisyhad heard once before. Daisy thought on the whole the safest way was notto talk but to fetch her beautiful "Jewess" flowers to speak forthemselves. So she ran off and brought the pot and set it on the groundbefore Molly. It was a great attraction; Daisy could see that at once. The cripple sat back gazing at it. Daisy prudently waited till her eyescame round again from the flowers and rested on her little visiter'sface. 

"Where shall I put it?" said Daisy. "Where would you like to have itgo?"

Molly's eyes presently followed hers, roaming over the little flowerplot in search of room for the geranium, which did not appear; prince'sfeather and marigolds so choked up the ground where balsams did notstraggle over it. Molly looked as Daisy did at the possibilities of thecase, looked again at the strange sweet little face which was so busy inher garden; and then made a sudden movement. With two or three motionsof hands and knees she drew herself a few steps back to one of theexclusive bunches of balsams, and began with her two hands to root itup. Actually she was grubbing, might and main, at the ungainly stalks ofthe balsams, pulling them up as fast as she could and flinging themaside, careless where. Daisy came to help with her trowel, and togetherthey worked, amicably enough but without a word, till the task was done. A great space was left clear, and Molly threw herself back in her wontedposition for taking observations. Daisy wasted no time. In hopefuldelight she went on to make a hole in the ground in which to sink thepot of geraniums. It was more of a job than she thought, and she dugaway stoutly with her trowel for a good while before she had anexcavation sufficient to hold the pot. Daisy got it in at last; smoothedthe surface nicely all round it; disposed of the loose soil till the bedwas trim and neat, as far as that was concerned; and then stood up andspoke. Warm, --how warm she was! her face was all one pink flush, but shedid not feel it, she was so eager. 

"There, " she said, "that will stand there nicely; and when the coldweather comes, you can take the pot up and take it into the house, justas it is; and if you do not let it freeze, it will have flowers for youin the winter. "

"Cold?" said Molly. 

"Yes--by and by, when the cold weather comes, this must be taken up. Thecold would kill it, if it was cold enough to freeze. It would have to goin the house. The rose can stay out all winter if you like; but thismust be kept warm. This is a geranium. And it will give you flowers inthe winter. "

"J'anium?" said Molly. 

"Yes. This is called the 'Jewess'--there are so many kinds that theyhave to be named. This is the 'Jewess' geranium. "

"Water?"--said Molly. 

"Water? No, this does not need water, because the roots are in a pot, you know, and have not been disturbed. It will want water if rain don'tcome, by and by. "

"What's you?" was Molly's next question, given with more directness. 

"Me? I am Daisy Randolph. And I love flowers; and you love flowers. MayI come and see you sometimes? Will you let me?"

Molly's grunt this time was not unintelligible. It was queer, but therewas certainly a tone of assent in it. She sat looking now at the"Jewess" blossoms and now at Daisy. 

"And I love Jesus, " the child went on. "Do you love him?"

The grunt was of pure question, in answer to this speech. Molly did notunderstand. Daisy stooped down to face her on more equal terms. 

"There is a great King up in heaven, who loves you, Molly. He loves youso well that he died for you. And if you love him, he will take youthere when you die and give you a white robe and a crown of gold, andmake you blessed. "

It is impossible to describe the simple earnestness of this speech. Daisy said it, not as a philosopher nor as even a preacher would havedone; she said it as a child. As she had received, she gave. The uttercertainty and sweetness of her faith and love went right from one pairof eyes to the other. Nevertheless, Molly's answer was only a mostignorant and blank, "What?"--but it told of interest. 

"Yes, " said Daisy. "Jesus loved us so well that he came and died forus--he shed his blood that we might be forgiven our sins. And now he isa Great King up in heaven; and he knows all we do and all we think; andif we love him he will make us good and take us to be with him, and giveus white robes and crowns of gold up there. He can do anything, for heraised up dead people to life, when he was in the world. "

That was a master-stroke of Daisy's. Molly's answer was again a grunt ofcuriosity; and Daisy, crouching opposite to her, took up her speech andtold her at length and in detail the whole story of Lazarus. And ifDaisy was engaged with her subject, so certainly was Molly. She did notstir hand or foot; she sat listening movelessly to the story, which camewith such loving truthfulness from the lips of her childish teacher. Ateacher exactly fitted, however, to the scholar; Molly's poor closed-upmind could best receive any truth in the way a child's mind would offerit; but in this truth, the undoubting utterance of Daisy's love andbelief won entrance for her words where another utterance might not. Faith is always catching. 

So Daisy told the wonderful story, and displayed the power and love andtenderness of the Lord with the affection of one who knew him _her_Lord, and almost with the zeal of an eye-witness of his work. It wasalmost to Daisy so; it seemed to her that she had beheld and heard thethings she was telling over; for faith is the substance of things notseen; and the grief of the sisters, and their joy, and the love andtenderness of the Lord Jesus, were all to her not less real than theywere to the actors in that far distant drama. Molly heard herthroughout, with open mouth and marvelling eyes. 

Neither of them had changed her position, and indeed Daisy had scarcefinished talking, when she heard herself hailed from the road. Shestarted. Preston was there on horseback, calling to her. Daisy got upand took up her trowel. 

"Good bye, " she said, with a little sigh for the lost vision whichPreston's voice had interrupted--"I'll come again, I hope. " And she ranout at the gate. 

"It is time for you to go home, Daisy. I thought you did not know howlate it is. "

Daisy mounted into her pony chaise silently. 

"Have I interrupted something very agreeable?"

"You would not have thought it so, " said Daisy diplomatically. 

"What were you doing, down there in the dirt?"

"Preston, if you please, I cannot talk to you nicely while you are sohigh and I am so low. "

Preston was certainly at some height above Daisy, being mounted up inhis saddle on a pretty high horse, while the pony chaise was hung verynear the ground. He had been beside her; but at her last words helaughed and set off at a good pace in advance, leaving the chaise tocome along in Loupe's manner. Daisy drove contentedly home through theafternoon sunlight, which laid bands of brightness across her road allthe way home. They seemed bands of joy to Daisy. 

Preston had gallopped ahead and was at the door ready to meet her. "Whatkept you so long at that dismal place?" he asked as he handed her out ofthe chaise. 

"You were back very soon from the Fish place, I think, " said Daisy. 

"Yes--Alexander was not at home; there was no use in my staying. Butwhat were you doing all that while, Daisy?"

"It was not so very long, " said Daisy. "I did not think it was a longtime. You must have deceived yourself. "

"But do you not mean to tell me what you were about? What _could_ youdo, at such a place?"

Daisy stood on the piazza, in all the light of the afternoon sunbeams, looking and feeling puzzled. How much was it worth while to try to tellPreston of her thoughts and wishes?

"What was the attraction, Daisy? only tell me that. Dirt and ignoranceand rudeness and disorder--and you contented to be in the midst of it!Down in the dirt! What was the attraction?"

"She is very unhappy, Preston. "

"I don't believe it. Nonsense! All that is not misery to such people, unless you make it so by shewing them something different. Marble tablesare not the thing for them, Daisy. "

"Marble tables!" echoed Daisy. 

"Nor fuchsias and geraniums either. That old thing's old flowers do justas well. "

Daisy was silent. She could have answered this. Preston went on. 

"She won't be any better with her garden full of roses and myrtles, thanshe is with her sunflowers now. What do you expect to do, little Daisy?"

"I know what I would like if I were in her place, " said Daisy. 

"_You_, --but she is not you. She has not your tastes. Do you mean tocarry her a silver cup and fork, Daisy? You would certainly like that, if you were in her place. Dear little Daisy, don't you be a madphilosopher. "

But Daisy had not been thinking of silver cups and forks, and she wasnot misled by this argument. 

"Daisy, do you see you have been under a mistake?"

"No, Preston, "--she said looking up at him. 

"Daisy, do you think it is _right_ for you to go into houses and amongpeople where my uncle and aunt do not wish you to go? You know they donot wish it, though they have given consent perhaps because you were soset upon it. "

Daisy glanced behind her, at the windows of the library; for they wereat the back entrance of the house; and then seizing Preston's hand andsaying, "Come with me, " she drew him down the steps and over the grasstill she reached one of the garden seats under the trees, out of hearingof any one. There they sat down; Preston curious, Daisy serious and evendoubtful. 

"Preston"--she began with all her seriousness upon her, --"I wish I hadthe book here, but I will tell you. When the Lord Jesus comes again inglory, and all the angels with him, he will have all the people beforehim, and he will separate them into two sets. One will be on the rightand one on the left. One set will be the people that belong to him, andthe other set will be the people that do not belong to him. Then he willwelcome the first set, and bless them, because they have done things tothe poor and miserable such as they would have liked to have done tothemselves. And he will say--'Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of theleast of these, ye have done it unto me. '" Daisy's eyes were full ofwater by this time. 

"So you are working to gain heaven, Daisy?" said Preston, who did notknow how to answer her. 

"O no!" said the child. "I don't mean that. "

"Yes, you do. "

"No, --that would be doing it for oneself, not for the Lord Jesus"--saidDaisy gravely looking at Preston. 

"Then I don't see what you mean by your story. "

"I mean only, that Jesus likes to have us do to other people what wewould want in their place. "

"Suppose you were in my aunt and uncle's place--do you not think youwould like to have a little daughter regard their wishes?"

Daisy looked distressed. 

"I think it is time to go in and get ready for dinner, Preston, " shesaid. 

If she was distressed, Preston was displeased. They went in without anymore words. But Daisy was not perplexed at all. She had not toldPreston her innermost thought and hope--that Molly Skelton might learnthe truth and be one of that blessed throng on the right hand in theGreat Day; but the thought and hope were glowing at her heart; and shethought she must carry her Master's message, if not positivelyforbidden, to all whom she could carry it to. Preston's meditations weredifferent. 

"I have tried my best, " he said that evening when Daisy was gone tobed, --"and I have failed utterly. I tried my best--and all I got was arebuke and a sermon. "

"A sermon!" said Mrs. Randolph. 

"An excellent one, aunt Felicia. It was orderly, serious, and pointed. "

"And she went to that place?"

"Yes, ma'am. The sermon was afterwards. "

"What do you mean, Preston! Speak intelligibly. "

"Daisy did, ma'am. I am speaking sober truth, aunt Felicia. "

"What is her motive in going to that horrid place? can you understand?"

"Its disagreeableness, ma'am--so far as I can make out. "

"It is very singular, " said Mrs. Gary. 

"It is very deplorable. " said Mrs. Randolph. "So at least it seems tome. There will be nothing in common soon between Daisy and her family. "

"Only that this kind of thing is apt to wear out, my dear. You have thatcomfort. "

"No comfort at all. You do not know Daisy. She is a persistent child. She has taken a dose of fanaticism enough to last her for years. "

"I am sure nevertheless that Dr. Sandford is right in his advice, " saidMr. Randolph;--"both as a physician and as a philosopher. By far thebest way is not to oppose Daisy, and take as little notice as possibleof her new notions. They will fade out. "

"I do not believe it, " said the lady "I do not believe it in the least. If she had not your support, I would have an end of this folly in amonth. "

"Indirect ways"--said Mrs. Gary--"indirect ways, my dear; those are yourbest chance. Draw off Daisy's attention with other things. That is whatI would do. "

And then the ladies put their heads together and concerted a scheme;Preston joining eagerly in the discussion, and becoming themanager-in-chief intrusted with its execution. Mr. Randolph heard, buthe gave no help and made no suggestion. He let the ladies alone. 

CHAPTER XII. 

Daisy came down to breakfast the next morning, looking so very brightand innocent and fresh, that perhaps Mr. Randolph thought his wife andsister were taking unnecessary trouble upon themselves. At least Mrs. Randolph so interpreted his manner, as she saw him put his arm roundDaisy and bend down his head to hers. The gay visitors were still atMelbourne, but they had not come down yet to breakfast that morning. 

"Did you go to see your old woman yesterday?" Mr. Randolph said. 

"Yes, papa. "

"Did you enjoy your visit?"

"Very much, papa. "

Mrs. Randolph's head made a motion of impatience, which however thosetwo did not see. 

"How was that, Daisy? I do not comprehend in this instance the sourcesof pleasure. "

"Papa"--said Daisy hesitating--"I think I _gave_ pleasure. "

She could not explain to him much more, but Mr. Randolph at leastunderstood that. He gave Daisy another kiss, which was not disapproving, the child felt. So her breakfast was extremely happy. 

She had a new plan in her head now about Molly. She wanted to getestablished on the footing of a friend in that poor little house; andshe thought she had better perhaps not confine her line of advance tothe garden. After breakfast she sought the housekeeper's room, and letJoanna know that she was in want of a nice little cake of some sort tocarry to a poor creature who could make nor buy none. Daisy was a greatfavourite with Miss Underwood, especially ever since the night when shehad been summoned in her night dress to tell the child about the wordsof the minister that day. Joanna never said "no" to Daisy if it waspossible to say "yes;" nor considered anything a trouble that Daisyrequired. On this occasion, she promised that exactly what Daisy wantedshould be in readiness by the afternoon; and having thus secured herarrangements Daisy went with a perfectly light heart to see what themorning was to bring forth. 

"Daisy!" shouted Preston as she was going down the piazzasteps, --"Daisy! where are you bound?"

"Out--" said Daisy, who was vaguely seeking the September sunshine. 

"Well, 'out' is as good as anywhere. Wait till I get my hat. Come, Daisy!--we have business on hand. "

"What business?" said Daisy, as she was led along through the trees. 

"Great business, " said Preston, --"only I shall want help, Daisy--I wanta great deal of help. I cannot manage it alone. Wait till we get to areal good place for a talk. --Here, this will do. Now sit down. "

"How pretty it is to-day!" said Daisy. 

For indeed the river opposite them looked a bright sheet of glass; andthe hills were blue in the morning light, and the sunshine everywherewas delightsome. The beautiful trees of Melbourne waved overhead;American elms hung their branches towards the ground; lindens stood inmasses of luxuriance; oaks and chestnuts spotted the rolling ground withtheir round heads; and English elms stood up great towers of green. TheSeptember sun on all this and on the well kept greensward; no wonderDaisy said it was pretty. But Preston was too full of his business. 

"Now, Daisy, we have got a great deal to do!"

"Have we?" said Daisy. 

"It is this. Aunt Felicia has determined that she will give a party intwo or three weeks. "

"A party! But I never have anything to do with parties--mamma'sparties--Preston. "

"No. But with this one I think you have. "

"How can I?" said Daisy. She was very pleasantly unconcerned as yet, andonly enjoying the morning and Preston and the trees and the sunshine. 

"Why, little Daisy, I have got to furnish part of the entertainment; andI can't do it without you. "

Daisy looked now. 

"Aunt Felicia wants me to get up some tableaux. "

"Some what?" said Daisy. 

"Tableaux. Tableaux vivants. Pictures, Daisy; made with living people. "

"What do you mean, Preston?"

"Why we will choose some pictures, some of the prettiest pictures we canfind; and then we will dress up people to represent all the figures, andplace them just as the figures are grouped in the engraving; and thenthey look like a most beautiful large painted picture. "

"But pictures do not move?"

"No more do the people. They hold still and do not stir, any more thanif they were not real. "

"I should think they would look like people though, and not like apicture, " said Daisy. "No matter how still you were to keep, I shouldnever fancy you were painted. "

"No, " said Preston laughing; "but you do not understand. The room wherethe spectators are is darkened, and the lights for the picture are allset on one side, just as the light comes in the picture; and then it alllooks just right. And the picture is seen behind a frame too, of thefolding doors or something. "

Daisy sat looking at Preston, a little curious but not at all excited. 

"So I shall want your help, Daisy. "

"About what?"

"First, to choose what pictures we will have. We must look over all thebooks of engravings in the house, and see what would do. Shall we go atit?"

Daisy consented. They repaired to the library and took position by alarge portfolio of engravings. 

"'Fortitude'! Capital!" cried Preston as he turned over the first sheetin the portfolio. "Capital, Daisy! That's for you. You would make anexcellent 'Fortitude. '"

"I!--" said Daisy. 

"Capital--couldn't be better. This is Sir Joshua Reynolds''Fortitude'--and you will do for it wonderfully well. You have half thelook of it now. Only you must be a little more stern. "

"Why must Fortitude look stern?" said Daisy. 

"O, because she has hard work to do, I suppose. "

"What is Fortitude, Preston?"

"O Daisy, Daisy! are you going through life like that? Why you'll turnall your play into work. "

"Why?--But what _is_ it?"

"Fortitude? Why it is, let me see, --it is the power of endurance. "

"The power of bearing pain, Daisy, " said Mr. Randolph, who was walkingthrough the room. 

"I do not think Fortitude ought to look stern. "

"The old gentleman thought so. I suppose he knew. You must, anyhow, --like the picture. "

"But Preston, how could I look like that? My dresses are not made so. "

"I hope not!" said Preston laughing. "But Daisy, we'll get some of auntFelicia's riggings and feathers and set you out in style. "

"But you can't put feathers on my head like those, " said Daisy. "Theywouldn't stay on. And I don't see why Fortitude should be dressed infeathers. "

"Why it is the crest of her helmet, Daisy! Fortitude must have somethingstrong about her, somewhere, and I suppose her head is as good a placeas any. We'll make a helmet for you. And I will make Dolce lie down atyour feet for the lion. "

"You couldn't, Preston. "

"I could make him do anything. " Dolce was Preston's dog; a great shaggySt. Bernard. 

"Well!--" said Daisy with a half sigh. 

"I think you'll make a beautiful Fortitude. Now let us see what next. That is for one. "

"How many pictures do you want?" said Daisy. 

"O a good many. Plenty, or it wouldn't be worth taking all the trouble, and shutting the people up in a dark room. 'Alfred in the neat-herd'scottage'--getting a scolding for his burnt cakes. How splendid thatwould be if we could get Dr. Sandford to be Alfred!"

"Who would be that scolding old woman?"

"No matter, because we can't get Dr. Sandford. We are not to have grownfolks at all. It is a pity Ransom is not here. We shall have to getAlexander Fish--or Hamilton! Hamilton will do. He's a good lookingfellow. "

"You would do a great deal better, " said Daisy. "And Alexander would notdo at all. He has not a bit the look of a king about him. "

"I must be that old man with the bundle of sticks on his head, " saidPreston, who was however immensely flattered. 

"But his beard?" said Daisy. 

"O I'll put that on. A false beard is easy. You won't know me, Daisy. That will be an excellent picture. See that girl blowing the burnt cakesand making her face into a full moon!"

"Will you have her in the picture?"

"Certainly! Most assuredly. "

"But, who will you get to do that, Preston?"

"Nora Dinwiddie, I reckon. "

"Will _she_ come?"

"We shall want all we can get. All Mrs. Stanfield's young ones, and Mrs. Fish's and Linwood's and everybody. Now Daisy, here you are! This is thevery thing. "

"For what?" said Daisy. 

"Don't you see? For you. This is Queen Esther before Ahasuerus--you knowthe story?"

"O yes!--when he stretched out the golden sceptre to her. She isfainting, isn't she?"

"Exactly. You can do that glorious, because you have always a pair ofpale cheeks on hand. "

"I?"--said Daisy again. "Do you want me to be two things?"

"A dozen things, perhaps. You must be Queen Esther at any rate. Nobodybut you. "

"And who will be Ahasuerus?"

"I don't know. Hamilton Rush, I reckon; he's a nice fellow. "

"O Preston, why don't you be Ahasuerus?"

"I am manager, you know, Daisy; it won't do for the manager to take thebest pieces for himself. Ahasuerus is one of the best. See how handsomethe dress is--and the attitude, and everything. "

"I don't see where you will find the dresses, " said Daisy. "All thoseare robes of silk and velvet and fur; and then the jewels, Preston!"

"Nonsense, Daisy. Aunt Felicia will let us take all her stores of satinsand velvets and feathers and jewellery too. It won't hurt them to belooked at. "

"I think, " said Daisy slowly, --"I think I will not be Queen Esther. "

"Why not? don't you like her looks?"

"O yes. _That's_ no matter; but I would rather somebody else would beit. "

"Why, little Daisy? You are the one; nobody can be Esther but you. "

"I think I will not, " said Daisy thoughtfully. 

"What's the matter, Daisy? You _must_. I want you for Esther and nobodyelse. What is the objection?"

"I would rather not, " said Daisy. "I don't know Hamilton Rush much. "

This was said with extreme demureness, and Preston bit his lips almosttill the blood came to prevent the smile which would have startledDaisy. 

"You won't know him at all when he is dressed and with his crown on. It's all a play. You can imagine he is the real old Persian king, wholooked so fiercely on the beautiful Jewess when she ventured unsummonedinto his presence. "

"I could not stand like that, " said Daisy. 

"Yes, you could. That's easy. You are fainting in the arms of yourattendants. "

"Who will the attendants be?"

"I don't know. Who do you think?"

"I think I would rather not be in this picture, --" said Daisy. 

"Yes, you will. I want you. It is too good to be given to somebody else. It is one of the prettiest pictures we shall have, I reckon. "

"Then you must be the king. "

"Well--we will see, " said Preston. "What comes next? 'Canute and hiscourtiers. ' That won't do, because we could not have the sea in. "

"Nor the horse, " said Daisy. 

"Not very well. --What a stupid collection of portraits! Nothing butportraits. "--

"There are fortune tellers. "

"That won't do--not interest enough. There! here's one. 'Little RedRiding-hood. ' That will be beautiful for you, Daisy. "

"But Preston, I mustn't be everything. "

"Plenty more things coming. You don't like Red Riding-hood? Then we willgive it to Nora or Ella. "

"O like it, " said Daisy. "I like it much better than Esther--unless youwill play Ahasuerus. "

"Well I will put you down for both of 'em. "

"But who's to be anything else?"

"Lots. Here. --Splendid! 'Marie Antoinette' going from the revolutionarytribunal--that will be capital. "

"Who will take that?" said Daisy. 

"Let me see. I think--I think, Daisy, it must be Theresa Stanfield. Sheis a clever girl, and it must be a clever girl to do this. "

"But she will not look as old as she ought. "

"Yes she will, when she is dressed. I know who will be our dresser, too;Mrs. Sandford. "

"Will she?" said Daisy. 

"Yes. She knows how, I know. You and I must go and give invitations, Daisy. "

"Mamma will send the invitations. "

"Yes, of course, to the party; but we have got to beat up recruits andget contributions for the tableaux. You and I must do that. I engaged totake all the trouble of the thing from aunt Felicia. "

"Contributions, Preston?"

"Of people, Daisy. People for the tableaux. We must have all we canmuster. "

"I can't see how you will make Theresa Stanfield look like that. "

"_I_ cannot, " said Preston laughing, --"but Mrs. Sandford will do partand Theresa herself will do the other part. She will bring her faceround, you will see. The thing is, who will be that ugly old woman whois looking at the queen with such eyes of coarse fury--I think I shallhave to be that old woman. "

"You, Preston!" And Daisy went off into a fit of amusement. "Can youmake your eyes look with coarse fury?"

"You shall see. That's a good part. I should not like to trust it toanybody else. Alexander and Hamilton Rush will have to be the Queen'sguards--how we want Ransom. Charley Linwood is too small. There'sGeorge, though. "

"What does that woman look at the queen so for?"

"Wants to see her head come down--which it did soon after. "

"Her head come down?"--

"It had come down pretty well then, when the proud, beautiful queen wasexposed to the looks and insults of the rabble. But they wanted to seeit come down on the scaffold. "

"What had she been doing, to make them hate her?"

"She had been a queen;--and they had made up their minds that nobodyought to be queen, or anything else but rabble; so her head must comeoff. A great many other heads came off; for the same reason. "

"Preston, I don't think the poor would hate that kind of thing so, ifthe rich people behaved right. "

"How do you think rich people ought to behave?" said Preston gravely, turning over the engravings. 

Daisy's old puzzle came back on her; she was silent. 

"Common people always hate the uncommon, Daisy. Now what next?--Ah! hereis what will do. This is beautiful. "

"What is it?"

"Portia and Bassanio. He has just got that letter, you know. "

"What letter?"

"Why, Antonio's letter. O don't you know the story? Bassanio wasAntonio's friend, and--O dear, it is a long story, Daisy. You must readit. "

"But what is the picture about?"

"This. Bassanio has just this minute been married to Portia, --theloveliest lady in all the world; that he knew of; and now comes aletter, just that minute, telling him that his dear friend Antonio is ingreat danger of being cut to pieces through the wickedness of a fellowthat he had borrowed money from. And the money had been borrowed forBassanio, to set him up for his courtship--so no wonder he feels ratherbad. "

"Does she know?"

"No; she is just asking what is the matter. That will be a capitalpicture. "

"But you couldn't stand and look like that, " said Daisy. 

"I shall not, " said Preston, "but Hamilton Rush will. I shall give it tohim. And--let me see--for Portia--that Fish girl cannot do it, she isnot clever enough. It will have to be Theresa Stanfield. "

"I should like to see anybody look like _that_, " said Daisy. 

"Well, you will. We shall have to go to another book ofengravings. --Hollo! here you are again, Daisy. This will do for youexactly. Exactly!"

"What is it?"

"Why Daisy, these are two old Puritans; young ones, I mean, of course;and they are very fond of each other, you know, but somehow they don'tknow it. Or one of them don't, and he has been goose enough to come toask Priscilla if she will be his friend's wife. Of course she isastonished at him. "

"She does not look astonished. "

"No, that is because she is a Puritan. She takes it all quietly, onlyshe says she has an objection to be this other man's wife. And then Johnfinds what a fool he is. That's capital. You shall be Priscilla; youwill do it and look it beautifully. "

"I do not think I want to be Priscilla, "--said Daisy slowly. 

"Yes, you do. You will. It will make such a beautiful picture. I reckonAlexander Fish will make a good John Alden--he has nice curly hair. "

"So have you, " said Daisy; "and longer than Alexander's, and more likethe picture. "

"I am manager, Daisy. That wouldn't do. "

"I shall not be in that picture if Alexander is the other one, " saidDaisy. 

"Well--we will see. But Daisy, it is only playing pictures, you know. Itwill not be Daisy and Alexander Fish--not at all--it will be Priscillaand John Alden. "

"_I_ should think it was Alexander Fish, " said Daisy. 

Preston laughed. 

"But Preston, what is that word you said just now?--what is a Puritan?"

"I don't know. I think you are one. I do not know another. "

"You said these were Puritans?"

"Yes, so they were. They were very good people, Daisy, that likedwearing plain dresses. We shall have to have a stuff dress made foryou--I reckon you have not one of anything like a Puritan cut. "

"Then how am I a Puritan, Preston?"

"Sure enough. I mean that you would be one, if you got a chance. Howmany pictures have we chosen out?--Six? That is not half enough. "

The search went on, through other books and portfolios. There was goodstore of them in Mr. Randolph's library, and Daisy and Preston were verybusy the whole morning till luncheon time. After Daisy's dinner, however, her mind took up its former subject of interest. She went toJoanna, and was furnished with a nice little sponge cake and a basketof sickle pears for Molly Skelton. Daisy forgot all about tableaux. Thiswas something better. She ordered the pony chaise and got ready fordriving. 

"Hollo, Daisy!" said Preston as she came out upon the piazza;--"whatnow?"

"I am going out. "

"With me. "

"No, I have business, Preston. "

"So have I; a business that cannot wait, either. We must go and drum upour people for the tableaux, Daisy. We haven't much time to prepare, andlots of things to do. "

"What?"

"First, arrange about the parts everybody is to take; and then thedresses, and then practising. "

"Practising what, Preston?"

"Why, the pictures! We cannot do them at a dash, all right; we mustdrill, until every one knows exactly how to stand and how to look, andcan do it well. "

"And must the people come here to practise?"

"Of course. Where the pictures and the dresses are, you know. AuntFelicia is to give us her sewing woman for as much time as we want her;and Mrs. Sandford must be here to see about all that; and we must knowimmediately whom we can have, and get them to come. We must go thisafternoon, Daisy. "

"Must I?"

"Certainly. You know--or you would know if you were not a Puritan, little Daisy, that I cannot do the business alone. You are MissRandolph. "

"Did the Puritans not know much?" inquired Daisy. 

"Nothing--about the ways of the world. "

Daisy looked at the pony chaise, at the blue hills, at her basket ofpears; and yielding to what seemed necessity, gave up Molly for thatday. She went with Preston, he on horseback, she in her pony chaise, anda very long afternoon's work they made of it. And they did not getthrough the work, either. But by dint of hearing the thing talked over, and seeing the great interest excited among the young folks, Daisy'smind grew pretty full of the pictures before the day was ended. It wasso incomprehensible, how Theresa Stanfield could ever bring her merry, arch face into the grave proud endurance of the deposed French queen; itwas so puzzling to imagine Hamilton Rush, a fine, good-humoured fellow, something older than Preston, transformed into the grand and awfulfigure of Ahasuerus; and Nora was so eager to know what part _she_ couldtake; and Mrs. Sandford entered into the scheme with such utter goodnature and evident competence to manage it. Ella Stanfield's eyes grewvery wide open; and Mrs. Fish was full of curiosity, and the Linwoodswere tumultuous. 

"We shall have to tame those fellows down, " Preston remarked as he andDaisy rode away from this last place, --"or they will upset everything. Why cannot people teach people to take things quietly!"

"How much that little one wanted to be Red Riding-hood, " said Daisy. 

"Yes. Little Malapert!"

"You will let her, won't you?"

"I reckon I won't. You are to be Red Riding-hood--unless, --I don't know;perhaps that would be a good one to give Nora Dinwiddie. I shall see. "

That day was gone. The next day there was a great overhauling, byPreston and his mother and Daisy, of the stores of finery which Mrs. Randolph put at their disposal. Mrs. Randolph herself would have nothingto do with the arrangements; she held aloof from the bustle attendingthem; but facilities and materials she gave with unsparing hand. Daisywas very much amused. Mrs. Gary and Preston had a good deal ofconsultation over the finery, having at the same time the engravingsspread out before them. Such stores of satin and lace robes, and velvetmantles, and fur wrappings and garnishings, and silken scarfs, andvarieties of adornment old and new, were gathered into one room anddisplayed, that it almost tired Daisy to look at them. Nevertheless shewas amused. And she was amused still more, when later in the day, afterluncheon, Mrs. Sandford arrived and was taken up into the tiring room, as Preston called it. Here she examined the pictures and made a carefulsurvey of the articles with which she must work to produce the desiredeffects. Some of the work was easy. There was an old cardinal, ofbeautiful red cloth, which doubtless would make up Red Riding-hood withvery little trouble. There were beautiful plumes for Fortitude's head;and Daisy began to wonder how she would look with their stately gracewaving over her. Mrs. Sandford tried it. She arranged the plume onDaisy's head; and with a turn or two of a dark cashmere scarf imitatedbeautifully the classic folds of the drapery in the picture. Then sheput Daisy in the attitude of the figure; and by that time Daisy felt sostrange that her face was stern and grave enough to need no admonishing. Preston clapped his hands. 

"If you will only look like that, Daisy, in the tableau!"

"Look how?" said Daisy. 

"Mrs. Sandford, did you ever see anything so perfect?"

"It is excellent, " said that lady. 

"If they will all do as well, we shall be encored. But there is no dresshere for Bassanio, Mrs. Sandford. "

"You would hardly expect your mother's or your aunt's wardrobe tofurnish that. "

"Hardly. But I am sure uncle Randolph's wardrobe would not do anybetter. It will have to be made. "

"I think I have something at home that will do--something that was usedonce for a kindred purpose. I think I can dress Bassanio--as far as theslashings are concerned. The cap and plume we can manage here--and Idare say your uncle has some of those old-fashioned long silk hose. "

"Did papa ever wear such things?" said Daisy. 

"Portia will be easy, " said Preston, looking round the room. 

"Who is to be Portia?"

"Theresa Stanfield, I believe. "

"That will do very well, I should think. She is fair--suppose we dressher in this purple brocade. "

"Was Portia married in purple?" said Preston. 

Mrs. Sandford laughed a good deal. "Well"--she said--"white if you like;but Theresa will look most like Portia if she wears this brocade. I donot believe white is _de rigueur_ in her case. You know, she went fromthe casket scene to the altar. If she was like me, she did not ventureto anticipate good fortune by putting on a bridal dress till she knewshe would want it. "

"Perhaps that is correct, " said Preston. 

"How come you to know so much about the dresses?" said the lady. "Thatis commonly supposed to be woman's function. "

"I am general manager, Mrs. Sandford, and obliged to act out ofcharacter. "

"You seem to understand yourself very well. Priscilla!--we have no dressfor her. "

"It will have to be made. "

"Yes. Who is there to make it?"

The seamstress was now summoned, and the orders were given forPriscilla's dress, to be made to fit Daisy. It was very amusing, thestrait-cut brown gown, the plain broad vandyke of white muslin, andetceteras that Mrs. Sandford insisted on. 

"She will look the part extremely well. But are you going to give hernothing but Fortitude and Prudence, Preston? is Daisy to do nothinggayer?"

"Yes ma'am--she is to be the queen of the Persian king here--what is hisname? Ahasuerus! She is Esther. "

Daisy opened her lips to say no, but Preston got her into his arms andsoftly put his hand upon her mouth before she could speak the word. Theaction was so coaxing and affectionate, that Daisy stood still, silent, with his arms round her. 

"Queen Esther!" said Mrs. Sandford. "That will tax the utmost of ourresources. Mrs. Randolph will lend us some jewels, I hope, or we cannotrepresent that old Eastern court. "

"Mrs. Randolph will lend us anything--and everything, " said Preston. 

"Then we can make a beautiful tableau. I think Esther must be in white. "

"Yes ma'am--it will lend to the fainting effect. "

"And we must make her brilliant with jewels; and dress her attendants incolours, so as to set her off; but Esther must be a spot of brilliancy. Ahasuerus rich and heavy. This will be your finest tableau, if it isdone well. "

"Alfred will not be bad, " said Preston. 

"In another line. Your part will be easy, Daisy--you must have a pair ofstrong-armed handmaidens. What do you want Nora for, Preston?"

"Could she be one of them, Mrs. Sandford?"

"Yes, --if she can be impressed with the seriousness of the occasion; butthe maids of the queen ought to be wholly in distress for theirmistress, you know. She could be one of the princes in the tower, verynicely. "

"Yes, capitally, " said Preston. "And--Mrs. Sandford--wouldn't she make agood John Alden?"

"Daisy for Priscilla! Excellent!" said Mrs. Sandford. "If the two couldkeep their gravity, which I very much doubt. "

"Daisy can keep anything, " said Preston. "I will tutor Nora. "

"Well, I will help you as much as I can, " said the lady, "But, my boy, this business takes time! I had no notion I had been here so long. Imust run. "

CHAPTER XIII. 

As she made her escape one way, so did Daisy by another. When Prestoncame back from attending Mrs. Sandford to her carriage he could findnothing of his little co-worker. Daisy was gone. 

In all haste and with a little self-reproach for having forgotten it, she had ordered her pony chaise; and then examined into the condition ofher stores. The sponge cake was somewhat dry; the sickle pears wantedlooking over. Part of them were past ripe. Indeed so many of them, thatDaisy found her basket was no longer properly full, when these wereculled out. She went to Joanna. Miss Underwood, soon made that all rightwith some nice late peaches; and Daisy thought with herself that spongecake was very good a little dry and would probably not find severecriticism at Molly's house. She got away without encountering hercousin, much to her satisfaction. 

Molly was not in her garden. That had happened before. Daisy went in, looked at the flowers, and waited. The rose tree was flourishing; thegeranium was looking splendid; with nothing around either of them thatin the least suited their neighbourhood. So Daisy thought. If all theother plants--the ragged balsams and "creeping Charley" and therest--could have been rooted up, then the geranium, and the rose wouldhave shewn well together. However, Molly did not doubtless feel thiswant of suitability; to her the tall sunflower was no question atreasure and a beautiful plant. Would Molly come out!

It seemed as if she would not. No stir, and the closed house doorlooking forbidding and unhopeful. Daisy waited, and waited, and walkedup and down the bit of a path, from the gate quite to the house door; inhopes that the sound of her feet upon the walk might be heard within. Daisy's feet did not make much noise; but however that were, there wasno stir of a sound anywhere else. Daisy was patient; not the less theafternoon was passing away and pretty far gone already, and it was thefirst of October now. The light did not last as long as it did a fewmonths ago. Daisy was late. She must go soon, if she did not see Molly;and to go without seeing her was no part of Daisy's plan. Perhaps Mollywas sick. At any rate, the child's footsteps paused at the door of thepoor little house, and her fingers knocked. She had never been inside ofit yet, and what she saw of the outside was not in the least inviting. The little windows, lined with paper curtains to keep out sunlight andcurious eyes, looked dismal; the weatherboards were unpainted; thelittle porch broken. Daisy did not like such things. But she knockedwithout a bit of fear or hesitation, notwithstanding all this. She wascharged with work to do; so she felt; it was no matter what she mightmeet in the discharge of it. She had her message to carry, and she wasfull of compassionate love to the creature whose lot in life was sounlike her own. Daisy went straight on in her business. 

Her knock got no answer, and still got none though, it was repeated andmade more noticeable. Not a sign of an answer. Daisy softly tried thedoor then to see if it would open. There was no difficulty in that; shepushed it gently and gently stepped in. 

It looked just like what she expected, though Daisy had not gotaccustomed yet to the conditions of such rooms. Just now, she hardly sawanything but Molly. Her eye wandering over the strange place, waspresently caught by the cripple, sitting crouching in a corner of theroom. It was all miserably desolate. The paper shields kept out thelight of the sunbeams; and though the place was tolerably clean, it hada close, musty, disagreeable, shut-up smell. But all Daisy thought of atfirst was the cripple. She went a little towards her. 

"How do you do, Molly?" her little soft voice said. Molly looked glum, and spoke never a word. 

"I have been waiting to see you, " Daisy said, advancing a stepnearer--"and you did not come out. I was afraid you were sick. "

One of Molly's grunts came here. Daisy could not tell what it meant. 

"_Are_ you sick, Molly?"

"It's me and not you"--said the cripple morosely. 

"O I am sorry!" said Daisy tenderly. "I want to bring in something foryou--"

She ran away for her basket. Coming back, she left the door open to letin the sweet air and sun. 

"What is the matter with you, Molly?"

The cripple made no answer, not even a grunt; her eyes were fastened onthe basket. Daisy lifted the cover and brought out her cake, wrapped inpaper. As she unwrapped it and came up to Molly, she saw what she hadnever seen before that minute, --a smile on the cripple's grum face. Itwas not grum now; it was lighted up with a smile, as her eyes dilatedover the cake. 

"I'll have some tea!" she said. 

Daisy put the cake on the table and delivered a peach into Molly's hand. But she lifted her hand to the table and laid the peach there. 

"I'll have some tea. "

"Are you sick, Molly?" said Daisy again; for in spite of thisdeclaration and in spite of her evident pleasure, Molly did not move. 

"I'm aching all through. "

"What is the matter?"

"Aching's the matter--rheumatiz. I'll have some tea. "

"It's nice and warm out in the sun, " Daisy suggested. 

"Can't get there, " said Molly. "Can't stir. I'm all aches all over. "

"How can you get tea, then, Molly? Your fire is quite out. "

"Ache and get it--" said the cripple grumly. 

Daisy could not stand that. She at first thought of calling her groom tomake a fire; but reflected that would be a hazardous proceeding. Mollyperhaps, and most probably, would not allow it. If she would allow_her_, it would be a great step gained. Daisy's heart was so fall ofcompassion she could not but try. There was a little bit of an ironstove in the room, and a tea-kettle, small to match, stood upon it; bothcold of course. 

"Where is there some wood, Molly?" said Daisy over the stove;--"somewood and kindling? I'll try if I can make the fire for you, if you willlet me, please. "

"In there--" said the cripple pointing. 

Daisy looked, and saw nothing but an inner door. Not liking to multiplyquestions, for fear of Molly's patience, she ventured to open the door. There was a sort of shed room, where Daisy found stores of everythingshe wanted. Evidently the neighbours provided so far for the poorcreature, who could not provide for herself. Kindling was there inplenty, and small wood stacked. Daisy got her arms fall and came back tothe stove. By using her eyes carefully she found the matches withoutasking anything, and made the fire, slowly but nicely; Molly meanwhilehaving reached up for her despised peach was making her teeth meet in itwith no evidence of disapprobation. The fire snapped and kindled andbegan immediately to warm up the little stove. Daisy took the kettle andwent into the same lumber shed to look for water. But though an emptytin pail stood there, the water in it was no more than a spoonful. Nothing else held any. Daisy looked out. A worn path in the grassshewed the way to the place where Molly filled her water pail--a, littlebasin of a spring at some distance from the house. Daisy followed thepath to the spring, filled her pail and then her kettle, wondering muchhow Molly ever could crawl to the place in rainy weather; and then shecame in triumphant and set the tea-kettle on the stove. 

"I am very sorry you are sick, Molly, " said Daisy anew. 

Molly only grunted; but she had finished her peach and sat there lickingher fingers. 

"Would you like to see Dr. Sandford? I could tell him. "

"No!"--said the poor thing decidedly. 

"I'll pray to the Lord Jesus to make you well. "

"Humph?"--said Molly, questioning. 

"You know, he can do everything. He can make you well; and I hope hewill. "

"He won't make me well--" said Molly. 

"He will make you happy, if you will pray to him. "

"Happy!" said Molly; as if it were a yet more impossible thing. 

"O yes. Jesus makes everybody happy that loves him. He makes them goodtoo, Molly; he forgives all their sins that they have done; and inheaven he will give them white robes to wear, and they will not do wrongthings nor have any pain any more. "

One of Molly's grunts came now; she did not understand this or could notbelieve. Daisy looked on, pitiful and very much perplexed. 

"Molly, you have a great Friend in heaven, " said the child; "don't youknow it? Jesus loves you. "

"H--n?"--said Molly again. 

"Don't you know what he did, for you and me and everybody?"

Molly's head gave sign of ignorance. So Daisy sat down and told her. She told her the story at length; she painted the love of the fewdisciples, the enmity of the world, the things that infinite tendernesshad done and borne for those who hated goodness and would not obey God. Molly listened, and Daisy talked; bow, she did not know nor Mollyneither; but the good news was told in that poor little house; theunspeakable gift was made known. Seeing Molly's fixed eyes and raptattention, Daisy went on at length and told all. The cripple's gazenever stirred all the while, nor stirred when the story came to an end. She still stared at Daisy. Well she might. 

"Now Molly, " said the child, "I have got a message for you. "

"H--n?" said Molly, more softly. 

"It is from the Lord Jesus. It is in his book. It is a message. Themessage is, that if you will believe in him and be his child, he willforgive you and love you; and then you will go to be with him inheaven. "

"Me?" said Molly. 

"Yes, " said Daisy, nodding her little head with her eyes full of tears. "Yes, you will. Jesus will take you there, and you will wear a whiterobe and a crown of gold, and be with him. "

Daisy paused, and Molly looked at her. How much of the truth got fairentrance into her mind, Daisy could not tell. But after a few minutes ofpause, seeing that Daisy's lips did not open, Molly opened hers and badeher "Go on. "

"I am afraid I haven't time to-day, " said Daisy. "I'll bring my booknext time and read you the words. Can you read, Molly?"

"Read? no!"--

Whether Molly knew what reading was, may be questioned. 

"Molly, " said Daisy lowering her tone in her eagerness, --"would youlike to learn to read yourself?--then, when I am not here, you could seeit all in the book. Wouldn't you like it?"

"Where's books?" said the cripple. 

"I will bring the book. And now I must go. "

For Daisy knew that a good while had passed; she did not know how longit was. Before going, however, she went to see about the fire in thestove. It was burnt down to a few coals; and the kettle was boiling. Daisy could not leave it so. She fetched more wood and put in, with alittle more kindling; and then, leaving it all right, she was going tobid Molly good-bye, when she saw that the poor cripple's head had sunkdown on her arms. She looked in that position so forlorn, so lonely andmiserable, that Daisy's heart misgave her. She drew near. 

"Molly--" said her sweet little voice, "would you like your tea now? thewater is boiling. "

Molly signified that she would. 

"Would you like to have me make it?" said Daisy doubtfully, quite afraidof venturing too far or too fast. But she need not have been afraid. Molly only pointed with her finger to a wall cupboard and said asbefore, --"In there. "

The way was clear for Daisy, time or no time. She went to the cupboard. It was not hard to find the few things which Molly had in constant use. The tea-pot was there, and a paper of tea. Daisy made the tea, with agood deal of pleasure and wonder; set it to draw, and brought outMolly's cup and saucer and plate and knife and spoon. A little sugar shefound too; not much. She put these things on the low table which wasmade to fit Molly's condition. She could have it before her as she saton the floor. 

"I don't see any milk for your tea, Molly. "

"Milk? no. It's all gone, " said Molly. 

"I am sorry. You'll have to take your tea without milk then. Here it is. I hope it is good. "

Daisy poured out a cup, set the sugar beside it, and cut slices ofsponge cake. She was greatly pleased at being allowed to do it. Mollytook it as a very natural thing, and Daisy sat down to enjoy theoccasion a few minutes longer, and also to give such attentions as shecould. 

"Won't you have some?" said Molly. 

"No, I thank you. Mamma does not let me drink tea, except when I amsick. "

Molly had discharged her conscience, and gave herself now to her ownenjoyment. One cup of tea was a mere circumstance; Daisy filled andrefilled it; Molly swallowed the tea as if cupfuls had been mouthfuls. It was a subject of question to Daisy whether the poor creature had hadany other meal that day; so eager she was, and so difficult to satisfywith the sponge cake. Slice after slice; and Daisy cut more, and put atiny fresh pinch of tea into the tea-pot, and waited upon her withinexpressible tenderness and zeal. Molly exhausted the tea-pot and leftbut a small remnant of the cake. Daisy was struck with a sudden fearthat she might have been neglected and really want things to eat. Howcould she find out?

"Where shall I put this, Molly?" she said, taking the plate with themorsel of cake. "Where does it go?"

"In there--" said Molly. 

"Here?--or here?" touching the two doors of the cupboard. 

"'Tother one. "

So Daisy opened the other door of the cupboard, just what she wanted todo. And there she saw indeed some remnants of food, but nothing morethan remnants; a piece of dry bread and a cold muffin, with a small bitof boiled pork. Daisy took but a glance, and came away. The plate andcup and saucer she set in their place; bid good-bye to Molly, and ranout. 

Time indeed! The sun was sending long slant bright beams against thecottage-windows and over the pony chaise, and the groom had got thepony's head turned for home, evidently under the impression that Daisywas staying a long time. A little fearful of consequences if she gothome after sundown, Daisy gathered up her reins and signified to Loupethat he was expected to move with some spirit. 

But Daisy was very happy. She was thoroughly at home now with Molly; shewas fairly admitted within the house and welcome there; and already shehad given comfort. She had almost done as Nora said; as near as possibleshe had taken tea with Molly. Besides, Daisy had found out what more todo for her. She thought of that poor cupboard with mixed feelings; notpity only; for next day she would bring supplies that were reallyneeded. Some nice bread and butter--Daisy had seen no sign ofbutter, --and some meat. Molly needed a friend to look after her wants, and Daisy now had the freedom of the house and could do it; and joyfullyshe resolved that she would do it, so long as her own stay at Melbourneshould be prolonged. What if her getting home late should bring on acommand that would put a stop to all this!

But nobody was on the piazza or in the library when she got home. Daisywent safely to her own room. There was June all ready to dress her; andmaking good speed, that business was finished and Daisy ready to go downto the dinner-table at the usual time. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

She was a little afraid of questions at the dinner-table; but ithappened that the older people were interested about some matter oftheir own and she was not noticed at all. Except in a quiet way by Mr. Randolph, who picked out nuts for her; and Daisy took them and thoughtjoyfully of carrying a testament to Molly's cottage and teaching her toread it. If she could do but that--Daisy thought she would be happy. 

The evening was spent by her and Preston over engravings again. Some newones were added to the stock already chosen for tableaux; and Prestondebated with her very eagerly the various questions of characters anddresses. Daisy did not care how he arranged them, provided she only wasnot called upon to be Priscilla to Alexander Fish, or Esther to HamiltonRush. "I will not, Preston--" she insisted quietly; and Preston was indifficulty; for as he truly said, it would not do to give himself allthe best pieces. 

The next day, after luncheon, a general conclave assembled, of all theyoung people, to determine the respective parts and hold a littlerehearsal by way of beginning. Mrs. Sandford was there too, but no othergrown person was admitted. Preston had certainly a troublesome anddelicate office in his capacity of manager. 

"What are you going to give me, Preston?" said Mrs. Stanfield's livelydaughter, Theresa. 

"You must be Portia. "

"Portia? let me see--O that's lovely! How will you dress me, Mrs. Sandford? I must be very splendid--I have just been married, and I amworth any amount of splendour. Who's to be Bassanio?--"

"George Linwood, I think. He must have dark hair, you know. "

"What are wigs good for?" said Theresa. "But he has nothing to do but tohold the letter and throw himself backward--he's surprised, you know, and people don't stand straight when they are surprised. Only that, andto look at Portia. I guess he can do it. Once fix him and he'llstay--that's one thing. How will you dress Portia, Mrs. Sandford? Ah, let me dress her!"

"Not at all; you must be amenable to authority. Miss Stanfield, likeeverybody else. "

"But what will you put on her, Mrs. Sandford? The dress is Portia. "

"No, by no means; you must look with a very delicate expression, MissTheresa. Your face will be the picture. "

"My face will depend on my dress, I know. What will it be, Mrs. Sandford?"

"I will give you a very heavy and rich purple brocade. "

"Jewels?"

"Of course. Mrs. Randolph lets us have whatever we want. "

"That will do!" said Theresa, clapping her hands softly. "I am made up. What are you going to do with Frederica?"

"She has a great part. She must be Marie Antoinette going from therevolutionary tribunal. "

"De la Roche's picture!" said Theresa. 

"She's not dressed at all"--remarked Frederica coldly looking at theengraving. 

"Marie Antoinette needed no dress, you know, " Theresa answered. 

"But she isn't handsome there. "

"You will be standing for her, " said Mrs. Sandford. "The attitude isvery striking, in its proud, indignant impassiveness. You will do thatwell. I must dress your hair carefully, but you have just the right hairand plenty of it. "

"Don't she flatter her!" whispered Theresa to Preston;--then aloud, "How will you make up the rest of the tableau, Preston?"

"I am going to be that old cross-eyed woman--Alexander will be one ofthe guards--George Linwood another, I think. Hamilton Rush must shakehis fist at the queen over my head; and Theresa, you must be this nicelittle French girl, looking at her unfortunate sovereign with weepingeyes. Can you get a tear on your cheek?"

"Might take an uncommon strong spoonful of mustard--" said Theresa--"Isuppose that would do it. But you are not going to let the spectatorscome so near as to see drops of tears, I hope?"

"No matter--your eyes and whole expression would be affected by themustard; it would tell, even at a distance. "

When they got through laughing, some one asked, "What is Daisy to be?"

"O, she is to be Priscilla here--I thought nobody but Daisy would careabout being a Puritan; but it is her chosen character. "

"It'll be a pretty tableau, " said Theresa. 

"And what am I to be, Preston?" said Nora. 

"You are to be several things. You and Ella must be the two youngprinces in the tower. "

"What tower?" said Nora. 

There was another general laugh, and then Daisy, who was well at home inEnglish history, pulled her little friend aside to whisper to her thestory and shew her the picture. 

"What are those men going to do?" said Nora. 

"They are going to kill the little princes. They have got a featherbedor something there, and they are going to smother them while they areasleep. "

"But I don't want the featherbed on top of me!" said Nora. 

"No, no, --it is not to come down on you; but that is the picture; theywill hold it just so; it will not come down. "

"But suppose they should let it fall?"

"They will not let it fall. The picture is to have it held just so, asif they were going to smother the poor little princes the next minute. "

"I think it is a horrid picture!" said Nora. 

"But it will only last a little while. All you will have to do will beto make believe you are asleep. "

"I don't want to make believe I am asleep. I would rather have my eyesopen. What else am I going to be, Daisy?"

"Preston will tell. I believe--you are to be one of Queen Esther'swomen, to hold her up when she fainted, you know. "

"Let me see. Where is it?"

Daisy obtained the picture. Nora examined it critically. 

"I would like to be the king, he is so handsome. Who will be the queen?"

"I don't know yet, " said Daisy. 

"Are you going to have any part where you will be dressed up?"

"We shall have to be dressed for them all. We cannot wear our owndresses, you know; it would not be a picture. "

"But, I mean, are you going to be dressed up with nice things?--not likethis. "

"This will be dressed up, " said Daisy; "she will be very nicelydressed--to be one of the queen's ladies, you know. "

"Daisy! Daisy!--" was now called from the larger group ofcounsel-takers, Daisy and Nora having separated themselves for theirprivate discourse. "Daisy! look here--come here! see what you are to be. You are to be an angel. "

"You are to be an angel, Daisy, " Theresa repeated, --"with wonderfulwings made of gauze on a light frame of whalebone. "

Daisy came near, looking very attentive; if she felt any more she didnot shew it in her face. 

"Daisy, you will do it delightfully, " said Mrs. Sandford. "Come andlook. It is this beautiful picture of the Game of Life. "

"What is it, ma'am?" said Daisy. 

"These two figures, you see, are playing a game of chess. The stake theyare playing for, is this young man's soul; he is one of the players, andthis other player is the evil one. The arch-fiend thinks he has got agood move; the young man is very serious but perplexed; and there standshis guardian angel watching how the game will go. "

Daisy looked at the picture in silence of astonishment. It seemed to herimpossible that anybody could play at such a subject as that. 

"Whom will you have for the fiend, Preston?" the lady went on. 

"I will do it myself, ma'am, I think. "

Daisy's "Oh no, Preston!"--brought down such a shower of laughter on allsides, that she retreated into herself a little further than ever. Theypursued the subject for a while, discussing the parts and the making ofthe angel's wings; deciding that Daisy would do excellently well for theangel and would look the part remarkably. 

"She has a good deal that sort of expression in ordinary times, " saidMrs. Sandford--"without the sadness; and that she can assume, I daysay. "

"I would rather not do it--" Daisy was heard to say very gently but verysoberly. There was another laugh. 

"Do what, Daisy? assume a look of sadness?" said Preston. 

"I would rather not be the angel. "

"Nobody else could do it so well, " said Mrs. Sandford. "You are the veryone to do it. It will be admirable. "

"_I_ should like to be the angel--" murmured Nora, low enough to have noone's attention but Daisy's. The rest were agreeing that the picturewould be excellent and had just the right performers assigned to it. Daisy was puzzled. It seemed to her that Nora had a general desire foreverything. 

"Ella will be one of the princes in the tower, " Preston went on. "Norawill be Red Riding-Hood. "

"I won't be Red Riding Hood--" said Nora. 

"Why not? Hoity, toity!"

"It isn't pretty. And it has no pretty dress. "

"Why, it is beautiful, " said Mrs. Sandford; "and the dress is to be madewith an exquisite red cashmere cardinal of Mrs. Randolph's. You willmake the best Red Riding-Hood here. Though Daisy would be more like thelamb the wolf was after, "--continued the lady appealing to the manager;"and you might change. Who is to be queen Esther? Nora would do thatwell--with her black eyes and hair--she is more of a Jewess than anyother of them. "

"Esther is fainting, " said Preston. "Daisy's paleness will suit thatbest. Nora could not look faint. "

"Yes, I could, " said that damsel promptly. 

"You shall blow the cakes that Alfred has let burn, " said Preston. "Capital! Look here, Nora. You shall be that girl taking up the burntcakes and blowing to cool them; and you may look as fierce as you like. You will get great applause if you do that part well. Eloïse is goingto be the scolding old woman. She and I divide the old women betweenus. "

"Too bad, Preston!" said Mrs. Sandford laughing. "What else are yougoing to be?"

"I am going to be one of those fellows coming to murder the littleprinces. "

"Who is Bassanio?"

"Hamilton says he will undertake that. George declines. "

"Suppose we do some work, instead of so much talking, " said the formerperson; who had hitherto been a very quiet spectator and listener. "Letus have a little practice. We shall want a good deal before we getthrough. "

All agreed; agreed also that something in the shape of artisticdraperies was needed for the practice. "It helps"--as Hamilton Rushremarked. So Daisy went to desire the attendance of June with all thescarfs, mantles and shawls which, could be gathered together. As Daisywent, she thought that she did not wish Nora to be queen Esther; she wasglad Preston was firm about that. 

The practising of Bassanio and Portia was so very amusing that shefairly forgot herself in laughter. So did everybody else; except Mrs. Sandford, who was intent upon draperies, and Preston whose hands held aburden of responsibility. Hamilton was a quiet fellow enough inordinary; but now nobody was more ready for all the life of the play. Hethrew himself back into an attitude of irresolution and perplexity, withthe letter in his hand which had brought the fatal news; that is, it wasthe make-believe letter, though it was in reality only the New YorkEvening Post. And Daisy thought his attitude was very absurd; but theyall declared it was admirable and exactly copied from the engraving. Hethrew himself into all this in a moment, and was Bassanio at once; butTheresa was much too well disposed to laugh to imitate his example. Andthen they all laughed at Theresa, who instead of looking grave andinquiring, as Portia should, at her lord's unusual action andappearance, flung herself into position and out of position with amirthfulness of behaviour wholly inconsistent with the character she wasto personify. How they all laughed!

"What is it, Daisy?" whispered Nora. 

"Why, he has got a letter, "--said Daisy. 

"Is that newspaper the letter?"

"Make believe it is, " said Daisy. 

"But what are they doing!"

"Why, this man, Bassanio, has just got a letter that says his dearestfriend is going to be killed, because he owes money that he cannot pay;and as the money was borrowed for his own sake, of course he feels verybadly about it. "

"But people are not killed because they cannot pay money, " said Nora. "Ihave seen people come to papa for money, and they didn't do anything tohim because he hadn't it. "

"No, but--those were different times, " said Daisy--"and Bassanio livedin a different country. His friend owed money to a dreadful man, who wasgoing to cut out two pounds of his flesh to pay for it. So of coursethat would kill him. "

"O, look at Theresa now!" said Nora. 

The young lady had brought her muscles into order; and being cleverenough in her merry way, she had taken the look of the character and wasgiving it admirably. It was hardly Theresa; her moveable face wascomposed to such an expression of simple inquiry and interest andaffectionate concern. The spectators applauded eagerly; but Norawhispered, "What does she look like that, for?"

"Why, it's the picture, " said Daisy. "But what does she _look_ so for?"

"She is Bassanio's wife--they have just got married; and she looks sobecause he looks so, I suppose. She does not know what is in theletter. "

"Is he going to tell her?"

"Not in the picture--" said Daisy, feeling a little amused at Nora'ssimplicity. "He did tell her in the story. "

"But why don't we have all the story?" insisted Nora. 

"O, these are only pictures, you know; that is all; people dressed up tolook like pictures. "

"They don't look like pictures a bit, _I_ think, " said Nora; "they lookjust like people. "

Daisy thought so too, but had some faith in Preston's and Mrs. Sandford's powers of transforming and mystifying the present verynatural appearance of the performers. However, she was beginning to beof the opinion that it was good fun even now. 

"Now, Daisy, --come, we must practise putting _you_ in position, " saidMrs. Sandford. "We will take something easy first--what shall itbe?--Come! we will try Priscilla's courtship. Where is your John Alden, Preston?"

Preston quietly moved forward Alexander Fish and seated him. Daisy beganto grow warm with trepidation. 

"You must let your hair grow, Sandie--and comb out your long curls intoyour neck; so, --do you see? And you will have to have a dress as much asPriscilla. This tableau will be all in the dress, Mrs. Sandford. "

"We will have it. That is easy. "

"Now, Alexander, look here, at the picture. Take that attitude as nearlyas you can, and I will stroke you into order. --That is prettywell, --lean over a little more with that elbow on your knee, --you mustbe very much in earnest. "

"What am I doing?" said Alexander, breaking from his prescribedattitude to turn round and face the company. 

"You are making love to Priscilla; but the joke is, you have beenpersuaded to do it for somebody else, when all the time you would liketo do it for yourself. "

"I wouldn't be such a gumph as that!" muttered Alexander as he fell backinto position. "Who am I, to begin with?"

"A highly respectable old Puritan. The lady was surprised at him and hecame to his senses, but that is not in the picture. Now Daisy--take thatchair--a little nearer;--you are to have your hand on your spinningwheel, you know; I have got a dear little old spinning wheel at home foryou, that was used by my grandmother. You must look at Alexander alittle severely, for he is doing what you did not expect of him, and youthink he ought to know better. That attitude is very good. But you mustlook at him, Daisy! Don't let your eyes go down. "

There was a decided disposition to laugh among the company looking on, which might have been fatal to the Puritan picture had not Preston andMrs. Sandford energetically crushed it. Happily Daisy was too muchoccupied with the difficulty of her own immediate situation to discoverhow the bystanders were affected; she did not know what was the effectof her pink little cheeks and very demure down-cast eyes. In fact Daisyhad gone to take her place in the picture with something scarcely lessthan horror; only induced to do it, by her greater horror of making afuss and so shewing the feeling which she knew would be laughed at ifshewn. She shewed it now, poor child; how could she help it? she shewedit by her unusually tinged cheeks and by her persistent down-lookingeyes. It was very difficult indeed to help it; for if she ventured tolook at Alexander she caught impertinent little winks, --most unlike JohnAlden or any Puritan, --which he could execute with impunity because hisface was mostly turned from the audience; but which Daisy took in full. 

"Lift your eyes, Daisy! your eyes! Priscilla was too much astonished notto look at her lover. You may be even a little indignant, if you choose. I am certain she was. "

Poor Daisy--it was a piece of the fortitude that belonged to her--thusurged, did raise her eyes and bent upon her winking coadjutor a look sosevere in its childish distaste and disapproval that there was aunanimous shout of applause. "Capital, Daisy!--capital!" cried Preston. "If you only look it like that, we shall do admirably. It will be atableau indeed. There, get up--you shall not practise any more justnow. "

"It will be very fine, " said Mrs. Sandford. 

"Daisy, I did not think you were such an actress, " said Theresa. 

"It would have overset _me_, if I had been John Alden--" remarkedHamilton Rush. 

Daisy withdrew into the background as fast as possible, and as far aspossible from Alexander. 

"Do you like to do it, Daisy?" whispered Nora. 

"No. "

"Are you going to have a handsome dress for that?"

"No. "

"What sort, then?"

"Like the picture. "

"Well--what is that?"

"Brown, with a white vandyke. "

"Vandyke? what is a vandyke?"

"Hush, " said Daisy; "let us look. "

Frederica Fish was to personify Lady Jane Grey, at the moment when thenobles of her family and party knelt before her to offer her the crown. As Frederica was a fair, handsome girl, without much animation, thispart suited her; she had only to be dressed and sit still. Mrs. Sandfordthrew some rich draperies round her figure, and twisted a silk scarfabout the back of her head; and the children exclaimed at the effectproduced. That was to be a rich picture, for of course the kneelingnobles were to be in costly and picturesque attire; and a crown was tobe borne on a cushion before them. A book did duty for it just now, on acouch pillow. 

"That is what I should like--" said Nora. "I want to be dressed and lookso. "

"You will be dressed to be one of the queen's women in Esther andAhasuerus, you know. "

"But the queen will be dressed more--won't she?"

"Yes, I suppose she will. "

"I should like to be the queen; that is what I should like to be. "

Daisy made no answer. She thought she would rather Nora should _not_ bethe queen. 

"Doesn't she look beautiful?" Nora went on, referring again toFrederica. 

Which Frederica did. The tableau was quite pretty, even partiallydressed and in this off hand way as it was. 

Next Mrs. Sandford insisted on dressing Daisy as Fortitude. She had seenperhaps a little of the child's discomposure, and wished to make herforget it. In this tableau Daisy would be quite alone; so she was notdispleased to let the lady do what she chose with her. She stoodpatiently, while Mrs. Sandford wound a long shawl skilfully around her, bringing it into beautiful folds like those in Sir Joshua Reynolds'painting; then she put a boy's cap, turned the wrong way, on her head, to do duty for a helmet, and fixed a nodding plume of feathers in it. Daisy then was placed in the attitude of the picture, and the wholelittle assembly shouted with delight. 

"It will do, Mrs. Sandford, " said Preston. 

"Isn't it pretty?" said the lady. 

"And Daisy does it admirably, " said Theresa. "You are a fairy atdressing, Mrs. Sandford; your fingers are better than a fairy's wand. Iwish you were my godmother; I shouldn't despair to ride yet in a coachand six. There are plenty of pumpkins in a field near our house--andplenty of rats in the house itself. O, Mrs. Sandford! let us haveCinderella!"

"What, for a tableau?"

"Yes, ma'am. "

"You must ask the manager. I do not know anything about that. "

Preston and Theresa and Hamilton and Alexander now went into an eagerdiscussion of this question, and before it was settled the partydiscovered that it was time to break up. 

CHAPTER XV. 

"Well Daisy, " said Mr. Randolph that evening, "how do you like your newplay that you are all so busy about?"

"I like it pretty well, papa. "

"Only pretty well! Is that the most you can say of it? I understood thatit was supposed to be an amusement of a much more positive character. "

"Papa, it is amusing--but it has its disagreeablenesses. "

"Has it? What can they be? Or has everything pleasant its dark side?"

"I don't know, papa. "

"What makes the shadows in this instance?"

It seemed not just easy for Daisy to tell, for her father saw that shelooked puzzled how to answer. 

"Papa, I think it is because people do not behave perfectly well. "

It was quite impossible for Mr. Randolph to help bursting into a laughat this; but he put his arms round Daisy and kissed her veryaffectionately at the same time. 

"How does their ill behaviour affect your pleasure, Daisy?"

"Papa--you know I have to play with them. "

"Yes, I understand that. What do they do?"

"It isn't _they_, papa. It is only Alexander Fish--or at least it is hemost. "

"What does _he_ do?"

"Papa--we are in a tableau together. "

"Yes. You and he?"

"Yes, papa. And it is very disagreeable. "

"Pray how, Daisy?" said Mr. Randolph, commanding his features with somedifficulty. "What is the tableau?"

"Papa, you know the story of Priscilla?"

"I do not think I do. What Priscilla?"

"Priscilla and John Alden. It is in a book of engravings. "

"O!--the courtship of Miles Standish?"

"Miles Standish was his friend, papa. "

"Yes, I know now. And are you Priscilla?"

"Yes, papa. "

"And who is Miles Standish?"

"O, nobody; he is not in the picture; it is John Alden. "

"I think I remember. Who is John Alden, then?"

"Papa, they have put Alexander Fish in, because he has long curlinghair; but I think Preston's hair would do a great deal better. "

"Preston is under some obligation to the others, I suppose, because heis manager. But how does Alexander Fish abuse his privileges?"

"Papa, " said Daisy unwillingly, --"his face is turned away from the otherpeople, so that nobody can see it but me;--and he winks. "

Daisy brought out the last word with an accession of gravity impossiblefully to describe. Mr. Randolph's mouth twitched; he bent his head downupon Daisy's, that she might not see it. 

"That is very rude of him, Daisy, " he said. 

"Papa, " said Daisy, who did not relish the subject, and chose adeparture, --"what is a _Puritan_?"

"A Puritan!"

"Yes, papa. What is it? Priscilla was a Puritan. "

"That was a name given to a class of people in England a long time ago. "

"What did it mean?"

"They were a stiff set of people, Daisy; good enough people in theirway, no doubt, but very absurd in it also. "

"What did they do, papa?"

"Concluded to do without whatever is graceful and beautiful andpleasant, in dress or arts or manners. The more disagreeable they madelife, they thought it was the better. "

"Why were they called that name? Were they purer than other people?"

"I believe they thought themselves so. "

"I think they look nice in the picture, " said Daisy meditatively. "Arethere any Puritans now, papa?"

"There are people that are called Puritans. It is a term apt to beapplied to people that are stiff in their religion. "

"Papa, " said Daisy when an interval of five minutes had passed, --"I donot see how people can be stiff in their religion. "

"Don't you. Why not?"

"Papa, I do not see how it can be _stiff_, to love God and do what hesays. "

"No--" said Mr. Randolph; "but people can be stiff in ways of their owndevising. "

"Ways that are not in the Bible, papa?"

"Well--yes. "

"But papa, it cannot be _stiff_, to do what God says we must do?"

"No, --of course not, " said Mr. Randolph getting up. 

He left her, and Daisy sat meditating; then with a glad heart ran offand ordered her pony chaise. If tableaux were to be the order of the dayevery afternoon, she must go to see Molly in the morning. This time shehad a good deal to carry and to get ready. Molly was in want of bread. A nice little loaf, fresh baked, was supplied by Joanna, along with somecold rolls. 

"She will like those, I dare say, " said Daisy. "I dare say she never sawrolls in her life before. Now she wants some meat, Joanna. There wasnothing but a little end of cold pork on the dish in her cupboard. "

"Why I wonder who cooks for the poor wretch?" said Joanna. 

"I think she cooks for herself, because she has a stove, and I saw ironthings and pots to cook with. But she can't do much, Joanna, and I don'tbelieve she knows how. "

"Sick, is she too?" said Joanna. 

"Sick with rheumatism, so that she did not like to stir. "

"I guess I must go take a look at her; but maybe she mightn't let me. Well, Miss Daisy, the way will be for you to tell me what she wants, ifyou can find out. She must have neighbours, though, that take care ofher. "

"We are her neighbours, " said Daisy. 

Joanna looked, a look of great complacency and some wonder, at thechild; and packed forthwith into Daisy's basket the half of a coldchicken and a broken peach pie. A bottle of milk Daisy particularlydesired, and a little butter; and she set off at last, happier than aqueen--Esther or any other--to go to Molly with her supplies. 

She found not much improvement in the state of affairs. Molly wasgathered up on her hearth near the stove, in which she had made a fire;but it did not appear, for all that Daisy could see, that anything elsehad been done or any breakfast eaten that morning. The cripple seemed tobe in a down-hearted and hopeless state of mind; and no great wonder. 

"Molly, would you like another cup of tea?" said her little friend. 

"Yes, it's in there. You fix it, "--said the poor woman, pointing asbefore to the cupboard, and evidently comforted by Daisy's presence andproposal. Daisy could hear it in the tone of her voice. So, greatlypleased herself, Daisy went to work in Molly's house just as if she wasat home. She fetched water in the kettle again and made up the fire. While that was getting ready, she set the table for breakfast. The onlytable that Molly could use was a piece of board nailed on a chair. Onthis Daisy put her plate and cup and saucer, and with secret gleearranged the cold chicken and loaf of bread. For the cupboard, as shesaw, was as empty as she had found it two days before. What Molly hadlived on in the mean time was simply a mystery to Daisy. To be sure, theend of cold pork was gone, the remains of the cake had disappeared, andnothing was left of the peaches but the stones. The tea-kettle did notboil for a time; and Daisy looked uneasily at Molly's cup and saucer andplate meanwhile. They had not been washed, Daisy could not guess for howlong; certainly no water had touched them since the tea of two nightsago, for the cake crumbs and peach stones told the tale. Daisy looked atthem with a great feeling of discomfort. She could not bear to see themso; they ought to be washed; but Daisy disliked the idea of touchingthem for that purpose more than I can make you understand. In allmatters of nicety and cleanliness Daisy was notional; nothing suited herbut the most fastidious particularity. It had been a trial to her tobring those unwashed things from the cupboard. Now she sat and looked atthem; uneasily debating what she should do. It was not comfortable, thatMolly should take her breakfast off them as they were; and Molly wasmiserable herself and would do nothing to mend matters. Andthen--"Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, "--As soon as thatcame fairly into Daisy's head, she knew what she ought to be about. Notwithout an inward sigh, she gathered up the pieces again. 

"What you going to do?" said Molly. 

"I'll bring them back, " said Daisy. "I will be ready directly. The wateris not boiling yet. "

For she saw that Molly was jealously eager for the hoped-for cup of tea. She carried the things out into the shed, and there looked in vain forany dish or vessel to wash them in. How could it be that Molly managed?Daisy was fain to fetch a little bowl of water and wash the crockerywith her fingers, and then fetch another bowl of water to rinse it. There was no napkin to be seen. She left the things to drain as theycould, and went to the spring to wash her own fingers; rejoicing in thepurifying properties of the sweet element. All this took some time, butDaisy carried in her clean dishes with a satisfied heart. 

"It's bi'lin', --" said Molly as soon as she entered. 

So the little kettle was. Daisy made tea, and prepared Molly's tablewith a little piece of butter and the bottle of milk. And no little girlmaking an entertainment for herself with tiny china cups and tea-set, ever had such satisfaction in it. Twenty dinners at home could not havegiven Daisy so much pleasure, as she had now to see the poor cripplelook at her unwonted luxuries and then to see her taste them. Yet Mollysaid almost nothing; but the grunt of new expression with which she setdown the bottle of milk the first time, went all through and throughDaisy's heart with delight. Molly drank tea and spread her bread withbutter, and Daisy noticed her turning over her slice of bread to examinethe texture of it; and a quieter, soothed, less miserable look, spreaditself over her wrinkled features. They were not wrinkled with age; yetit was a lined and seamed face generally, from the working of unhappyand morose feelings. 

"Ain't it good!--" was Molly's single word of comment as she finishedher meal. Then she sat back and watched Daisy putting all the thingsnicely away. She looked hard at her. 

"What you fetch them things here for?" she broke out suddenly. "H--n?"

The grunt with which her question concluded was so earnest in its demandof an answer, that Daisy stopped. 

"Why I like to do it, Molly, " she said. Then seeing the intent eyes withwhich the poor creature was examining her, Daisy added, --"I like to doit; because Jesus loves you. "

"H--n?"--said Molly, very much at a loss what this might mean, and veryeager to know. Daisy stood still, with the bread in her hands. 

"Don't you know, Molly?" she said. "He does. It is Jesus, that I toldyou about. He loves you, and he came and died for you, that he mightmake you good and save you from your sins; and he loves you now, up inheaven. "

"What's that?" said Molly. 

"Heaven? that is where God lives, and the angels, and good people. "

"There ain't none, " said Molly. 

"What?"

"There ain't no good people. "

"O yes, there are. When they are washed in Jesus' blood, then they aregood. He will take away all their sins. "

Molly was silent for a moment and Daisy resumed her work of puttingthings away; but as she took the peach pie in her hands Molly burst outagain. 

"What you bring them things here for?"

Daisy stopped again. 

"I think it is because Jesus is my king, " she said, "and I love him. AndI love what he loves, and so I love you, Molly. "

Daisy looked very childish and very wise, as she said this; but overMolly's face there came a great softening change. The wrinkles seemed todisappear; she gazed at Daisy steadily as if trying to find out what itall meant: and when the eyes presently were cast down, Daisy almostthought there was a little moisture about them. She had no furtherinterruption in her work. The dishes were all put away, and then shebrought her book. Daisy had her Bible with her this time, that she mightgive Molly more than her own words. And Molly she found as ready tolisten as could be desired. And she was persistent in desiring to hearonly of that incredible Friend of whom Daisy had told her. That name shewanted; wherever that name came in, Molly sat silent and attentive; ifthe narrative lost it, she immediately quickened Daisy's memory to theknowledge of the fact that nothing else would do. At last Daisy proposedthat Molly herself should learn to read. Molly stared very hopelessly atfirst; but after getting more accustomed to the idea and hearing fromDaisy that it was by no means an impossible thing, and further that ifshe could learn to read, the Bible would be forthcoming for her own use, she took up the notion with an eagerness far exceeding all that Daisyhad hoped for. She said very little about it; nevertheless it was plainthat a root of hope had struck down into the creature's heart. Daisytaught her two letters, A and B, and then was obliged to go home. 

It was quite time, for little Daisy was tired. She was not accustomed tomaking fires and boiling kettles, neither to setting tables and washingdishes. Yet it was not merely, nor so much, the bodily exertion she hadmade, as the mind work. The excitement both of pleasure andresponsibility and eager desire. Altogether, Daisy was tired; and satback in her chaise letting the reins hang languidly in her hands andLoupe go how he would. But Loupe judged it was best to get home and havesome refreshment, so he bestirred himself. Daisy had time to lie down alittle while before her dinner; nevertheless she was languid and pale, and disposed to take all the rest of the day very quietly. 

The rest of the day was of course devoted to the tableaux. The littlecompany had got warmed to the subject pretty well at the first meeting;they all came together this fine afternoon with spirits in tone forbusiness. And Daisy, though she was tired, presently found her owninterest drawn in. She was not called upon immediately to take anyactive part; she perched herself in the corner of a couch and looked onand listened. Thither came Nora Dinwiddie, too much excited to sit down, and stood by Daisy's elbow. They had been practising "Alfred in theneat-herd's cottage;" Nora had been called upon to be the girl blowingthe burnt cakes; she had done it, and everybody had laughed, but thelittle lady was not pleased. 

"I know I look horrid!" she said to Daisy, --"puffing out my cheeks tillthey are like a pair of soapbubbles!"

"But soapbubbles are not that colour, " said Daisy. "Your cheeks didn'tlook like soapbubbles. "

"Yes, they did. They looked horrid, I know. "

"But the picture is so, " urged Daisy quietly. "You want to be like thepicture. "

"No I don't. Not that picture. I would like to be something handsome. Idon't like that picture. "

Daisy was silent, and Nora pouted. 

"What are you going to be, Daisy?" said Ella Stanfield. 

"I am going to be Priscilla. No, I don't know whether I am or not; but Iam going to be Fortitude, I believe. "

"That's pretty, " said Ella. "What else? O, you are going to be theangel, aren't you? I wonder if that will be pretty. It will be queer. Nora, shall you like to be one of the little princes in the Tower? withthat featherbed coming over us? But we shall not see it, I suppose, because our eyes have got to be shut; but I shall be afraid every minutethey will let it fall on us. "

"My eyes won't be shut, " said Nora. 

"O, they must. You know, the little princes were asleep, when the mencame to kill them. Your eyes must be shut and you must be asleep. O, what are they doing to Theresa?"

"Dressing her--" said Daisy. 

"What is she going to be?"

"Portia--" said Daisy. 

"Isn't that beautiful!--" said Nora with a deep breath. "O, what asplen--did dress! How rich-looking it is. What a lovely purple. O, howbeautiful Theresa is in it. O--! Isn't that splen--did?"

A very prolonged, though low, breath of admiring wonder testified to theimpressive power, upon the children at least, of Theresa's newhabiliments. The purple brocade was upon her; its full draperies sweptthe ground in gorgeous colouring; a necklace of cameos was bound withgreat effect upon her hair; and on the arms, which were half bare, Mrs. Sandford was clasping gold and glittering jewels. Theresa threw herselfslightly back in her prescribed attitude, laid her arms lightly acrosseach other, and turned her head with a very saucy air towards thecompanion figure, supposed to be Bassanio. All the others laughed andclapped her. 

"Not that, Theresa, not that; you have got the wrong picture. You aregoing with the Prince of Arragon now, to the caskets; and you ought tobe anxiously asking Bassanio about his letter. "

Theresa changed attitude and expression on the instant; bent slightlyforward, lost her sauciness, and laid her hand upon Bassanio's arm witha grave, tender look of inquiry. They all shouted again. 

"Bravo, Theresa! capital!" said Preston. 

"Hamilton, can you act up to that?" said Mrs. Sandford. 

"Wait till I get my robes on, ma'am. I can make believe a great dealeasier when I am under the persuasion that it is not me--Hamilton Rush. "

"I'd like to see Frederica do as well as that, " said Alexander Fish, ina fit of brotherly concern. 

"Let us try her--" said good-natured Mrs. Sandford. Mrs. Sandfordcertainly was good-natured, for she had all the dressing to do. She didit well, and very patiently. 

"There, " said Nora, when Ella had left the couch to go to hersister, --"that is what I like. Didn't she look beautiful, Daisy?"

"Her dress looked beautiful--" said Daisy. 

"Well, of course; and that made _her_ look beautiful. Daisy, I wish Icould have a nice part. I would like to be the queen in that faintingpicture. "

"You are going to be in that picture. "

"But, I mean, I would like to be the queen. She will have the bestdress, won't she?"

"I suppose she will be the most dressed, " said Daisy. 

"I don't want to be one of the women--I want to be the queen. HamiltonRush said I would be the best one for it, because she was a Jewess; andI am the only one that has got black eyes and hair. "

"But her eyes will not be seen, " said Daisy. "She is fainting. Whenpeople faint, they keep their eyes shut. "

"Yes, but I am the only one that has got black hair. That will shew. Herhair ought to be black. "

"Why will not other hair do just as well?" said Daisy. 

"Why, because she was a Jewess. "

"Do Jewesses always have black hair?"

"Of course they _ought_ to have black hair, " said Nora; "or HamiltonRush would not have said that. And my hair is black. "

Daisy was silent. She said nothing to this proposition. The childrenwere both silenced for a little while the practising for "MarieAntoinette" was going on. The principal part in this was taken byFrederica, who was the beauty of the company. A few touches of Mrs. Sandford's skilful hands transformed her appearance wonderfully. She puton an old-fashioned straight gown, which hung in limp folds around her;and Mrs. Sandford arranged a white handkerchief over her breast, tyingit in the very same careless loose knot represented in the picture; buther management of Frederica's hair was the best thing. Its soft fairluxuriance was, no one could tell how, made to assume the half dressed, half undressed air of the head in Delaroche's picture; and Fredericalooked the part well. 

"She should throw her head a little more back, "--whispered Hamilton Rushto the manager;--"her head or her shoulders. She is not quite indignantenough. "

"That handkerchief in her hand is not right--" said Preston in aresponding whisper. "You see to it--while I get into disguise. "

"That handkerchief, Mrs. Sandford--" Hamilton, said softly. 

"Yes. Frederica, your hand with the pocket-handkerchief, --it is notquite the thing. "

"Why not?"

"You hold it like a New York lady. "

"How _should_ I hold it?"

"Like a French queen, whose Austrian fingers may hold anything any way. "This was Hamilton's dictum. 

"But how _do_ I hold it?"

"You have picked it up in the middle, and shew all the flower work inthe corners. "

"You hold it too daintily, Frederica, " said Theresa. "You must graspit--grasp it loosely--but as the distinguished critic who has lastspoken has observed. "

Frederica dropped her handkerchief, and picked it up again exactly asshe had it before. 

"Try again--" said Mrs. Sandford. "Grasp it, as Theresa says. Never mindhow you are taking it up. "

"Must I throw it down again?"

"If you please. "

"Take it up any way but in the middle, " said Hamilton. 

Down went the handkerchief on a chair, and then Frederica's fingers tookit up, delicately, and with a little shake displayed as before whatHamilton called the flowers in the corners. It was the same thing. Theyall smiled. 

"She can't hold a handkerchief any but the one way--I don't believe, "said her brother Alexander. 

"Isn't it right?" said Frederica. 

"Perfect, I presume, for Madison Square or Fifth Avenue--but not exactlyfor a revolutionary tribunal, " said Hamilton. 

"What is the difference?"

"Ah, that is exactly what it is so hard to get at. Hello! Preston--is itPreston? Can't be better, Preston. Admirable! admirable!"

"Well, Preston, I do not know you!" said Mrs. Sandford. 

Was it Preston? Daisy could hardly believe her ears. Her eyescertainly-told her another story. Was it Preston? in the guise and withthe face of an extremely ugly old woman--vicious and malignant, --whotaking post near the deposed queen, peered into her face with spitefulcuriosity and exultation. Not a trace of likeness to Preston could Daisysee. She half rose up to look at him in her astonishment. But the voicesoon declared that it was no other than her cousin. 

"Come, "--said he, while they were all shouting, --"fall in. YouHamilton, --and Theresa, --come and take your positions. "

Hamilton, with a glance at the picture, went behind Preston; and puttingon a savage expression, thrust his clenched fist out threateninglytowards the dignified figure of Frederica; while Theresa, stealing upinto the group, put her hands upon a chair back to steady herself andbent towards the queen a look of mournful sympathy and reverence, thatin the veritable scene and time represented would undoubtedly have costthe young lady her life. The performers were good; the picture wasadmirable. There was hardly anybody left to look when George Linwood andAlexander had taken post as the queen's guards; and to say truth theydid not in their present state of undisguised individuality add much tothe effect; but Mrs. Sandford declared the tableau was very fine, andcould be made perfect. 

The question of Cinderella came up then; and there was a good deal oftalk. Finally it was decided that little Ella should be Cinderella, andEloïse the fairy godmother, and Jane Linwood and Nora the wickedsisters. A little practising was tried, to get them in order. ThenEsther was called for. Daisy submitted. 

Hamilton Rush was made magnificent and kingly by a superb velvet mantleand turbaned crown--the latter not perfect, but improvised for theoccasion. For a sceptre he held out a long wooden ruler this time; butPreston promised a better one should be provided. The wooden ruler wascertainly not quite in keeping with the king's state, or the queen's. Daisy was robed in a white satin dress of her mother's; much too long, of course, but that added to the rich effect; it lay in folds upon thefloor. Her head was covered with a rose-coloured silken scarf woundartistically round it and the ends floating away; and upon this draperydiamonds were bound, that sparkled very regally over Daisy's forehead. But this was only the beginning. A zone of brilliants at her waist madethe white satin dazzling and gathered its folds together; bracelets ofevery colour and of great beauty loaded Daisy's little arms; till shewas, what Mrs. Sandford had said Esther must be, a spot of brilliancy. Her two maids, Nora and Jane Linwood, at this time were not robed inany other than their ordinary attire; perhaps that was one reason whytheir maintenance of their characters was not quite so perfect as thatof the principal two. Hamilton stretched forward his wooden sceptre tothe queen with benignant haste and dignity. Daisy, only too glad toshrink away, closed her eyes and lay back in the arms of her attendantsin a manner that was really very satisfactory. But the attendantsthemselves were not in order. 

"Jane, you must not laugh--" said her brother. 

"I ain't laughing!"

"Yes, but you were. "

"The queen is fainting, you know, " said Mrs. Sandford. "You are one ofher maids, and you are very much distressed about it. "

"I am not distressed a bit. I don't care. "

"Nora, do not forget that you are another attendant. Your business iswith your mistress. You must be looking into her face, to see if she isreally faint or if you can perceive signs of mending. You must look veryanxious. "

But Nora looked very cross; and as Jane persisted in giggling, thesuccess of that picture was not quite excellent this time. 

"Nora is the most like a Jewess--" Theresa remarked. 

"O, Nora will make a very good maid of honour by and by, " Mrs. Sandfordreplied. 

But Nora had her own thoughts. 

"Daisy, how shall I be dressed?" she inquired, when Daisy was disrobedof her magnificence and at leisure to talk. 

"I don't know. O, in some nice way, " said Daisy, getting into her cornerof the couch again. 

"Yes, but shall I--shall Jane and I have bracelets, and a girdle, andsomething on our heads too?"

"No, I suppose not. The queen of course is most dressed, Nora; you knowshe must be. "

"I should like to have _one_ dress, " said Nora. "I am not anything atall. All the fun is in the dress. You are to have four dresses. "

"Well, so are you to have four. "

"No, I am not. What four?"

"This one, you know; and Red Riding-hood--and the Princes in theTower--and Cinderella. "

"I am to be only one of the ugly sisters in Cinderella--I don't believeaunt Frances will give her much of a dress; and I hate Red Riding-hood;and the Princes in the Tower are not to be dressed at all. They arecovered up with the bed-clothes. "

"Nora, " said Daisy softly, --"would you like to be dressed as JohnAlden?"

"As _what?_" said Nora, in no very accommodating tone of voice. 

"John Alden--that Puritan picture, you know, with the spinning wheel. Iam to be Priscilla. "

"A boy! Do you think I would be dressed like a boy?" cried Nora indudgeon. And Daisy thought _she_ would not, if the question were askedher; and had nothing more to answer. 

So the practising went on, with good success on the whole. The littlecompany met every other day; and dresses were making, and postures werestudied, and costumes were considered and re-considered. Portia andBassanio got to be perfect. So did Alfred in the neat-herd'scottage--very nearly. Nora, however she grumbled, blew her cakesenergetically; Preston and Eloïse made a capital old man and woman, shewith a mutch cap and he with a bundle of sticks on his head; whileAlexander Fish with his long hair and rather handsome face sat very wellat the table hearing his rebuke for letting the cakes burn. Alexanderwas to have a six-foot bow in hand, which he and Hamilton were gettingready: and meanwhile practised with an umbrella. But the tableau wasvery good. Most of the others went very well. Still Daisy was greatlytried by John Alden's behaviour, and continued to look so severe in thepicture as to draw out shouts of approving laughter from the company, who did not know that Alexander Fish was to be thanked for it. And Norawas difficult to train in Queen Esther. She wore obstinately a look ofdispleased concern for herself, and no concern at all for her faintingmistress. Which on the whole rather impaired the unity of the action, and the harmony of the general effect. 

"How is your task proceeding?" Mrs. Randolph asked one evening when Mrs. Sandford was staying to tea. 

"Excellently well. We shall make a good thing, I confidently expect. "

"Hamilton is a good actor, " said Preston. 

"And Master Gary also, " said Mrs. Sandford. "Your old French wife isperfect, Preston. "

"Much obliged, ma'am. "

"Not to me. My dressing has nothing to do with that. But Preston, whatshall we do with Frederica's handkerchief? She can _not_ holdit--right. "

"Like a queen--" said Preston. "I do not know--unless we could scare herout of her propriety. A good fright would do it, I think. But then theexpression would not suit. How is the Game, Mrs. Sandford?"

"Perfect! admirable! You and Hamilton do it excellently--and Daisy is averitable angel. "

"How does _she_ like it all?" Mrs. Randolph inquired. 

"Aunt Felicia, she is as much engaged as anybody. "

"And plays as well, " added Mrs. Sandford. 

"She has found out to-day, aunt Felicia, " Preston went on, speakingrather low, "that she ought to have a string of red stones round herhead instead of white ones. "

Mrs. Randolph smiled. 

"She was quite right, " said Mrs. Sandford. "It was a matter of colour, and she was quite right. She was dressed for Queen Esther, and I madeher look at herself to take the effect; and she suggested, verymodestly, that stones of some colour would do better than diamonds roundher head. So I substituted some very magnificent rubies of yours, Mrs. Randolph; quite to Daisy's justification. "

"Doesn't she make a magnificent little 'Fortitude, ' though!" saidEloïse. 

"The angel will be the best, " said Mrs. Sandford. "She looks sonaturally troubled. But we have got a good band of workers. TheresaStanfield is very clever. "

"It will do Daisy a world of good, " said Mrs. Gary. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

All this while Daisy's days were divided. Silks and jewels and picturesand practising, in one part; in the other part, the old cripple MollySkelton, and her basket of bread and fruit, and her reading in theBible. For Daisy attended as regularly to the one as to the other set ofinterests, and more frequently; for the practising party met only threetimes a week, but Daisy went to Molly every day. 

Molly was not sick now. Daisy's good offices in the material line wereconfined to supplying her with nice bread and butter and fruit and milk, with many varieties beside. But in that day or two of rheumatic pains, when Molly had been waited upon by the dainty little handmaiden who camein spotless frocks and trim little black shoes to make her fire andprepare her tea, Daisy's tenderness and care had completely won Molly'sheart. She was a real angel in that poor house; no vision of one. Mollywelcomed her so, looked at her so, and would perhaps have obeyed her asreadily. But Daisy offered no words that required obedience, exceptthose she read out of the Book; and Molly listened to them as if it hadbeen the voice of an angel. She was learning to read herself; reallylearning: making advances every day that shewed diligent interest; andthe interest was fed by those words she daily listened to out of thesame book. Daisy had got a large-print Testament for her at Crum Elbow;and a new life had begun for the cripple. The rose-bush and thegeranium flourished brilliantly, for the frosts had not come yet; andthey were a good setting forth of how things were going in the house. 

One lovely October afternoon, when air and sky were a breath and visionof delight, after a morning spent in dressing and practising, Daisy wentto Molly. She went directly after luncheon. She had given Molly herlesson; and then Daisy sat with a sober little face, her finger betweenthe leaves of the Bible, before beginning her accustomed reading. Mollyeyed her wistfully. 

"About the crowns and the white dresses, " she suggested. 

"Shall I read about those?" said Daisy. And Molly nodded. And with herlittle face exceedingly grave and humble, Daisy read the seventh chapterof the Revelation, and then the twenty-first chapter, and thetwenty-second; and then she sat with her finger between the leaves asbefore, looking out of the window. 

"Will they all be sealed?" said Molly, breaking the silence. 

"Yes. "

"What is that?"

"I don't know exactly. It will be a mark of all the people that loveJesus. "

"A mark in their foreheads?"

"Yes, it says so. "

"What mark?"

"I don't know, Molly; it says, 'His name shall be in their foreheads. '"And Daisy's eyes became full of tears. 

"How will that be?"

"I don't know, Molly; it don't tell. I suppose that everybody that looksat them will know in a minute that they belong to Jesus. "

Daisy's hand went up and brushed across her eyes; and then did it again. 

"Do they belong to him?" asked Molly. 

"O yes! Here it is--don't you remember?--'they have washed their robesand made them white in the blood of the Lamb. '"

"So they are white, then?" said Molly. 

"Yes. And his mark is on them. "

"I wish, " said the cripple slowly and thoughtfully, --"I wish 'twas onme. I do!"

I do not think Daisy could speak at this. She shut her book and got upand looked at Molly, who had put her head down on her folded arms; andthen she opened Molly's Testament and pressed her arm to make her look. Still Daisy did not speak; she had laid her finger under some of thewords she had been reading; but when Molly raised her head sheremembered the sense of them could not be taken by the poor woman'seyes. So Daisy read them, looking with great tenderness in the cripple'sface--

"'I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water oflife freely. ' That is what it says, Molly. "

"Who says?"

"Why Jesus says it. He came and died to buy the life for us--and now hewill give it to us, he says, if we want it. "

"What life?" said Molly vaguely. 

"Why _that_, Molly; that which you were wishing for. He will forgive us, and make us good, and set his mark upon us; and then we shall wear thoserobes that are made white in his blood, and be with him in heaven. Andthat is life. "

"You and me?" said Molly. 

"O yes! Molly--anybody. It says 'whosoever is athirst. '"

"Where's the words?" said Molly. 

Daisy shewed her; and Molly made a deep mark in the paper under themwith her nail; so deep as to signify that she meant to have them forpresent study or future reference or both. Then, as Molly seemed tohave said her say, Daisy said no more and went away. 

It was still not late in the afternoon; and Daisy drove on, past theMelbourne gates, and turned the corner into the road which led to CrumElbow. The air was as clear as October could have it; and soft, neitherwarm nor cold; and the roads were perfect; and here and there a fewyellow and red maple leaves, and in many places a brown stubble field, told that autumn was come. It was as pleasant a day for drive as couldpossibly be; and yet Daisy's face was more intent upon her pony's earsthan upon any other visible thing. She drove on towards Crum Elbow, butbefore she reached it she turned another corner, and drew up beforeJuanita's house. 

It was not the first visit she had made here since going home; thoughDaisy had in truth not come often nor stayed long. All the more gladwere Juanita and she to see each other now. Daisy took off her flat andsat down on the old chintz couch, with a face of content. Yet it wasgrave content; not joyous at all. So Juanita's keen eyes saw, throughall the talking which went on. Daisy and she had a great deal to say toeach other; and among other things the story of Molly came in and wasenlarged upon; though Daisy left most of her own doings to be guessedat. She did not tell them more than she could well help. However, talkwent on a good while, and still when it paused Daisy's face lookedthoughtful and careful. So Juanita saw. 

"Is my love quite well?"

"O yes, Juanita. I am quite well. I think I am getting strong, alittle. "

Juanita's thanksgiving was earnest. Daisy looked very sober. 

"Juanita, I have been wanting to talk to you. "

Now they had been talking a good deal; but this, the black woman saw, was not what Daisy meant. 

"What is it, my love?"

"I don't know, Juanita. I think I am puzzled. "

The fine face of Mrs. Benoit looked gravely attentive, and a littleanxiously watchful of Daisy's. 

"The best way will be to tell you. Juanita, they are--I mean, weare--playing pictures at home. "

"What is that, Miss Daisy?"

"Why, they take pictures--pictures in books, you know--and dress uppeople like the people in the pictures, and make them stand so or sitso, and look so, as the people in the pictures do; and so they make apicture of living people. "

"Yes, Miss Daisy. "

"They are playing pictures at home. I mean, we are. Mamma is going togive a great party next week; and the pictures are to be all made andshewn at the party. There are twelve pictures; and they will be part ofthe entertainment. There is to be a gauze stretched over the door of thelibrary, and the pictures are to be seen behind the gauze. "

"And does Miss Daisy like the play?" the black woman inquired, notlightly. 

"Yes, Juanita--I like some things about it. It is very amusing. Thereare some things I do not like. "

"Did Miss Daisy wish to talk to me about those things she not like?"

"I don't, know, Juanita--no, I think not. Not about those things. But Ido not exactly know about myself. "

"What Miss Daisy not know about herself?"

"I do not know exactly--whether it is right. "

"Whether what be right, my love?"

Daisy was silent at first, and looked puzzled. 

"Juanita--I mean--I don't know whether _I_ am right. "

"Will my love tell what she mean?"

"It is hard, Juanita. But--I don't think I am quite right. I want you totell me what to do. "

Daisy's little face looked perplexed and wise. And sorry. 

"What troubles my love?"

"I do not know how it was, Juanita--I did not care at all about it atfirst; and then I began to care about it a little--and now--"

"What does my love care about?"

"About being dressed, Juanita; and wearing mamma's jewels, and lookinglike a picture. "

"Will Miss Daisy tell Juanita better what she mean?"

"Why, you know, Juanita, " said the child wistfully, "they dress up thepeople to look like the pictures; and they have put me in some verypretty pictures; and in one I am to be beautifully dressed to look likeQueen Esther--with mamma's jewels all over me. And there is anotherlittle girl who would like to have that part, --and I do not want to giveit to her. "

Juanita sat silent, looking grave and anxious. Her lips moved, but shesaid nothing that could be heard. 

"And Juanita, " the child went on--"I think, somehow, I like to lookbetter than other people, --and to have handsomer dresses than otherpeople, --in the pictures, you know. "

Still Juanita was silent. 

"Is it right, Juanita?"

"Miss Daisy pardon me. Who Miss Daisy think be so pleased to see her inthe beautiful dress in the picture?"

"Juanita--it was not that I meant. I was not thinking so much of _that_. Mamma would like it, I suppose, and papa;--but I like it myself. "

Juanita was silent again. 

"Is it right, Juanita?"

"Why do Miss Daisy think it not right?"

Daisy looked undecided and perplexed. 

"Juanita--I wasn't quite sure. "

"Miss Daisy like to play in these pictures?"

"Yes, Juanita--and I like--Juanita, I like it!"

"And another little girl, Miss Daisy say, like it too?"

"Yes, I think they all do. But there is a little girl that wants to takemy part. "

"And who Miss Daisy want to please?"

Daisy hesitated, and her eyes reddened; she sat a minute still; thenlooked up very wistfully. 

"Juanita, I think I want to please myself. "

"Jesus please not himself"--said the black woman. 

Daisy made no answer to that. She bent over and hid her little head inMrs. Benoit's lap. And tears undoubtedly came, though they were quiettears. The black woman's hand went tenderly over the little round head. 

"And he say to his lambs--'Follow me. '"

"Juanita"--Daisy spoke without raising her head--"I want to please himmost. "

"How Miss Daisy think she do that?"

Daisy's tears now, for some reason, came evidently, and abundantly. Shewept more freely in Juanita's lap than she would have done before fatheror mother. The black woman let her alone, and there was silentcounsel-taking between Daisy and her tears for some time. 

"Speak to me, Juanita"--she said at last. 

"What my love want me to say?"

"It has been all wrong, hasn't it, Juanita? O have I, Juanita?"

"What, my love?"

"I know I have, " said Daisy. "I knew it was not right before. "

There was yet again a silence; a tearful silence on one part. Then Daisyraised her head, looking very meek. 

"Juanita, what ought I to do?"

"What my love said, " the black woman replied very tenderly. "Please theLord. "

"Yes; but I mean, how shall I do that?"

"Jesus please not himself; and he say, 'Follow me. '"

"Juanita, I believe I began to want to please myself very soon after allthis picture work and dressing began. "

"Then it not please the Lord, " said Juanita decidedly. 

"I know, " said Daisy; "and it has been growing worse and worse. ButJuanita, I shall have to finish the play now--I cannot help it. Howshall I keep good? Can I?"

"My love knows the Good Shepherd carry his lamb in his bosom, if she lethim. He is called Jesus, for he save his people from their sins. "

Daisy's face was very lowly; and very touching was the way she bent herlittle head and passed her hand across her eyes. It was the gesture ofpenitent gentleness. 

"Tell me some more, Juanita. "

"Let the Lord speak, " said the black woman turning over her well usedBible. "See, Miss Daisy--'Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charityenvieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth notbehave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own--'"

"I was puffed up, " said Daisy, "because I was to wear those beautifulthings. I will let Nora wear them. I was seeking my own, all the time, Juanita. I didn't know it. "

"See, Miss Daisy--'That women adorn themselves in modest apparel, withshamefacedness and sobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, orpearls, or costly array. '"

"Is there any _harm_ in those pretty things, Juanita? They are sopretty!"

"I don't know, Miss Daisy; the Lord say he not pleased with them; andthe Lord knows. "

"I suppose, " said Daisy----but what Daisy supposed was never told. Itwas lost in thought. 

"My love see here what please the Lord--'the ornament of a meek andquiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. '"

Daisy lifted her little face and kissed the fine olive cheek of herfriend. 

"I know now, Juanita, " she said with her accustomed placidness. "Ididn't know what was the matter with me. I shall have to play in thepictures--I cannot help it now--but I will let Nora be Queen Esther. "

It was quite late by this time and Daisy after a little more talk wenthome; a talk which filled the child's heart with comfort. Daisy wenthome quite herself again, and looked as happy and busy as a bee when shegot there. 

"Daisy! what late doings!" exclaimed her father. "Out all the afternoonand practising all the morning--Where have you been?"

"I have been visiting, papa. "

"Pray whom?"

"Molly, papa--and Juanita, " Daisy said, not very willingly, for Mrs. Randolph was within hearing. 

"A happy selection!" said she. "Go and get ready for dinner, Daisy. "

"Have you been all the afternoon at those two places, Daisy?" asked herfather, within whose arms she stood. 

"Yes, papa. "

He let her go; and a significant look passed between him and his wife. 

"A little too much of a good thing, " said Mr. Randolph. 

"It will be too much, soon, " the lady answered. 

Nevertheless Daisy for the present was safe, thanks to her friend Dr. Sandford; and she passed on up stairs with a spirit as light as a bird. And after she was dressed, till it was time for her to go in to thedinner-table, all that while a little figure was kneeling at the openwindow and a little round head was bowed upon the sill. And after that, there was no cloud upon Daisy's face at all. 

In the drawing-room, when they were taking tea, Daisy carried her cup ofmilk and cake to a chair close by Preston. 

"Well, Daisy, what now?"

"I want to talk to you about the pictures, Preston. "

"We did finely to-day, Daisy! If only I could get the cramp out ofFrederica's fingers. "

"Cramp!" said Daisy. 

"Yes. She picks up that handkerchief of hers as if her hand was a bird'sclaw. I can't get a blue jay or a canary out of my head when I see her. Did you ever see a bird scratch its eye with its claw, Daisy?"

"Yes. "

"Well, that is what she puts me in mind of. That handkerchief killsMarie Antoinette, dead. And she won't take advice--or she can't. It is apity you hadn't it to do; you would hold it right queenly. You do Esthercapitally. I don't believe a Northern girl can manage that sort ofthing. "

Daisy sipped her milk and eat crumbs of cake for a minute without makingany answer. 

"Preston, I am going to let Nora be Queen Esther. "

"What!" said Preston. 

"I am going to let Nora be Queen Esther. "

"Nora! Not if I know it, " said Preston. 

"Yes, but I am. I would like it better. And Nora would like to be QueenEsther, I know. "

"I dare say she would! Like it! Of course. No, Daisy; Queen Esther isyours and nobody's else. What has put that into your head?"

"Preston, I think Nora would like it; and you know, they said she wasmost like a Jewess of all of us; I think it would be proper to give itto her. "

"I shall not do it. We will be improper for once. "

"But I am going to do it, Preston. "

"Daisy, you have not liberty. I am the manager. What has come over you?You played Esther beautifully only this morning. What is the matter?"

"I have been thinking about it, " said Daisy; "and I have concluded Iwould rather give it to Nora. "

Preston was abundantly vexed, for he knew by the signs that Daisy hadmade up her mind; and he was beginning to know that his little cousinwas exceedingly hard to move when once she was fully set on a thing. Hedebated within himself an appeal to authority; but on the wholedismissed that thought. It was best not to disgust Daisy with the wholeaffair; and he hoped coaxing might yet do the work. But Daisy was tooquick for him. 

"Nora, " she said at the next meeting, "if you like, I will change withyou in the fainting picture. You shall be the queen, and I will be oneof the women. "

"Shall I be the queen?" said Nora. 

"Yes, if you like. "

"But why don't you want to do it?"

"I would rather you would, if you like it. "

"Well, I'll do it, " said Nora; "but Daisy, shall I have all the dressyou were going to wear?"

"Yes, I suppose so. "

"Because, if I don't, I won't. I must have just exactly what you weregoing to wear. "

"Why you will of course, I suppose, " said Daisy, a good deal astonished. 

"Every bit, " said Nora. "Shall I have that same white satin gown?"

"Yes, I suppose so. Of course you will. It is only you and I thatchange; not the dress. "

"And shall I have the ornaments too?"

"Just the same, I suppose; unless Mrs. Sandford thinks that somethingelse will look better. "

"I won't have anything else. I want that same splendid necklace for mygirdle--shall I?"

"I suppose so, Nora. "

"You say 'I suppose so' to everything. I want to _know_. Shall I havethat same pink silk thing over my hair?"

"That scarf? yes. "

"And the red necklace on it? and the bracelets? and the gold anddiamonds round my neck? I won't be Esther if I don't have the dress. "

"I suppose you will have the dress, " said Daisy; "of course you will. But if you say you do not want to be Esther, they will make me do it. "

A hint that closed Nora's mouth. She did not say she did not want to beEsther. Mrs. Sandford was astonished at the change of performers; butDaisy's resignation was so simply made and naturally, and Nora'sacceptance was so manifestly glad, that nobody could very well offer anyhindrance. The change was made; but Preston would not suffer Daisy to beone of the attendants. He left her out of the picture altogether and putJane Linwood in Nora's vacated place. Daisy was content; and now thepractising and the arrangements went on prospering. 

There was a good deal of preparation to be made, besides what themantua-maker could do. Mr. Stilton was called into the library for agreat consultation; and then he went to work. The library was the placechosen for the tableaux; the spectators to be gathered into thedrawing-room, and the pictures displayed just within the wide door ofcommunication between the two rooms. On the library side of this doorMr. Stilton laid down a platform, slightly raised and covered with greenbaize cloth, and behind the platform a frame-work was raised and hungwith green baize to serve as a proper background for the pictures. Aflower stand was brought in from the greenhouse and placed at one side, out of sight from the drawing-room; for the purpose, as Preston informedDaisy, of holding the lights. All these details were under hismanagement, and he managed, Daisy thought, very ably indeed. Meantimethe dresses were got ready. Fortitude's helmet was constructed ofpasteboard and gilt paper; and Nora said it looked just as if it weresolid gold. The crown of Ahasuerus, and Alfred's six-foot bow were alsomade; and a beautiful old brown spinning wheel was brought from Mrs. Sandford's house for Priscilla. Priscilla's brown dress was puttogether, and her white vandyke starched. And the various mantles androbes of velvet and silk which were to be used, were in some wayaccommodated to the needs of the young wearers. All was done well, andPreston was satisfied; except with Daisy. 

Not that Daisy did not enter into the amusement of what was goingforward; for perhaps nobody took so much real share in it. Even Mr. Stilton's operations interested her. But she was not engrossed at all. She was not different from her usual self. All the glory of the tableauxhad not dazzled her, so far as Preston could see. And daily, everymorning, she stepped into that little pony chaise with a basket anddrove off--Preston was at the pains to find out--to spend a couple ofhours with Molly Skelton. Preston sighed with impatience. And then inthe very act of dressing and practising for the pictures, Daisy wasprovokingly cool and disengaged. She did her part very well, but seemedjust as much interested in other people's parts and as much pleased withother people's adornment. Queen Esther in particular was Daisy's care, since she had given up the character; and without putting herselfforward she had once or twice made a suggestion to Mrs. Sandford, ofsomething that she either thought would please Nora or that she feltcalled for by her own tastes; and in each case Mrs. Sandford declaredthe suggestion had been an improvement. 

But with a pleasure much greater and keener, Daisy had seen the potcontaining the 'Jewess' geranium taken up out of the ground, and set, with all the glory of its purple-red blossoms, in Molly's poor littleroom. There it stood, on a deal table, a spot of beauty and refinement, all alone to witness for the existence of such things on the earth. Andheeded by Molly as well as by Daisy. Daisy knew that. And all thepleasure of all the tableaux put together could give nothing to Daisyequal to her joy when Molly first began to read. That day, when lettersbegan really to be put together into words to Molly's comprehension, Daisy came home a proud child. Or rather, for pride is a bad word, shecame home with a heart swelling with hope and exultation; hope andexultation that looked forward confidently to the glory to be revealed. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

The great day came, and the evening of the day; and June dressed Daisyfor the party. This was a simple dressing, however, of a white cambrickfrock; no finery, seeing that Daisy was to put on and off various thingsin the course of the evening. But Daisy felt a little afraid of herself. The perfected arrangements and preparations of the last few days had, she feared, got into her head a little; and when June had done and wassent away, Daisy kneeled down by her bedside and prayed a good whilethat God would help her not to please herself and keep her from caringabout dress and appearance and people's flatteries. And then she got upand looked very wistfully at some words of the Lord Jesus which Juanitahad shewed her first and which she found marked by Mr. Dinwiddie'spencil. "The Father hath not left me alone; _for I do always thosethings that please him_. "

Daisy was beginning to learn, that to please God, is not always to seekone's own gratification or that of the world. She looked steadily at thewords of that Friend in heaven whom she loved and wished to obey; andthen it seemed to Daisy that she cared nothing at all about anything butpleasing him. 

"Miss Daisy--" said June, --"Miss Nora is come. "

Away went Daisy, with a bound, to the dressing-room; and carried Noraoff, as soon as she was unwrapped from her mufflings, to see thepreparations in the library. 

"What is all that for?" said Nora. 

"O, that is to shew the pictures nicely. They will look a great dealbetter than if all the room and the books could be seen behind them. "

"Why?"

"I suppose they will look more like pictures. By and by all those lightson the stand will be lighted. And we shall dress in the library, youknow, --nobody will be in it, --and in the room on the other side of thehall. All the things are brought down there. "

"Daisy, " said Nora looking at the imposing green baize screen, "aren'tyou afraid?"

"Are you?" said Daisy. 

"Yes--I am afraid I shall not do something right, or laugh, orsomething. "

"O, but you must not laugh. That would spoil the picture. And Mrs. Sandford and Preston will make everything else right. Come and see thecrown for Ahasuerus!"

So they ran across the hall to the room of fancy dresses. Here Ellapresently joined them with her sister, and indeed so many others of theperformers that Preston ordered them all out. He was afraid of mischief, he said. They trooped back to the library. 

"When are they going to begin?" said Nora. 

"I don't know. O, by and by. I suppose we shall have tea and coffeefirst. People at a party must get through that. "

To await this proceeding, and indeed to share in it, the little companyadjourned to the drawing-room. It was filling fast. All theneighbourhood had been asked, and all the neighbourhood were very gladto come, and here they were, pouring in. Now the neighbourhood meant allthe nice people within ten miles south and within ten miles north; andall that could be found short of some seven or eight miles east. Therewas one family that had even come from the other side of the river. Andall these people made Melbourne House pretty full. Happily it was avery fine night. 

Daisy was standing by the table, for the little folks had tea at atable, looking with a face of innocent pleasure at the scene and thegathering groups of people, when a hand laid gentle hold of her and shefound herself drawn within the doctor's arm and brought up to his side. Her face brightened. 

"What is going on, Daisy?"

"Preston has been getting up some tableaux, Dr. Sandford, to be done bythe young people. "

"Are you one of the young people?"

"They have got me in, " said Daisy. 

"Misled by your appearance? What are you going to play, Daisy?"

Daisy ran off to a table and brought him a little bill of theperformances. The doctor ran his eye over it. 

"I shall know what it means, I suppose, when I see the pictures. What isthis 'Game of Life?'"

"It is Retsch's engraving, " Daisy answered, as sedately as if she hadbeen forty years old. 

"Retsch! yes, I know him--but what does the thing mean?"

"It is supposed to be the devil playing with a young man--for his soul, "Daisy said very gravely. 

"Who plays the devil?"

"Preston does. "

"And who is to be the angel?"

"I am to be the angel, " said Daisy. 

"Very judicious. How do you like this new play, Daisy?"

"It is very amusing. I like to see the pictures. "

"Not to be in them?"

"I think not, Dr. Sandford. "

"Daisy, what else are you doing, besides playing tableaux, all thesedays?"

"I drive about a good deal, " said Daisy. Then looking up at her friendwith an entirely new expression, a light shining in her eye and asubdued sweetness coming into her smile, she added--

"Molly is learning to read, Dr. Sandford. "

"Molly!" said the doctor. 

"Yes. You advised me to ask leave to go to see her, and I did, and I gotit. "

Daisy's words were a little undertone; the look that went with them thedoctor never forgot as long as he lived. His questions about thefestivities she had answered with a placid, pleased face; pleased thathe should ask her; but a soft irradiation of joy had beamed upon thefact that the poor cripple was making a great step upwards in the scaleof human life. The doctor had not forgotten his share in the permissionDaisy had received, which he thought he saw she suspected. Unconsciouslyhis arm closed upon the little figure it held and brought her nearer tohim; but his questions were somehow stopped. And Daisy offered no more;she stood quite still, till a movement at the table seemed to call forher. She put her hand upon the doctor's arm, as a sign that it must holdher no longer, and sprang away. 

And soon now all the young people went back again to the library. Mrs. Sandford came with them to serve in her arduous capacity of dresser. June attended to give her help. 

"Now what are we going to do?" whispered Nora in breathless excitement. "What is to be the first picture? O Daisy, I wish you would get them tohave my picture last of all. "

"Why, Nora?"

"O because. I think it ought to come last. Aren't you afraid? Whew!lam. "

"No, I don't think I am. "

"But won't you want to laugh?"

"Why?" Daisy. "No, I do not think I shall want to laugh. "

"I shall be too frightened to laugh, " said Jane Linwood. 

"I don't see, Daisy, how you will manage those queer wings of yours, "Nora resumed. 

"I have not got to manage them at all. I have only to keep still. "

"I can't think how they will look, " said Nora. "They don't seem to memuch like wings. I think they will look very funny. "

"Hush, children--run away; you are not wanted here. Go into thedrawing-room--and I will ring this hand bell when I want you. "

"What comes first, aunt Sandford?"

"Run away! you will see. "

So the younger ones repaired to the drawing-room, for what seemed aweary time of waiting. Nora expressed her entire disapprobation of beingshut out from all the fun of the dressing; she wanted to see that. Shethen declared that it would be impossible to shew all the twelvepictures that evening, if it took so long to get ready for one. However, the time was past at length; the signal was given; the lights in thedrawing-room were put down, till the room was very shadowy indeed; andthen, amid the breathless hush of expectation, the curtain that hungover the doorway of the library was drawn back. 

The children thought it was fairy-land. 

Frederica Fish sat there facing the company, quaintly dressed in antiquecostume; and before her knelt on one knee two grand-looking personages, very richly attired, presenting a gilt crown upon a satin cushion. LadyJane Grey and the lords who came to offer her the kingdom The draperieswere exceedingly well executed and did Mrs. Sandford great credit. Theywere the picture. 

"Isn't she _beau_-tiful!" Nora exclaimed under her breath. 

"Isn't it like a picture!" said Daisy. 

"How funnily those boys kneel and twist themselves round!" said Jane. "Who are they?"

"Daisy, wouldn't you like to be dressed every day like that?" said Nora. 

"I don't think it would be convenient, " said Daisy. "I think a whitefrock is nicer. "

"O but it makes people look so handsome! Frederica looks like--she is areal beauty! I should like to be dressed so. Daisy, don't you supposequeens and ladies, like those in the pictures, _are_ always dressed so?"

"I suppose they put on nightgowns when they go to bed, " said EllaStanfield soberly. "They can't _always_ be dressed so. "

"O but, I mean, when they are up. And I dare say they wear beautifulnightgowns--Daisy, don't you think they do? I dare say they havesplendid lace and ribands; and you can make a white dress veryhandsome, if you put plenty of lace and ribands. "

"O it's gone!" exclaimed Jane and Ella. The curtain had fallen. Thecompany clapped their hands and cheered. 

"What's that for?" said Nora. 

"That means that they like it, I suppose, " said Daisy. "You will have togo now, Nora, I know. Little Red Riding-Hood comes next. Come--we'll allgo. "

"Horrid Little Red Riding-Hood!" said Nora. "I hate that picture!"

"Why do you hate it?"

"Because!--It is nothing but a red hood. "

Mrs. Sandford's bell sounded. 

"O Daisy!" said Nora as they went, "won't you get them to leave Estherto the last? They will do whatever you ask them. Do!"

"Why, Nora?"

"O because!--"

What Nora's "because" meant, Daisy did not know; that it had referenceto some supposed advantage of place, was pretty certain. Daisy stoodthinking about it while she saw Nora dressed, and then ran into thedrawing-room to take the effect of the tableau. The curtain waswithdrawn; Daisy was astonished; she had no idea that Nora could be sochanged by a little arrangement of lights and dress. The picture wasexceeding pretty. Nora's black hair and bright cheeks peeped out fromunder the shadowing red cardinal, which draped her arms also--Mrs. Sandford had mysteriously managed it. She had got over her hatred of thepart, for she looked pleased and pleasant; and the little basket in herhand and the short petticoat and neat little feet completed a tidy RedRiding-Hood. The applause was loud. "Lovely!" the ladies said. "What asweet little thing! how beautiful she looks!" Nora did not smile, forthat would have hurt her picture; but she stood with swellingcomplacency and unchanging red cheeks as long as the company werepleased to look at her. 

"Who is that, Daisy?" asked her father, near whom Daisy had stationedherself. 

"It is Nora Dinwiddie, papa. "

"She is a pretty little girl. When does your turn come?"

"I do not know, papa. "

"Not know! Why I thought all this was your affair. "

"O no, papa; it is Preston's affair. "

Off ran Daisy however when the curtain fell, or rather when it wasdrawn, to see the getting ready of the next tableau. There was somethingof a tableau on hand already. June stood holding up a small featherbed, and two little figures in white nightgowns were flying round, lookingand laughing at two exceedingly fierce, bearded, moustached, black-browed individuals, on whose heads Mrs. Sandford was setting someodd-looking hats. 

"Who are those, Nora?" said Daisy to Little Red Riding-Hood. 

"Daisy, did you like it? did I stand well?"

"Yes, I liked it very much; it was nice. Nora, who are those two?"

"Why one of 'em is Preston--I don't know who the other is. Daisy, didyou ask about Esther?"

Could it be possible that Preston had so transformed himself? Daisycould hardly see that it was he. His fellow she did not recognize atall. It was big George Linwood. 

"Now are the little princes ready?" said Preston. "Because we willfinish up this business. "

"O you won't let the featherbed come down on us?" cried Jane Linwood. 

"If you don't be quiet and keep still, I will, " said Preston. "Let onlyyour eye wink or your mouth move to smile--and you are an unluckyprince! I am a man without mercy. "

"And I am another, " said George. "I say, old fellow, I suppose I'm allright for that French pikeman now, hey? After this smothering businessis attended to. "

"You think the trade is the thing, and the costume a matter ofindifference?" said Preston. "In the matter of morals I dare say you areright;--in tableaux before spectators it's not exactly so. HereJune--hand on your big pillow there--"

Mrs. Sandford was laughing at him, and in fact there was a good deal ofhilarity and some romping before the actors in the tableau could besettled in their places. 

"Don't keep us long, " said Preston. "I never knew before what anuninteresting thing a featherbed is--when you are obliged to hold it inyour arms. Everything in its place, I find. I used to have a goodopinion of them. "

Daisy ran back to the drawing-room, and was utterly struck with wonderat the picture over which all this fun had been held. It was beautiful, she thought. The two children lay so naturally asleep, one little barefoot peeping out from under the coverings; and the grim faces thatscowled at them over the featherbed with those strange hatsovershadowing, made such a contrast; and they were all so breathlesslystill, and the lights and shadows were so good; Daisy was disposed togive her verdict that there never was a play like this play. The"Princes in the Tower" was greatly applauded. 

"Have you asked about my picture?" said Nora, who stood beside Daisy. 

"No, I have not had a chance. "

"Do, Daisy! I want that to be the last. "

Daisy thought she was unreasonable. Why should Nora have the best place, if it was the best. She was not pleased with her. 

The next picture was Marie Antoinette; and that drew down the house. Frederica Fish had nothing to do but to stand as she was put, and Mrs. Sandford had seen to it that she stood right; another person might havedone more in the picture, but that was all that could be got fromFrederica. Her face was coldly impassive; she could come no nearer tothe expression of the indignant queen. But Preston's old woman, andTheresa's pretty young French girl; one looking as he had said, witheyes of coarse fury, the other all melting with tenderness and reverentsympathy; they were so excellent that the company were delighted. Frederica's handkerchief, it is true, hung daintily in her fingers, shewing all the four embroidered corners; Mrs. Sandford had not seen ittill it was just too late; and Preston declared afterwards the "fury" inhis face was real and not feigned as he glared at her. But the companyoverlooked the handkerchief in favour of the other parts of the picture;and its success was perfect. 

"Alfred in the neat-herd's cottage" followed next, and would have beenas good; only that Nora, whose business it was to blow her cheeks into afull moon condition over the burnt cakes, would not keep her gravity;but the full cheeks gave way every now and then in a broad grin whichquite destroyed the effect. Preston could not see this, but Daisy tookher friend to task after it was over. Nora declared she could not helpit. 

"You don't know how it felt, Daisy, to keep my cheeks puffed out in thatway. I couldn't do it; and whenever I let them go, then I couldn't helplaughing. O, Daisy! is my picture to be the last?"

"I will see, as soon as I can, Nora. " Daisy said gravely. It was her ownturn now, and while Mrs. Sandford was dressing her she had no very goodchance to speak of Esther. How wonderfully Mrs. Sandford arranged thefolds of one or two long scarfs, to imitate Sir Joshua Reynolds'draperies. Preston declared it was beautiful, and so did Hamilton Rush;and when the little helmet with its plumes was set on Daisy's head, Mrs. Sandford smiled and Preston clapped his hands. They had still a littletrouble to get Dolce into position. Dolce was to enact the lion, emblemof courage and strength, lying at Fortitude's feet. He was a sensibledog, but knowing nothing about playing pictures, naturally, did notimmediately understand why it should be required of him to lie downthere, on that platform of green baize, with his nose on his paws. However, more sensible than some animals of higher order are apt to be, he submitted patiently to the duty of obedience where he did notunderstand; and laid down accordingly his shaggy length at Daisy's feet. 

The curtain was drawn aside, and the company shouted with delight. Nopicture had been so good yet as this one. The little grave figure, thehelmet with its nodding plumes in mock stateliness; the attitude, onefinger just resting on the pedestal of the broken column, (an ottomandid duty for it) as if to shew that Fortitude stood alone, and theshaggy St. Bernard at her feet, all made in truth an extremely prettyspectacle. You could see the faintest tinge of a smile of pleasure onthe lips of both Mr. And Mrs. Randolph; they were silent, but all therest of the people cheered and openly declared their delight. Daisystood like a rock. _Her_ mouth never gave way; not even when Dolce, conceiving that all this cheering called upon him to do something, roseup and looking right into Daisy's face wagged his tail in the blandestmanner of congratulation. Daisy did not wince; and an energetic "Down, Dolce, down!"--brought the St. Bernard to his position again, in thevery meekness of strength; and then the people clapped for Daisy and thedog together. At last the curtain fell. 

[Illustration]

"Well, that will do, " said Mrs. Sandford. 

"Dolce--you rascal!" said Preston, as the great creature was now wagginghis tail in honour of his master, --"how came you to forget your businessin that style, sir?"

"I do not think it really hindered the effect at all, Preston, " saidMrs. Sandford. "Daisy kept her countenance so well. "

"Yes, --if Fortitude had smiled!--" said Theresa, "Mrs. Sandford, is itout of character for Fortitude to smile?"

"It would be out of character for Portia, just at this crisis--so takecare of her. "

"What made them make such a great noise, Daisy?" said Nora while Daisywas getting undressed. 

"I suppose they liked the picture, " said Daisy. 

"But they made a great deal more noise than they did for anybody else, "said Nora. 

"I suppose they liked the picture better than they liked any of theothers, " said Ella Stanfield. "I know they did, for I was in the otherroom. Come, let's go see this picture!"

"Not you, Daisy, " said Mrs. Sandford as the children were runningoff--"I want you. Priscilla comes next. "

So Daisy had to stay and be dressed for Priscilla. She missed Portia andBassanio. It was not much missed, for her little heart began to bebeating with excitement; and she wished very much that Priscilla mightbe as much liked as Fortitude. The dressing was an easy matter, for thecostume had been prepared for her and a gown and vandyke made onpurpose. Would Alexander dare to wink this time, she wondered? And thenshe remembered, to her great joy, that he could not; because his facewould be in full view of the people behind the scenes in the library. The little brown spinning-wheel was brought on the platform; a heap offlax at which Priscilla is supposed to have been working, was piledtogether in front of it; and she and Alexander took their places. Thecurtain was drawn aside, and a cry of pleasure from the companytestified to the picturesque prettiness of the representation. It wasaccording to the fact, that Priscilla should be looking in John Alden'sface; it was just at the moment when she is supposed to be rebuking himfor bringing to her his friend's suit and petition. Thinking herselfsafe, and wishing to have the picture as good as possible, Daisy hadventured to direct her eyes upon the face of Alexander Fish, whopersonified the Puritan suitor. To her horror, Alexander, whollyuntouched by the poetry of the occasion and unawed by its hazards, daredto execute a succession of most barefaced and disagreeable winks rightat Priscilla's eyes. Poor Daisy could not stand this. Forgetting hercharacter and the picture and everything, her eyes went down; hereyelids drooped over them; and the expression of grave displeasure wouldhave done for a yet more dissatisfied mood of mind than Priscilla issupposed to have known at the time. The company could not stand this, either; and there burst out a hearty chorus of laughter and cheerstogether, which greatly mortified Daisy. The curtain was drawn, and shehad to face the laughing comments of the people in the library. Theywere unmerciful, she thought. Daisy grew very pink in the face. 

Cinderella was the next picture, in which she had also to play. Dresseswere changed in haste; but meanwhile Daisy began to think aboutherself. Was she all right? Mortified at the breaking of her picture;angry at Alexander; eager to get back praise enough to make amends forthis loss;--whom was little Daisy trying to please? Where was theornament of a meek and quiet spirit now? was it on?

They had after all given her place in the Cinderella tableau; she wasone of the two wicked sisters; and she looked dissatisfied enough forthe character. She wanted to get away to be alone for two minutes; butshe had this part to fill first. It is very hard to play when one'sheart is heavy. Daisy could not go on so. She could not bear it. Withoutwaiting till June could undress her, she slipped away, the moment thecurtain was drawn, and ran across the hall to the dressing room. Peoplewere coming and going everywhere; and Daisy went out upon the piazza. There, in a dark spot, she kneeled down and prayed; that this terriblespirit of pleasing herself might be put away from her. She had but aminute; she knew she must be back again immediately; but she knew too ittakes but a minute for ever so little a prayer to go all the way toheaven; and the answer does not take any longer to come, if it pleasesGod. Daisy was very much in earnest, and quite well knew all that. Shewent back to the library feeling humbled and ashamed, but quiet. Thelibrary was all in commotion. 

Nora was begging that Esther might be put off till the last. Mrs. Sandford and Preston objected. They chose that it should come next. 

"Here is Priscilla, " said Hamilton Rush, --"I beg pardon! it isCinderella's wicked sister--I don't know what _her_ name was. Let ushave your vote, my angel; I will address you in your prospectivecharacter; will you put on your wings at once? Or shall we get done withthe terrestrial first? What do you say?--I hope you are going to makeMiss Stanfield the queen, Mrs. Sandford; she has done one part so wellthat I should like to see her in another. "

"Why, you are going to be Ahasuerus yourself!" said the lady. 

"Am I?" said Hamilton; who it must be noticed had not met for thepractisings as often as the other people, being held not to need them. "Then I must respectfully be allowed to choose my own queen. I vote forMiss Theresa. "

"It is a capital idea, " said Preston. 

"I think so too, " said Mrs. Sandford. "Theresa, my dear, I wonder we didnot think before of something so much to our advantage; but thesechildren seemed to have got the picture into their own hands. You willdo it far better. Come! let me robe you. "

"I would rather be Vashti, " murmured Theresa. "I don't like submissivecharacters. Mrs. Sandford, Vashti is far more in my line. Go off, boys, and get ready! What a pity we didn't think of having Vashti, Mrs. Sandford. "

However, Theresa made no objection to be dressed for Esther. 

"Who will be your supporters? Ella is too short. Jane and Nora?--Whereis Nora!"

Nora was in the furthest corner of the room, seated in gloom. 

"Nora!--"

"I am not going to play any more--" said Nora. 

"You must come and be one of the queen's women--I want you for that. "

"I am not going to play--" repeated Nora; but nobody heard except Daisy. "I am Esther myself! nobody else has any right to be it. I havepractised it, and I know how to do it; and I am Esther myself. Nobodyelse has any right to be Esther!"

Daisy stood by in dismay. She did not know what comfort to bring to thisdistress. 

"I won't play at all!" said Nora. "If I can't be Esther I won't beanything. You have all the good things, Daisy! you have all theprettiest pictures; and I might have had just this one. Just Esther. Ijust wanted to be Esther! It's mean. "

"Why you've been plenty of things I think, " said Jane Linwood, comingnear this corner of gloom. 

"I haven't! I have been that hateful prince in the tower andCinderella's ugly sister--only hateful things. "

"But you were Little Red Riding-Hood. "

"Red Riding-Hood!" exclaimed Nora in unspeakable disdain. "RedRiding-Hood was nothing at all but a red cloak! and Daisy wore feathers, and had the dog--"

And the vision of Queen Esther's jewels and satin gown and mantle hereovercame Nora's dignity if not her wrath: she began to cry. 

"But won't you come and be one of the queen's maids? _they_ will be verynicely dressed too, " Daisy ventured gently. 

"No!--I won't be anybody's maid, I tell you, " sobbed the disconsolatechild. 

"Bring her along, Daisy, " Mrs. Sandford called from the other side ofthe room. --"I am almost ready for her. "

Daisy made another vain effort to bring Nora to reason, and then wentsorrowfully to Mrs. Sandford. She thought tableaux were on the whole asomewhat troublesome amusement. 

"Will I do, Mrs. Sandford?" she said. "Nora does not want to play. "

"In dudgeon, hey?" said the lady. "I expected as much. Well Daisy--Iwill take you. I might perch you up on a foot-cushion to give you alittle more altitude. However--I don't know but it will do. Theresa willbe letting down her own height. "

"I think I am letting myself down altogether, Mrs. Sandford, in allowingAhasuerus to pick me out in that lordly style. But never mind--I shan'ttouch his sceptre any way. Boys, boys!--are you ready?"

"Splendid, Theresa!" said Preston as he came in. "Splendid! You are thevery thing. "

"I am diamonds and satin, you mean. I thank you. I know that is what Iam at present. "

"You look the character, " said Hamilton. 

Theresa made him a mock little courtesy. It was admirably done. It wasthe slightest gesture of supercilious disdain--excellent pantomime. Theboys laughed and shouted, for Theresa's satin and diamonds gave effectto her acting, and she was a good actor. 

This picture had been delayed so long, that at last hearing the shout ofapplause behind the scenes, the audience began to call for their share. In haste, but not the less effectively, Theresa and the rest threwthemselves into attitude and the curtain was pulled aside. Daisy wishedshe could have been in the drawing-room, to see the picture; she knew itmust be beautiful; but she was supporting one jewelled arm of QueenEsther and obliged by her duty to look only at the Queen's face. Daisythought even that was a good deal to look at, it was so magnificentlysurrounded with decoration: but at the same time she was troubled aboutNora and sorry for her own foolishness, so that her own face wasabundantly in character for the grave concern that sat upon it. Thispicture met with, great favour. The people in the library were in muchglee after it was over; all but Daisy and Nora. 

"It is all spoiled!" said the latter. "The evening has been hateful. Iwish I hadn't come. "

"O Nora! don't say that, " Daisy urged. "The pictures are almost overnow; and then we shall have supper. "

"I don't want supper! I only wanted to be Queen Esther and you said Imight. It was the prettiest picture of the whole lot. "

"But I couldn't help it, Nora. "

"I could have done it just as well as Theresa! She didn't look handsomea bit. "

"O Nora, I think she did--for a picture. "

"She didn't a bit; the things she had on looked handsome. "

Daisy was called away. Her last dressing was to be done now, and the oneof which Daisy was most doubtful. She was to stand for the angel in the"Game of Life. " Other people had no doubt about it. Mrs. Sandford wassure that the angel's wings would make a good representation, whichDaisy was slow to believe; near by, they looked so very like gauze andpasteboard! They were arranged, at any rate, to appear as if they grewout of her shoulders; she was arrayed in flowing white draperies overher own little cambrick frock; and then she was ready. Hamilton came in. He was to be the young man in the picture. Daisy liked his appearancewell. But when Preston followed him, she felt unspeakably shocked. Preston was well got up, in one respect; he looked frightful. He wore ablack mask, ugly but not grotesque; and his whole figure was more likethe devil in the picture than Daisy had imagined it could be. She didnot like the whole business at all. There was no getting out of it now;the picture must be given; so the performers were placed. 

Hamilton and Preston sat on two sides of a chess-board, and behind themthe little angel stood watching the game. Mrs. Sandford was right. By askilful placing and shielding of the lamps, the lights were thrownbroadly where they ought to be, on faces and draperies, leaving thegauze wings of the angel in such obscurity that they just shewed as itwas desired they should. The effect was extremely good, and evenartistic. The little angel herself was not in full light; it was througha shade of gloom that her grave face of concern looked down upon thegame on the chess-board. Truly Daisy looked concerned and grave. Shethought she did not like to play such things as this. One of thefigures below her was so very wicked and devilish in its look; andHamilton leaned over the pieces on the board with so well-given anexpression of doubt and perplexity, --his adversary's watch was sointent, --and the meaning of the whole was so sorrowfully deep; thatDaisy gazed unconsciously most like a guardian angel who might see withsorrow the evil one getting the better over a soul of his care. For itwas real to Daisy. She knew that the devil does in truth try to bewitchand wile people out of doing right into doing wrong. She knew that hetries to get the mastery of them; that he rejoices every time to seesthem make a "false move;" that he is a great cunning enemy, all theworse because we cannot see him, striving to draw people to their ruin;and she thought that it was far too serious and dreadful a thing to bemade a _play_ of. She wondered if guardian angels did really watch overpoor tempted souls and try to help them. And all this brought uponDaisy's face a shade of awe, and sorrow, and fear, which was strangelyin keeping with her character as an angel, and very singular in itseffect on the picture. The expressions of pleasure and admiration whichhad burst from the company in the drawing-room at the first sight of it, gradually stilled and ceased; and it was amid a profound and curioussilence and hush that the curtain was at length drawn upon the picture. There were some people among the spectators not altogether satisfied intheir minds. 

"How remarkable!" was the first word that came from anybody's lips inthe darkened drawing-room. 

"Very remarkable!" somebody else said. "Did you ever see such acting?"

"It has all been good, " said a gentleman, Mr. Sandford; "but this _was_remarkable. "

"Thanks, I suppose you know to whose management, " said the soft voice ofthe lady of the house. 

"Management is a good thing, " said the gentleman; "but there was morethan management here, Mrs. Randolph. It was uncommon, upon my word! Isuppose my wife came in for the wings, but where did the _face_ comefrom?"

"Daisy, " said Mr. Randolph as he found his little daughter by his sideagain, --"are you here?"

"Yes, papa. "

Her father put his arm round her, as if to assure himself there were nowings in the case. 

"How do you like playing pictures?"

"I think I do not like them very much--" Daisy said sedately, nestlingup to her father's side. 

"Not? How is that? Your performance has been much approved. "

Daisy said nothing. Mr. Randolph thought he felt a slight tremor in thelittle frame. 

"Do you understand the allegory of this last tableau, Daisy?" Dr. Sandford asked. 

"I do not know what an allegory is, Dr. Sandford. "

"What is the meaning of the representation, then, as you think of it?"

"This last picture?"

"Yes. "

"It is a trial of skill, Dr. Sandford. "

The room was still darkened, and the glance of intelligence andamusement that passed between her friend and her father, their own eyescould scarcely catch. Daisy did not see it. But she had spokendiplomatically. She did not want to come any nearer the subject of thepicture in talking with Dr. Sandford. His mind was different, and hewent on. 

"What is the trial of skill about, Daisy?"

The child hesitated, and then said, speaking low and most unchildlike--

"It is about a human soul. "

"And what do you understand are the powers at work--or at play?"

"It is not play, " said Daisy. 

"Answer Dr. Sandford, Daisy, " said her father. 

"Papa, " said the child, "it isn't play. The devil tries to make peopledo wrong--and if they try to do right, then there is a--"

"A what?"

"I don't know--a fight, papa. "

Mr. Randolph again felt a tremor, a nervous trembling, pass over Daisy. 

"You do not suppose, my darling, " he said softly, "that such a fightgoes on with anything like this horrible figure that your cousin Prestonhas made himself?"

"I do not suppose he looks like that, papa. "

"I do not think there is such a personage at all, Daisy. I am sure youneed not trouble your little head with thinking about it. "

Daisy made no answer. 

"There is a struggle always going on, no doubt, between good and evil;but we cannot paint good and evil without imagining shapes for them. "

"But papa, --" said Daisy, and stopped. It was no place or time fortalking about the matter, though her father spoke low. She did not wanteven Dr. Sandford to hear. 

"What is it, Daisy?"

"Yes, " said the doctor, "I should like to know what the argument is. "

"Papa, " said Daisy, awesomely, --"there is a _place_ prepared for thedevil and his angels. "

Mr. Randolph was silent now. But he felt again that Daisy was nervouslyexcited, by the quiver that passed over her little frame. 

"So you think, Daisy, " said the doctor leaning towards her, --"that thewhite and the black spirits have a fight over the people of this world?"

Daisy hesitated, struggled, quivered, with the feeling and theexcitement which were upon her, tried for self-command and words toanswer. Mr. Randolph saw it all and did not hurry her, though shehesitated a good deal. 

"You think they have a quarrel for us?" repeated the doctor. 

"I don't know, Dr. Sandford--" Daisy answered in a strangely tender andsober voice. It was strange to her two hearers. 

"But you believe in the white spirits, I suppose, as well as in theother branch of the connection?"

"Papa, " said Daisy, her feeling breaking a little through her composureso much as to bring a sort of cry into her voice--"there is joy amongthe angels of heaven whenever anybody grows good!--"

She had turned to her father as she spoke and threw her arms round hisneck, hiding her face, with a clinging action that told somewhat of thatwhich was at work in her mind. Mr. Randolph perhaps guessed at it. Hesaid nothing; he held her close to his breast; and the curtain drew atthat moment for the last tableau. Daisy did not see it, and Mr. Randolphdid not think of it; though people said it was very good, it was onlythe head and shoulders of Theresa Stanfield as an old countryschoolmistress, seen behind a picture frame, with her uplifted fingerand a bundle of rods. Theresa was so transformed that nobody would haveknown her; and while the company laughed and applauded, Daisy came backto her usual self; and slid out of her father's arms when the show wasover, all ready for supper and Nora Dinwiddie. 

There was a grand supper, and everybody was full of pleasure andcomplimentary speeches and discussion and praise of the tableaux. Thatwas among the elder portion of the company. The four or five childrenwere not disposed to such absolute harmony. Grapes and ices andnumberless other good things were well enjoyed, no doubt; but amidstthem all a spirit of criticism was rife. 

"Daisy, your wings didn't look a bit like real wings--" said JaneLinwood. 

"No, " echoed Nora, "I guess they didn't. They were like--let me see whatthey were like! They were like the wings of a windmill. "

"No, they weren't!" said Ella. "I was in the drawing-room--and theydidn't look like a windmill a bit. They looked queer, but pretty. "

"Queer, but pretty!" repeated Nora. 

"Yes, they did, " said Ella. "And you laughed when you were RedRiding-hood, Nora Dinwiddie. "

"I didn't laugh a bit!"

"It is no matter if you did laugh, Nora, " said Daisy;--"you got graveagain, and the picture was very nice. "

"I didn't laugh!" said Nora; "and if I did, everybody else did. I don'tthink the pictures I saw were at all like pictures--they were just likea parcel of people dressed up. "

Some gay paper mottoes made a diversion and stopped the little mouthsfor a time; and then the people went away. 

"Well Daisy, " said Mrs. Gary, --"how do you like this new entertainment?"

"The pictures? I think they were very pretty, aunt Gary. "

"How happened it that somebody else wore my diamonds?" said hermother, --"and not you. I thought you were to be dressed for QueenEsther?"

"Yes, mamma, so I was at first; and then it was thought best--"

"Not by me, " said Preston. "It was no doing of mine. Daisy was to havebeen Esther, and she herself declared off--backed out of it, and left meto do as best I could. "

"What was that for, Daisy?" said Mrs. Gary. "You would have made anexcellent Esther. "

"What was that for, Daisy?" said Mrs. Randolph. "Did you not like to beEsther?"

"Yes, mamma--I liked it at one time. "

"And why not at another time?"

"I found out that somebody else would like it too, mamma; and Ithought----"

Mrs. Randolph broke out with a contemptuous expression of displeasure. 

"You thought you would put yourself in a corner! You were not manager, Daisy; and you must remember something is due to the one that is. Youhave no right to please yourself. "

"Come here, Daisy, " said her father, "and bid me good night. I dare sayyou were trying to please somebody else. Tell mamma she must rememberthe old fable, and excuse you. "

"What fable, Mr. Randolph?" the lady inquired, as Daisy left the room. 

"The one in which the old Grecian told the difficulty of pleasing morepeople than one or two at once. "

"Daisy is ruined!" said Mrs. Randolph. 

"I do not see how it appears. "

"She has not entered into this thing at all as we hoped she would--notat all as a child should. "

"She looked a hundred years old, in the Game of Life, " said Mrs. Gary. "I never saw such a representation in my life. You would have said shewas a real guardian angel of somebody, who was playing his game not toplease her. "

"I am glad it is over!" said Mrs. Randolph. "I am tired of it all. " Andshe walked off. So did Mr. Randolph, but as he went he was thinking ofDaisy's voice and her words--"There is joy among the angels of heavenwhenever anybody grows good. "

CHAPTER XIX. 

It was growing late in the fall now. Mrs. Randolph began to talk ofmoving to the city for the winter. Mr. Randolph more than half hintedthat he would like as well to stay where he was. But his wife said thatfor Daisy's sake they must quit Melbourne, and try what new scenes, andlessons, and dancing school would do for her. "Not improve the colour inher cheeks, I am afraid, " said Mr. Randolph; but however he did notoppose, and Mrs. Randolph made her arrangements. 

It was yet but a day or two after the tableaux, when something happenedto disturb her plans. Mr. Randolph was out riding with her, one fineOctober morning, when his horse became unruly in consequence of a stonehitting him; a chance stone thrown from a careless hand. The animal wasrestive, took the stone very much in dudgeon, ran, and carrying hisrider under a tree, Mr. Randolph's forehead was struck by a low-lyinglimb and he was thrown off. The blow was severe; he was stunned; and hadnot yet recovered his senses when they brought him back to Melbourne. Mrs. Randolph was in a state almost as much beyond self-management. Daisy was out of the house. Mrs. Gary had left Melbourne; and till thedoctor arrived Mrs. Randolph was nearly distracted. 

He came; and though his fine face took no gloom upon it and his blue eyewas as usual impenetrable, the eyes that anxiously watched him were notsatisfied. Dr. Sandford said nothing; and Mrs. Randolph hadself-control sufficient not to question him, while he made hisexaminations and applied his remedies. But the remedies, though severe, were a good while in bringing back any token of consciousness. It cameat last, faintly. The doctor summoned Mrs. Randolph out of the room thenand ordered that his patient should be kept in the most absolute andprofound quiet. No disturbance or excitement must be permitted to comenear him. 

"How long, doctor?"

"I beg your pardon, Mrs. Randolph?--"

"How long will it be before he is better?"

"I cannot say that. Any excitement or disturbance would much delay it. Let him hear nothing and see nothing--except you, and some attendantthat he is accustomed to. "

"O doctor, can't you stay till he is better?"

"I will return again very soon, Mrs. Randolph. There is nothing to bedone at present for which I am needed. "

"But you will come back as soon as you can?"

"Certainly!"

"And O, Dr. Sandford, cannot you take Daisy away?"

"Where is she?"

"I don't know--she is not come home. Do take her away!"

The doctor went thoughtfully down stairs, and checking his firstmovement to go out of the front door, turned to the library. Nobody wasthere; but he heard voices, and passed out upon the piazza. Daisy's ponychaise stood at the foot of the steps; she herself had just alighted. Preston was there too, and it was his voice the doctor had first heard, in anxious entreaty. 

"Come, Daisy!--it's capital down at the river; and I want to shew yousomething. "

"I think I am tired now, Preston. I'll go another time, " said Daisy. 

"Daisy, I want you now. Come! come!--I want you to go now, thisminute. "

"But I do not feel like a walk, Preston. I can't go till I have had mydinner. "

Preston looked imploringly at the doctor, towards whom Daisy was nowmounting the steps. It is safe to say that the doctor would willinglyhave been spared his present task. 

"Where have you been now, Daisy?" he said. 

Daisy's face brightened into its usual smile at sight of him. "I havebeen to Crum Elbow, Dr. Sandford. "

"Suppose you go a little further and have luncheon with Mrs. Sandfordand me? It will not take us long to get to it. "

"Does mamma say so, Dr. Sandford?"

"Yes. "

"Then I will be ready in a moment. "

"Where are you going?" said her friend stopping her. 

"Only up stairs for a minute. I will be ready in two minutes, Dr. Sandford. "

"Stop, " said the doctor, still detaining her. "I would rather not haveyou go up stairs. Your father is not quite well, and I want him keptquiet. "

What a shadow came over Daisy's sunshine. 

"Papa not well! What is the matter?"

"He does not feel quite like himself, and I wish him left in perfectrepose. "

"What is the matter with him, Dr. Sandford?"

Daisy's words were quiet, but the doctor saw the gathering woe on hercheek; the roused suspicion. This would not do to go on. 

"He has had a little accident, Daisy; nothing that you need distressyourself about; but I wish him to be quite quiet for a little. "

Daisy said nothing now, but the speech of her silent face was soeloquent that the doctor found it expedient to go on. 

"He was riding this morning; his horse took him under the low bough ofa tree, and his head got a severe blow. That is all the matter. "

"Was papa _thrown_?" said Daisy under her breath. 

"I believe he was. Any horseman might be unseated by such a thing. "

Daisy again was mute, and again the doctor found himself obliged toanswer the agony of her eyes. 

"I do not think he is in much, if any, pain, Daisy; but I want him to bestill for a while. I think that is good for him; and it would not begood that you should disturb him. Your mother is there, and that isenough. "

Daisy stood quite still for a few minutes. Then making an effort towithdraw herself from the doctor's arm she said, "I will not go into the room--I will not make any noise. "

"Stop! Daisy, you must not go up stairs. Not this morning. "

She stood still again, grew white and trembled. 

"As soon as I think it will do him good to see you, I will let you intohis room. Now, shall we send June up for anything you want?"

"I think, Dr. Sandford, " said Daisy struggling for steadiness, "I willnot go away from home. "

Her words were inexpressibly tender and sorrowful. The doctor wasunrelenting. 

"Your mother desired it. "

"Did mamma----?"

"Yes; she wished me to carry you home with me. Come, Daisy! It is hard, but it is less hard after all than it would be for you to wander abouthere; and much better. "

Daisy in her extremity sunk her head on the doctor's shoulder, and soremained, motionless, for more minutes than he had to spare. Yet he wasstill too, and waited. Then he spoke to her again. 

"I will go, " said Daisy. 

"You wanted something first?"

"I did not want anything but to change my gloves. It is no matter. "

Very glad to have gained his point, the doctor went off with his charge;drove her very fast to his own home, and there left her in Mrs. Sandford's care; while he drove off furiously again to see anotherpatient before he returned to Melbourne. 

It was a long day after that to Daisy; and so it was to Mrs. Sandford. Nora Dinwiddie was no longer with her; there was nobody to be adistraction or a pleasure to the grave little child who went about withsuch a weird stillness or sat motionless with such unchildlike quiet. Mrs. Sandford did not know what to do; but indeed nothing could be donewith Daisy. She could not be amused or happy; she did not wish Nora werethere; she could only keep patient and wait, and wait, with a sore, straining heart, while the hours passed and Dr. Sandford did not comeand she had no tidings. Was she patient? It seemed to Daisy that herheart would burst with impatience; or rather with its eager longing toknow how things were at home and to get some relief. The hours of theday went by, and no relief came. Dr. Sandford did not return. Daisy tookit as no good omen. 

It was hard to sit at the dinner-table and have Mr. And Mrs. Sandfordshewing her kindness, while her heart was breaking. It was hard to bequiet and still and answer politely and make no trouble for herentertainers. It was hard; but Daisy did it. It was hard to eat too; andthat Daisy could not do. It was impossible. 

"Mustn't be cast down, " said Mr. Sandford. He was one of the people wholook as if they never could be. Black whiskers and a round facesometimes have that kind of look. "Mustn't be cast down! No need. Everybody gets a tumble from horseback once or twice in his life. I'vehad it seven times. Not pleasant; but it don't hurt you much, nine timesin ten. "

"Hush, Mr. Sandford, " said his wife. "Daisy cannot feel about it just asyou do. "

"Never been thrown yet herself, eh! Give her one of those peaches, mydear--she will like that better than meats to-day. Eat one of myred-cheeked peaches, Daisy; and tell me whether you have any so good atMelbourne. I don't believe it. "

Daisy peeled her peach. It was all she could bear to do. She peeled itcarefully and slowly; there never was a peach so long in paring; for itwas hardly more than finished when they rose from table. She had triedto taste it too; that was all; the taste never reached herconsciousness. Mrs. Sandford knew better than her husband, and let heralone. 

Daisy could think of nothing now but to watch for the doctor; and to doit with the most comfort and the best chance she placed herself on thesteps of the piazza, sitting down on the uppermost step. It was a fairevening; warm and mild; and Mrs. Sandford sitting in her drawing-roomwith the windows open was but a few feet from Daisy and could observeher. She did so very often, with a sorrowful eye. Daisy's attitudebespoke her intentness; the child's heart was wound up to such a pitchof expectation that eye and ear were for nothing else. She sat bendingboth upon the road by which she looked for the doctor to come; herlittle figure did not stir; her head rested slightly on her hand with adroop that spoke of weariness or of weakness. So she sat looking downthe road, and the sweet October light was all over her and all aroundher. Mrs. Sandford watched her, till the light lost its brightness andgrew fair and faint, and then began to grow dim. Daisy sat still, andMrs. Sandford looked at her, till a step within the room drew herattention on that side. 

"Why there you are!" said the lady--"come the other way. What news?"

"I have no news. "

"Yes, but how is Mr. Randolph?" The lady had dropped her voice very low. 

"He is sensible. "

"Sensible!" Mrs. Sandford said with a startled look; but then drawingthe doctor silently to her side she pointed to the watching, anxiouslittle figure there on the steps. It did not need that Dr. Sandfordshould speak her name. Daisy had perfectly well heard and understood thewords that had passed; and now she rose up slowly and came towards thedoctor who stepped out to meet her. 

"Well, Daisy--have you been looking for me?" he said. But something inthe little upturned face admonished him that no light words could beborne. He sat down and took her hand. 

"Your father looks better than he did this morning; but he feels badlyyet after his fall. "

Daisy looked at him and was silent a moment. 

"Will they send for me home?"

"Not to-night, I think. Mrs. Randolph thought better that you shouldstay here. Can't you do it contentedly?"

Daisy made no audible answer; her lip quivered a very little; it did notbelie the singular patience which sat upon her brow. Her hand lay yet inthe doctor's; he held it a little closer and drew the childaffectionately to his side, keeping her there while he talked with Mrs. Sandford upon other subjects; for he said no more about Melbourne. Stillwhile he talked he kept his arm round Daisy, and when tea was brought hehardly let her go. But tea was not much more to Daisy than dinner hadbeen; and when Mrs. Sandford offered to shew her to her room if shedesired it, Daisy accepted the offer at once. 

Mrs. Sandford herself wished to supply the place of June, and would havedone everything for her little guest if she could have been permitted. Daisy negatived all such proposals. She could do everything for herself, she said; she wanted no help. A bag of things had been packed for herby June and brought in the doctor's gig. Daisy was somehow sorry to seethem; they looked like preparations for staying. 

"We will send for June to-morrow, Daisy, if your mamma will leave youstill with me. "

"O, I shall go home to-morrow--I hope, " said Daisy. "I hope--" sherepeated humbly. 

"Yes, I hope so, " said Mrs. Sandford. She kissed Daisy and went away. Itwas all Daisy wanted, to be alone. The October night was mild; she wentto the window; one of the windows, which looked out upon the grass andtrees of the courtyard, now lighted by a faint moon. Daisy sunk down onher knees there; the sky and the stars were more homelike than anythingelse; and she felt so strange, so miserable, as her little heart hadnever known anything like before. She knew well enough what it allmeant, her mother's sending her away from home, her father's not beingable to bear any disturbance. Speak as lightly, look as calmly as theywould, she knew what was the meaning underneath people's faces andvoices. Her father had been very much hurt; quite well Daisy was assuredof that. He was too ill to see her, or too ill for her mother to likeher to see him. Daisy knelt down; she remembered she had a Father inheaven, but it seemed at first as if she was too broken hearted to pray. Yet down there through the still moonlight she remembered his eye couldsee her and she knew he had not forgotten his little child. Daisy neverheard her door open; but it did once, and some time after it did again. 

"I do not know what to do--" said Mrs. Sandford down stairs. There thelamps made a second bright day; and the two gentlemen were busy over thetable with newspapers and books. Both of them looked up, at the sound ofher perplexed voice. 

"That child, --" said Mrs. Sandford. "She is not in bed yet. "

The lady stood by the table; she had just come from Daisy's room. 

"What is she doing?" her husband asked. 

"I don't know. She is kneeling by the open window. She was there an hourago, and she is there yet. She has not moved since. "

"She has fallen asleep--" suggested Mr. Sandford. "I should say, wakeher up. "

"She is too wide awake now. She is lifting her little face to the sky, in a way that breaks my heart. And there she has been, this hour andmore. "

"Have some supper directly, and call her down, --" was the secondsuggestion of the master of the house. "It will be supper-time soon. Here--it's some time after nine. "

"Grant, what is the matter with Mr. Randolph? Is it very serious?"

"Mrs. Randolph thinks so, I believe. Have you spoken to Daisy?"

"No, and I cannot. Unless I had good news to carry to her. "

"Where is she?" said the doctor getting up. 

"In the room next to yours. "

So Mrs. Sandford sat down and the doctor went up stairs. The next thinghe stood behind Daisy at her window. She was not gazing into the skynow; the little round head lay on her arms on the window-sill. 

"What is going on here?" said a soft voice behind her. 

"O! Dr. Sandford--" said the child jumping up. She turned and faced herfriend, with a face so wistful and searching, so patient, yet sostrained with its self-restraint and fear, that the doctor felt it wassomething serious with which he had to do. He did not attempt a lighttone before that little face; he felt that it would not pass. 

"I came up to see _you_" he said. "I have nothing new to tell, Daisy. What are you about?"

"Dr. Sandford, " said the child, "won't you tell me a little?"

The inquiry was piteous. For some reason or other, the doctor did notanswer it with a put-off, nor with flattering words, as doctors are soapt to do. Perhaps it was not his habit, but certainly in other respectshe was not too good a man to do it. He sat down and let the moonlightshow Daisy his face. 

"Daisy, " he said, "your father was stunned by his blow, and needs to bekept in perfect quiet for a time, until he is quite over it. Peopleafter such a fall often do; but I do not know that any otherconsequences whatever will follow. "

"He was stunned--" repeated Daisy. 

"Yes. "

The child did not say any more, yet her eyes of searching eagernessplainly asked for fuller information. They were not content nor at rest. 

"Can't you have patience and hope for other tidings to-morrow?"

"May I?--" said Daisy. 

"May you? Certainly. It was your mother's wish to send you here--notmine. It was not needful; though if you could be content, I think itwould be well. "

She looked a little relieved; very little. 

"Now what are you doing? Am I to have two patients on my hand in yourfamily?"

"No, sir. "

"What are you doing then, up so late? Watching the stars?"

"No, sir. "

"I am your physician--you know you must tell me everything. What wereyou about, Daisy?"

"Dr. Sandford, " said Daisy, in difficulty how to speak, --"I was seekingcomfort. "

And with the word, somehow, Daisy's self-restraint failed; her headwent down on the doctor's shoulder; and when she lifted it up there weretwo or three tears that needed to be brushed away. No more; but thedoctor felt the slight little frame tremble. 

"Did you find comfort, Daisy?" he said kindly. "I ask as your physician;because if you are using wrong measures for that end I shall forbidthem. What were you doing to get comfort?"

"I did not want to go to sleep, sir. "

"Daisy, I am going to carry you down to have some supper. "

"O, I do not want any, Dr. Sandford!"

"Are you ready to go down?"

"No sir--in a minute, --I only want to brush my hair. "

"Brush it, then. "

Which Daisy did; then coming to her friend with a face as smoothly inorder as the little round head, she repeated humbly, "I do not want anything, Dr. Sandford. "

"Shall I carry you down?"

"O no, sir. "

"Come then. One way or the other. And Daisy, when we are down stairs, and when you come up again, you must obey my orders. "

The supper-table was laid. Mrs. Sandford expressed delight at seeingDaisy come in, but it would maybe have been of little avail had herkindness been the only force at work. It was not. The doctor prescribedpeaches and bread, and gave Daisy grapes and a little bit of coldchicken; and was very kind and very imperative too; and Daisy did notdare nor like to disobey him. She eat the supper, which tasted good whenhe made her eat it; and then was dismissed up stairs to bed, with ordersto go straight to sleep. And Daisy did as she was told. 

CHAPTER XX. 

The doctor's horse was before the door, and Daisy was on the piazza. Thedoctor came out, ready for his day's work. 

"Do you want me to do anything for you at Melbourne, Daisy?"

"Cannot I go home to-day, Dr. Sandford?"

"I do not know. Supposing that you be still kept in banishment--whatthen?"

Daisy struggled with herself--succeeded, and spoke calmly. 

"I should like to have Loupe sent, Dr. Sandford, if you please. "

"Loupe? what is that? What is Loupe, Daisy?"

"My pony, sir. My pony chaise. "

"Oh!--Not to drive to Melbourne?"

Daisy met the doctor's blue eye full, and answered with guilelesssubmission. "No, sir. "

"I will send Loupe. By the way--Daisy, have you business on hand?"

"Yes, sir. "

"So much that you can do none for me?"

"O no, sir. I have not a great deal of business. What may I do, Dr. Sandford?"

"Can you go to Crum Elbow?"

"Yes, sir. I have got to go there. "

"All right, then. Daisy, there is a poor family down by the railwaythat were burnt out a night or two ago; they have lost everything. Theneighbours will have to supply them with a few things. Will you go tothe village and buy clothing for two little children, six and sevenyears old? One is a girl, the other a boy. "

The doctor took out his pocket-book and began to look over bank bills. 

"Dresses, do you mean, Dr. Sandford?--and a boy's dress?"

"I mean, everything they need to put on--dresses and petticoats, andjacket and trowsers, and a shirt or two for the boy. Here is money, Daisy; spend whatever you find needful. "

"But, Dr. Sandford--"

"Well?"

"I don't believe Mr. Lamb keeps those things ready made. "

"I am sure he does not. Buy the stuff, Daisy--all the stuff--we will seeabout getting it made afterwards. You can consult my sister, Mrs. Sandford, about quantities and all that; or I dare say the storekeepercan tell you. "

So away went the doctor. Daisy felt in great need of consultingsomebody; but Mrs. Sandford was busy, and so engaged that there was nochance for several hours. Not indeed before the pony chaise came; andDaisy resolved then to wait no longer, but to do some other businessfirst. 

The news that she eagerly asked for from Melbourne was not much when shegot it. Sam knew little; he believed Mr. Randolph was better, he said;but his tone of voice was not very encouraging, and Daisy drove off toJuanita's cottage. There was one person, she knew, who could feel withher; and she went with a sort of eagerness up the grassy pathway fromthe road to the cottage door, to get that sympathy. 

Juanita was within, busy at some ironing. The work fell from her handsand the iron was set down with an expression of pleasure as she sawDaisy come in. The next minute her tone changed and her look. 

"What ails my love?"

"Juanita--" said Daisy standing still and pale by the ironing table, "--haven't you heard? Papa--"

"What, Miss Daisy?"

"Papa--he was knocked off his horse yesterday--_and they won't let mesee him!_"

So far Daisy's power of composure went, and no further. With that lastword her voice failed. She threw her arms around Juanita, and hiding herface in her gown, burst into such tears as Daisy rarely shed at all;very rarely under any one's observation. Juanita, very much startled, sat down and drew the child into her arms, so far as she could; forDaisy had sunk on her knees, and with her face in Juanita's lap wasweeping all her heart out. Mrs. Benoit hardly knew how to ask questions. 

"Why must not Miss Daisy see her papa?"

"I don't know!--I suppose--he's not well enough. "

Juanita breathed more freely. 

"Let us pray for him, Miss Daisy. "

"O yes, Juanita, do!--"

There was an intensity of meaning in these words and in Daisy's hurriedassuming of another place and posture to leave Juanita free to kneeltoo, that almost took away the black woman's power of speech. She readwhat was breaking the child's heart; she knew what for was thatsuppressed cry of longing. For a moment Juanita was silent. But she hadlong known not only trouble but the refuge from trouble; and to thatrefuge she now went, and carried Daisy. As one goes who has often beenthere; who has many a time proved it a sure refuge; who knows it sureand safe and unfailing. So she prayed; while Daisy's sobs at first wereexcessive, and then by degrees calmed and quieted and ceased. They werequite still before Juanita finished; and when they rose up from theirknees Daisy's face was composed again. Then, she came and stood with herhand on Juanita's shoulder, both of them silent; till Daisy put her lipsto the fine olive-dark cheek of the old woman and kissed it. Juanitadrew her into her arms, and Daisy sat there, nestling and tired. 

"Can Miss Daisy trust the Lord?"

"Trust him, --how. Juanita?"

"That he do no harm to his little child?"

"O it isn't _me_, Juanita--" Daisy said with a very tender and sadaccent. 

"When Joseph--my love knows the story--when he was sold away from hisfather and home, to be servant of strangers far off--maybe he thought itwas hard times. But the Lord meant it for good, and the father and thechild came together again, in a happy day. "

Daisy rose up, or rather raised her head, and looked steadily in herfriend's face as if to see what this might mean. 

"The Lord knoweth them that trust in him, " said the black woman. 

Daisy's head went down again; and there was a long silence. It wasbroken at last by Juanita's offering her some refreshment; and thenDaisy started up to the business on hand. She explained to Juanita whereshe was staying, and what she had that morning to do. Meanwhile Juanitamade her take some bread and milk. 

"So how much must I get, Juanita? can you tell me? how much for twolittle frocks, and two little petticoats, and one suit of boy'sclothes?"

"My love knows, it must be accordin' to the stuff. If the stuff narrow, she want more; if wide, she want less. "

"Then you cannot tell me;--and Mrs. Sandford could not either. And Icannot tell. What shall I do?"

"Mrs. Sandford maybe get the things for Miss Daisy. "

"No, she must not. Dr. Sandford wants me to do it. I must get them, Juanita. "

"Hm! Suppose I put up my irons and walk round to the village--and MissDaisy go in her shay. "

"To the store!" cried Daisy. "O yes, Juanita; get ready, and I will takeyou with me. Then you can tell me all about it. "

Juanita demurred and objected to this proposal, but Daisy was greatlypleased and would have it so. Mrs. Benoit put up her ironing work, andarrayed her head in a new clean bright handkerchief, wonderfully put on;she was ready then; and Sam grinned to see the tall fine figure of theold coloured woman sitting in the pony chaise by the side of his littlemistress. It was as good to Daisy as anything could have been that day. They drove into Crum Elbow, went to the store; and there she and Juanitahad a pretty large morning's business in choosing the various goods Dr. Sandford had desired Daisy to get. Daisy got excited over it. Calico fora little frock, and muslin for the underclothes, and stuff for the boy'sjacket and trowsers and shirt; Juanita knew the quantities necessary, and Daisy had only the trouble of choice and judgment of various kinds. But that was a great responsibility, seeing she was doing it for Dr. Sandford. It took a good while. Then Daisy drove Juanita home again, gave her another kiss, and with her carriage load of dry goods and atired and hungry little body went home to Mrs. Sandford's. 

It was then pretty late in the day, and the doctor not come in. Daisydressed, and went down to the drawing-room to wait for him. Not longthis time. There was a certain air of calm strength about Dr. Sandford'sface and cool blue eye, that Daisy loved; she felt she loved it now, asshe saw him come in; she trusted him. He spoke first to his brother andsister; then came where Daisy was standing, sat down on the sofa andplaced her beside him. 

"I have no bad news for you, Daisy, " he said kindly, --"and not the goodnews neither that you are looking for. Your father is no worse, thoughit will require several days to let him recover from the immediateeffects of his accident. The quieter he is meanwhile the better. "

"And mamma--she said--?"

"She said--yes, you have guessed it; she would like to have you remainhere for a few days longer. She thinks you are better under my care thanunder hers. "

"Under _my_ care, I think it is, " said Mrs. Sandford. 

"Can you bear it, Daisy?"

She looked up meekly and answered, "Yes, Dr. Sandford. " So meekly thatthe doctor's eye took special note of her. 

"Have you been to Crum Elbow to-day?"

"Yes, sir. I got all the things. "

"All of them?"

"Yes, sir. "

"What reward shall I give you?"

She had been speaking with a sad meekness, a sober self restraint, unlike her years. If Dr. Sandford meant to break it up, which I think hedid, he had partial success. Daisy looked up and smiled at him. But yetit was a meek smile, and sad even in its composed denial of any notionof reward. Not satisfactory to the doctor. 

"I always repay anybody that does me any service, " he went on. 

"Ought one always to do that?" said Daisy. 

"What is your judgment?"

"I think _everybody_ could not. "

"Why not?"

"Some people have nothing to pay with, --for things that are done forthem. "

"I do not believe that. "

"_Some_ people, Dr. Sandford?"

"Whom do you know in that condition--for instance?"

"Why, I--for instance. "

"You! What cannot you pay for?"

"A great many things, " said Daisy slowly. "Hardly any thing. I am only achild. "

"How is it about Molly Skelton? Does she pay you for the variousattentions she receives from you?"

"Pay me, Dr. Sandford! I do not want pay. "

"You are very unlike me, then, " said the doctor; "that is all I have tosay. "

"Why Dr. Sandford, what pay could she give me?"

"Don't you get any, then?"

"Why no, sir, " said Daisy, eagerly answering the doctor's blue eye. "Except--yes, of course, I get a sort of pay; but Molly does not--yesshe _does_ give it to me; but I mean, she does not mean to pay me. "

The doctor smiled, one of those rare pleasant smiles, that shewed hiswhite teeth in a way that Daisy liked; it was only a glimmer. 

"What sort of pay is that?--which she gives, and does not mean to give, and you take and do not ask for?"

"O!--_that_ sort of pay!" said Daisy. "Is it _that_ sort you mean, Dr. Sandford?"

"That is one sort. "

"But I mean, is it the sort that you always give, you say?"

"Always, when people deserve it. And then, do you not think it isnatural to wish to give them, if you can, some other sort of pay?"

"I think it is, " said Daisy sedately. 

"I am glad you do not disapprove of it. "

"But I do not think people _want_ that other kind of pay. Dr. Sandford. "

"Perhaps not. I suppose it is a selfish gratification of oneself to giveit. "

Daisy looked so earnestly and so curiously at him, as if to see what allthis was about, that the doctor must have had good command of his lipsnot to smile again. 

They went in to dinner just then and the conversation stopped. Butthough not talked to, Daisy was looked after; and when she had forgottenall about dinner and was thinking mournfully of what was going on athome, a slice of roast beef or a nice peach would come on her plate witha word from the doctor--"You are to eat that, Daisy"--and though he saidno more, somehow Daisy always chose to obey him. At last they went intothe drawing-room again and were drinking coffee. Daisy was somewhatcomforted; she thought Dr. Sandford did not act as if there wereanything very dreadful the matter at home. 

"Daisy, " said the doctor, "you have done work for me to-day--would youobject to be paid?"

Daisy looked up smiling; it depended on what the pay might be, shethought; but she said nothing. 

"Would it be violently against your principles?"

"I do not want pay, Dr. Sandford. "

"Not if I were to offer to give you a sight of those little baskets onthe frond of the _Marchantia_?"

Daisy's face all changed; but she said in the quietest manner, "Can youdo that, Dr. Sandford?"

"Come with me. "

He held out his hand, which Daisy willingly took, and they went upstairs together. Just short of her room the doctor stopped, and turnedinto his own. This was a very plain apartment; there was no beauty offurniture, though it struck Daisy there was a great deal of something. There were boxes, and cabinets, and shelves full of books and boxes, andbookcases, and one or two tables. Yet it was not a pretty-looking room, like the others in Mrs. Sandford's house. Daisy was a littledisappointed. The doctor however gave her a chair, and then brought oneof the unlikely deal boxes to the table and opened it. Daisy forgoteverything. There appeared a polished, very odd brass machine, which thedoctor took out and spent some time in adjusting. Daisy patiently lookedon. 

"Do you know what this is, Daisy?"

"No, sir. "

"It is a microscope. And looking through this, you will see what youcould not see with your two eyes alone; there are some strong magnifyingglasses here--and I found to-day some plants of Marchantia growing in asheltered place. Here is one of the baskets for you--"

"Is it on that bit of green leaf?"

"Yes, but you can see nothing there. Try this view. "

[Illustration]

He stood back and helped Daisy to take a kneeling position in her chair, so that her eye could reach the eye-piece of the microscope. Daisylooked, took her eye away to give a wondering glance of inquiry at herfriend's face, and then applied it to the microscope again; a pink hueof delight actually spreading over her poor little pale cheeks. It wasso beautiful, so wonderful. Again Daisy took her eye away to examine outof the glass the coarse little bit of green leaf that lay upon thestand; and looked back at the show in the microscope with a bewitchedmind. It seemed as if she could never weary of looking from one to theother. The doctor bade her take her own time, and Daisy took a gooddeal. 

"What stuffs did you buy this morning?" the doctor asked. Daisy drewback from the microscope. 

"I got all you told me, sir?"

"Exactly. I forget what that was. "

"I bought a little piece of red and green linsey-woolsey for a frockfor the little girl--and some brown strong stuff for the boy's suit; andthen white muslin to make things for the girl, and blue check for theboy's shirt. "

"Just right. Did your money hold out?"

"O I had three dollars and two shillings left, Dr. Sandford. Twoshillings and sixpence, I believe. "

"You did well. " The doctor was arranging something else in themicroscope. He had taken out the bit of liverwort. 

"I had Juanita to help me, " said Daisy. 

"How do you suppose I am going to get all those things made up?" saidthe doctor. 

"Won't Mrs. Sandford attend to it?"

"Mrs. Sandford has her own contribution to attend to. I do not wish togive her mine too. "

"Cannot the children's mother make the things?"

The doctor's lip curled in funny fashion. 

"They have no mother, I think. There is an old aunt, or grandmother, orsomething, that does _not_ take care of the children. I shall not trustthe business certainly to her. "

Daisy wondered a little that Mrs. Sandford, who was so good-natured, could not do what was needful; but she said nothing. 

"I think I shall turn over the whole thing in charge to you, Daisy?"

"But, Dr. Sandford, what can _I_ do?"

"Drive down with me to-morrow and see how big the children are, and thenhave the things made. "

"But I am afraid I do not know enough. "

"I dare say you can find out. _I_ do not know enough--that is verycertain; and I have other things to attend to besides overseeingmantua-makers. "

"Our seamstress could do it, --if I could see her. "

"Very well, then some other seamstress can. Now, Daisy--you may look atthis. "

"What a beautiful thing! But what is it, Dr. Sandford?"

"What does it look like?"

"It does not look like anything that I ever saw. "

"It is a scale from a butterfly's wing. "

"Why, it is as large as a small butterfly, " said Daisy. 

The doctor shewed her where the little scale lay, so little that shecould hardly see it out of the glass; and Daisy went back to thecontemplation of its magnified beauty with immense admiration. Then herfriend let her see the eye of a bee, and the tongue of a fly, and diversother wonders, which kept Daisy busy until an hour which was late forher. Busy and delightfully amused. 

CHAPTER XXI. 

One day passed after another, and Daisy looked longingly for her summonshome, and still she did not receive it. Her fears and agonies weresomewhat quieted; because Dr. Sandford assured her that her father wasgetting better; but he never said that her father was well, or that hehad not been very ill. Daisy knew that the matter had been very seriousthat had prevented her being at Melbourne all these days. Her imaginingsof evil were doubtful and dim; but it seemed to her that her fatherhimself would have commanded her presence in all ordinary circumstances;and a doubt like an ice-wind sometimes swept over her little spirit, whether he could be too ill to know of her absence! No word that could, be said would entirely comfort Daisy while this state of things lasted;and it was very well for her that she had a wise and energetic friendwatching over her welfare, in the meanwhile. If business could keep herfrom pining and hinder her from too much imagining, Dr. Sandford tookcare that she had it. He contrived that she should indeed oversee themaking of the dresses for the poor children, and it was a very greatcharge for Daisy. A great responsibility; it lay on her mind for days, and gave occasion for a number of drives to Crum Elbow and to Juanita'scottage. Then at evening, after hearing her report progress, the doctorwould take Daisy up to his room, and shew her many a wonder and beautythat little Daisy had never dreamed of before; and the friendshipbetween the two grew closer than ever. 

"Grant, you are a good fellow!" said Mrs. Sandford one night. "I do notknow what I should do with that child, if it were not for you. "

"You would do nothing. She would not be here if it were not for me. "

"I do not suppose, however, that your care for her is dictated by aconscientious regard for that fact. It is good of you. "

"She is my patient, Mrs. Sandford. "

"Yes, yes; _im_patient would be the word with some young men. "

"I am glad you do not class me with such young men. "

"Well, no child ever gave less cause for impatience, I will say that. Nor had more. Poor child! How she looks at you every day when you comehome! But I suppose you doctors get hard hearts. "

Dr. Sandford's lips curled a little into one of the smiles that Daisyliked, but he said nothing. 

Daisy did look hard at her friend those days, but it was only when hecame home. So she was not expecting anything the next morning when hesaid to her, "Daisy--will you take a ride with me?"

Daisy looked up. The doctor was sitting by the breakfast-table, poringover a newspaper. Breakfast was done, and Daisy herself busy with abook. So she only answered, "If you please, Dr. Sandford. "

"Where shall we go?"

Daisy looked surprised. "I supposed you had business, sir. "

"So I have. I am going to visit a patient. Perhaps you would like tomake the visit with me. "

"To one of your patients, Dr. Sandford?"

"Yes, one. Not more than one. But I think that one would like to seeyou. "

A light came into Daisy's face, and colour started upon her cheeks, almost painfully. 

"Dr. Sandford--do you mean--"

"I think so, Daisy, " said her friend quietly. "It will do no harm, --ifyou are a good child. "

He was so quiet, that it stilled Daisy's feeling, which else might havebeen impetuous. There was danger of that, as the child's eye and cheekbore witness. But she only said, "I'll get ready, Dr. Sandford--" andwent off in orderly style till she reached the hall and was out ofsight. Then Daisy's feet made haste up the stairs. In three minutes shewas back again, with her hat and gloves in her hand. 

The doctor threw down his newspaper and drew her up to him. 

"Daisy, can you be quiet?"

"I think so, Dr. Sandford. "

"I think so too; therefore I tell you beforehand that I wish it. Yourfather has not fully recovered his strength yet; and it would not begood for him to be excited. You will be very glad to see him, and hewill be very glad to see you; that is quite enough; and it would be toomuch, if you were to shew him _how_ glad you are. "

Daisy said nothing, but she thought within herself she could not dothat!

"Can you command yourself, Daisy?"

"I will try, Dr. Sandford. "

"You _must_ do it--for my sake, " added the doctor. 

"Dr. Sandford, " said Daisy, "was that what you meant?"

"When?"

"When you said, if I was a good child?"

"It must have been that I meant, I think. I could have said it in noother connection. "

"The pony-chaise, ma'am, for Miss Randolph--" said a servant at thedoor. 

"The chaise may go away again, Daisy, I suppose, " said Mrs. Sandford. "You will not want it. "

"Yes, she will, " said the doctor, --"to drive to Melbourne. Go, Daisy, since you are ready; I will follow you. That little waddling fellow canbe overtaken without any great difficulty. "

"Do you want me to drive slowly, sir?"

"Not at all, " said the doctor; "only drive well, for I shall come andsee. "

If ever a little pride in her driving accomplishments had lodged inDaisy's mind, she certainly did not feel it that afternoon. She drovewithout knowing very well how she drove; she did not think of Dr. Sandford's criticism, or admiration; what she thought of, was the milesof the road to Melbourne. 

They were not very many, and unconsciously the eager spirit in Daisy'sfingers made itself known to Loupe's understanding, through the mediumof the reins. He travelled better than usual, so that they were not morethan half way from Melbourne when the doctor's gig overtook them. Andthen Loupe went better yet. 

"Remember, Daisy, and keep quiet--" said the doctor as he took her outof the chaise. Daisy trembled, but she followed him steadily through thehall and up the stairs and into her father's room. Then she went beforehim, yet even then she went with a moderated step, and stood by herfather's couch at last silent and breathless. Breathless with the veryeffort she made to keep silent and quiet. With excitement too; for Mr. Randolph was looking feeble and pale, more than Daisy had ever seen him, and it frightened her. He was not in bed but on a sofa and as Daisy cameto his side he put out his arm and drew his little daughter close tohim. Without a word at first and Daisy stooped her lips to his, and thenstood hiding her face on his shoulder; perfectly quiet, thoughtrembling with contained emotion, and not daring to say anything lestshe should say too much. 

"Daisy, " said her father, --"Daisy, --do you know I have been ill?"

There was a little, little tone of surprise or disappointment in thevoice. Daisy felt it, knew it, but what could she do? She was afraid tospeak to say anything. She turned her face a little to Dr. Sandford; hesaw an agony struggling in the eye that appealed to him. This was notwhat he wanted. 

"She knows it almost too well, " he said, coming to the rescue; "I havebeen her gaoler all these days; a severe one. "

"Are you glad to see me, Daisy?" said Mr. Randolph. 

Daisy half raised herself, half glanced at his face, and turning fromhim threw herself upon Dr. Sandford's arm with a cry and gave way to adeep passion of weeping. Deep and still; her sobs could not but beheard, but they were kept under as much as the heaving of that littlebreast could bear. Mr. Randolph's pale face flashed; and the doctor sawthat his precautions had been too good. 

"Why Daisy!" he said lightly, "is this your self-command?"

"Let me have her--" said Mr. Randolph. "Self-command is a good thing, doctor; but people may have too much of it. "

And getting hold of Daisy's hand, which the doctor brought within hisreach, he again drew the sobbing child to his breast and folded herclose in both his arms. The sobs were very soon hushed; but during allthe rest of the doctor's visit and through all the conversation thattook place, Daisy and her father never changed their position. Theconversation indeed was not much, being confined to a few quietquestions and answers and remarks; and then Dr. Sandford took hisdeparture, leaving Daisy very unconscious of his movements. He onlywaved his hand to Mr. Randolph, with a smile at Daisy who did not seehim. 

"Daisy--my darling--" said Mr. Randolph, when he was gone. 

"Papa!--" came in a whisper. 

"What is the matter?"

Daisy lifted her face from its resting place and kissed, with kissesthat were like velvet, first one side of her father's mouth and then theother. 

"Papa--Dr. Sandford told me I must keep quiet. "

"Well, you shall, " said Mr. Randolph. "That is right enough. You shallkeep quiet, and I will go to sleep. "

So he did. But he did not loose his hold of Daisy; and she lay, still ashappiness could make her, with her head upon his breast. She knew, shewas conscious, that he must be very feeble yet, to go to sleep in thatway; but she was with him again, and in his arms, and her heart was sofull of joy that it could do nothing but overflow in silentthanksgivings and prayers. Daisy would not have stirred till he did, nomatter how long it might have been; but there came an interruption. Adoor opened, and Mrs. Randolph appeared on the threshold, and so soon asshe saw Daisy beckoned her to come to another room. Mr. Randolph's armshad relaxed their hold somewhat, and Daisy obeyed the signal and lefthim. 

Her mother wanted then to know all the story of her days at Mrs. Sandford's; and Daisy had a good deal to tell. That is, Mrs. Randolph'squestionings made it so. Daisy herself would not have had it a longstory. Then, she must see June, and Joanna; and then came dinner. It wasnot till the afternoon was well passed that the call came for her to goto her father again. Daisy had watched and waited for it; her mother hadforbidden her to go in without it. At last she was sent for, and Daisysprang away. 

Mrs. Randolph was there. 

"No noise!--remember, " she said, lifting her finger as Daisy came in. Daisy came near slowly. Her father held out his hand to her, and foldedher in his arms again. 

"You are such a noisy child!" he said, --"your mother does wisely to warnyou. "

"She is an excitable child, "--said Mrs. Randolph;--"and I think you wantwarning too. "

"We will keep each other quiet, " said Mr. Randolph. 

The lady looked on, with what seemed a doubtful eye. Nobody watched it. Her husband's eyes were often closed; Daisy's little head lay on hisbreast, quiet enough, unless when she moved it to give soft noiselesskisses to her father's cheek. They remained so a good while, with scarceany word spoken; and Mrs. Randolph was busy at her tetting. The lightfaded; the evening drew on. 

"It is time for Daisy's tea. " It was the first thing that broke a longsilence. 

"She and I will have it together, " said Mr. Randolph. 

"Will that be best for you, Mr. Randolph?"

"I hope so. "

"I doubt it. "

"Most things in this world are doubtful, " said Mr. Randolph; "but wewill try. "

"Will you choose to have tea now, then?"

"Now?--no. "

"This is Daisy's time. "

"Very well. She must wait for my time. "

Not a word did Daisy say; only little alternate throbs of joy and fear, as her father or her mother spoke, passed through her heart. Mrs. Randolph gave it up; and there was another hour of quiet, very sweet toDaisy. Then lights were brought, and again Mrs. Randolph proposed, tohave the tea served; but again Mr. Randolph negatived her proposal; andthings remained as they were. At last Mrs. Randolph was summoned topreside at the tea-table down stairs; for even now there were one or twoguests at Melbourne. Then there was a stir in the room up stairs. Thetray came with Mr. Randolph's supper; and Daisy had the delight ofsharing it and of being his attendant in chief. He let her do what shewould; and without being unquiet, Daisy and her father enjoyedthemselves over that entertainment. 

"Now I think I could bear a little reading, " said Mr. Randolph, as helaid his head back on his couch. 

"What, papa?" said Daisy, a sudden hope starting into some dark cornerof her heart, almost without her knowing it. 

"What?--what you please. "

"Shall I read what, I like, papa?"

"Yes. If I do not like it, I will tell you. "

Daisy ran away and flew through the rooms to her own, and there hastilysought her Bible. She could not wait to get another; she took her ownand ran back softly with it. Her father's languid eye watched the littlewhite figure coming towards him, book in hand; the gentle eager step, the slight flush on the cheek; till she took her seat beside him. 

"What have you got there, Daisy?" he asked. 

"Papa--my Bible. "

"Well--what are you going to read?"

"I don't know, papa--" said Daisy doubtfully. What would come next?

"Do you remember your picture, the 'Game of Life'?"

"Yes, papa. "

"Do you remember your talk about good and evil spirits?"

"Yes, sir. "

"Find me the grounds of your philosophy. "

Daisy thought what that might mean, and guessed at it. She turned to thetwenty-fifth chapter of Matthew, a favourite chapter, and read theparable of the sheep and the goats. The servant had withdrawn; Daisyand her father were alone. There was a moment's pause when she had done. 

"Is that all?" said Mr. Randolph. 

"That is all of _this_, papa. "

"There is nothing there about the rejoicings of the good spirits, "--saidMr. Randolph. 

Daisy's fingers trembled, she hardly knew why, as she turned over theleaves to find the place. Her father watched her. 

"Are you sure it is there, Daisy?"

"O yes, papa--it is in the story of the man with a hundred sheep--I willfind it directly. "

So she did, and read the parable in the fifteenth chapter of Luke. Herfather listened with shut eyes, while the child's voice gave the wordsin a sort of sweet clear gravity. 

"'Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receivethsinners, and eateth with them. And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one ofthem, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go afterthat which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, helayeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, hecalleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoicewith me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, thatlikewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, morethan over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Eitherwhat woman, having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth notlight a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she findit? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and herneighbours together, saying, Rejoice with, me; for I have found thepiece which I had lost. Likewise I say unto you, there is joy in thepresence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. '"

There Daisy stopped, and there was silence. Presently her father openedhis eyes. He saw that hers were full, but they were not looking at herbook, neither at him; they were gazing away at the light, with anintent, very serious expression. 

"Daisy!--" said her father. 

She came back instantly to a sweet happy look at him. 

"What were you studying?"

"Papa!--I was thinking--"

"What were you thinking?"

"I was thinking, papa, " said Daisy unwillingly, --"how strange it is thatanybody should try to _hide himself from God_. "

She started a little and rose up, for her mother stood on the other sideof the light now. Mrs. Randolph's voice was a note belonging to anotherchord. 

"Daisy, it is your bedtime. "

"Yes, mamma. "

Mr. Randolph made no attempt to hinder his wife's arrangements thistime. Daisy exchanged a very tender good-night with him and then wentaway. But she went away very happy. She thought she saw good dayscoming. 

There were good days that followed that one, for a while. Daisy'sreadings and sweet companionship with her father were constant, and grewsweeter as he grew stronger. But the strengthening process was notrapid. About a fortnight had passed, when Mrs. Sandford one day madeenquiry about it of her brother-in-law. 

"Slow work--" said the doctor. 

"He will get over it, won't he?"

"I hope he will. "

"But cannot anything be done for him, Grant?"

"He is going to do the best thing. He is going to Europe. "

"To Europe!--This winter?"

"Now, in a few weeks, or less. "

"It will be good for your pet Daisy. "

"Doubtfully--" said the doctor with a very complicated expression offace; but he was taking off his boot at the moment, and maybe itpinched him. "She will not go. "

"Not go! Daisy! Does not her mother go?"

"Yes. "

"And not Daisy? Why not Daisy?"

"She gives so much trouble--" said the doctor. 

"Trouble!--I thought her parents were so fond of her. "

"Mr. Randolph is unequal to any agitation; and Mrs. Randolph regulateseverything. "

"But wouldn't it be good for Daisy?"

"I think so. "

"Poor child! What will they do with her?"

"Send her to a Southern plantation, under care of a governess, as Iunderstand. "

"It will half kill Daisy, " said Mrs. Sandford. 

"It takes a great deal to kill people, " said the doctor. 

"I do not know how to believe you, " said the lady. "Is it all fixed andsettled. Grant?"

"They leave Melbourne next week. "

THE END.