Melbourne House, Volume 1

e her. Not till Loupe in his best style had trotted up the road and stopped, and she had risen to throw down her reins. T

t, Miss Randolph. Is that the coac

th the other gentlem

dies at the North were very independent in their habits; bu

y, "take the bas

s?-or butter?-or vegetables?

rk, sir,"

ning? Then that is certainly also the pony that was

Daisy, "I don't

or remarking, that yo

idn't mean t

he future experience of life, if you are i

oung man, with a grave face and manner through all his absurd speeches; dressed rather picturesquely; and

, Gary-Daisy, run and

tted to eat her breakfast in peace. Daisy felt wonderfully happy. Such a pleasant breakfast, for the talk among the elders went on

Daisy?" suddenly asked the gentle

baskets," said

did you get

go to ma

d"-said Mr. Gary lo

else, Daisy?" said h

me, I thought, where we went to market, and I tol

but baskets?" said Mr.

for my birthday, don't you think it would be considerate in Mr. McFarlan

d her father. "Do you think it wo

think i

ly, and don't be ridic

coloured, and the te

e it is put so," sai

ht a ha

t overcome. She would certainly have made her escape, only she knew such a t

o doubt," said Capt. Drum

gs is good for the Yankees. It would be the best plan to make a fire out of doors and let e

t his arm round her and kissed her; "did you have mon

a," said Dai

yesterday afternoon, as

d Ransom's

this morning than it would have been

want done now? Is

-Mr. Stilton is g

cFarlane. "Do you intend to receive any

a different class had

lph. "Do you not intend to shew yoursel

nce you choose to indulge Daisy in he

eing "stuck up?" Daisy looked grave, and her fathe

d the housekeeper's room; and there the full beauty of the occa

d be with her all day, and arrived just in time. With aprons and baskets full, the two children sought a hidden spot on the ba

'll try one; that will be best; and then we can see. I want them to look very pretty, you know; and they are to be filled with

work; and Nora declared after half an hour she believed the baskets would look best plain, just as they were. But Daisy would not give up. She grew very warm indeed with the excitement of her efforts, but she worked on. By and by she succeeded in dressing a

ustr

ength, dropping her work into her lap. "Isn

d Nora, wo

nd every one of them is trembling a little; not one of them is still, Nora. How beautif

a; "I'd rather

be pleasant up in those branches-only the birds don't know any

nny. What makes you

isy slowly, "I expect to

k abou

o there till you

o do with my thinking about

be so queer. You are

ink of heaven. Jesus is there. Isn't it pleasant, Nora,

he wished you would inv

grievous; to wish so much for her friend and to have him join in the wish, and all

. Dinwiddie say that poor p

n't dislike

inwiddie

e he is,"

," said Daisy; "but then he never seemed lik

. "He has got as much mo

parable of the serva

es

e of the go

easily. Daisy's face w

fid

e like yourself, as you us

re you

ppose I am! I c

y to you what he said to the servant wh

it," said Nora, a little loftily. "I have got Marm

hink of it!-so glad, Nora. He is my king, and I belong to him; and I love to give him all I've

of the baskets, and Daisy presently followed her

in. "He made everything, and he made you; and he i

kets and greens on the ground, and set off from the spot with an air that said she did not mean to retur

ter Nora to get an understanding. The baskets must be finished. Luckily there did not much remain to be done, for Daisy was tired. As soon as her work was out of her hand, she went to see about the success of her table. It was done; a nice long, neat table of boards, on trestles; and it was fixed under a beautiful g

decided finally on the simpler manner; and Logan dressed some splendid bouquets for the centre of the table instead. Daisy saw that the maids were bringing from the house pretty china dishes and cups; and then she ran away to get dressed herself. Just as this was almost done she saw her mother driving off from the house with several gentlemen in her party. It suddenly stru

em, for not knowing. Everything I have, Mr. Dinwiddie said,-so Nora said,-is a talent of some sort or other. How strange Nora was to-day! But I suppose she will come and tell me what was the matter. Now about the talents-I wish papa would come

there herself, ordering and directing; and china and glass, and flowers, and silver,

our out the coffee and

oing to dress and co

the best plan will be to have you do it yoursel

I don't k

turn the faucet, you know; and Sam will wait upon you, and if you want tea poured o

think so

bout it," said Joanna; "

I can't reac

at fixed for you. I

me great fruit cakes and pound cakes, superbly frosted and dressed with strawberries and rosebuds; Joanna had spared no pains. Great store of sliced bread and butter too, and plates of ham and cold beef, and forms of jelly. And when the dressed baskets of strawber

had rushed in like a little summer wind

for, m

all like it; they

enjoy themselves

ure they woul

isy. I do not think they will want anything but

here to speak to t

ches, Daisy," said Mr. Randolph, stretching himself at ease in a chaise l

nearer to the poor? Daisy had an instinctive, delicate sense of the want, which she set herself to do the best her little self could to supply. "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you"-that sweet and most perfect rule of high

nna was there, putting some last touches. Suddenly a ne

omebody else to wait. S

d Hiram. Sam's all that can be sp

e, Joanna. Can't som

ey wouldn't,

a. You must make them,

I'll tell them what I w

you tell them, ple

dent, some day," said Joanna, walking off

ought to be, and she was delighted a few minutes after to see that their eyes were kindling with gratification. Logan looked at the table as if he had some right to take an interest in it; the hay-makers were open-mouthed; the women in a flutter of ribands and propriety; and the

e for you to fill all them cups-sha'n't I come there,

Daisy's labours were not ended. She saw one of the Irish labourers sitting with his eyes straight before him an

e?" said a soft little voice

s, I wouldn't

ill you have some t

ut the one time, plase yer ladyship. It's too good f

d with which this information was communicated,

have?-some ham? or

hip; don't trouble yerself. The angels wouldn't want

ed a cup of coffee down the table to a meek-looking old woman who likewise seemed to be in a state of bewilderment. It was th

The saints above bless the hand and the fut that wasn't above doing that same!

ivan," said Daisy. "

se in the worruld, when it wouldn't be a sup o'

p of

s good for me. May you niver know the want of it, nor of anyth

saw too that the honour of being served off silver and china was duly felt. If her father had but come out to say a kind word! but he did not come. His little substitute did all a substitute could do; and at last when everybody seemed in full tide of merry-making, she stole away that they might have no constraint upon it. Before she had got far, she was startled by a noise behind her, and looking round saw that all the tableful had risen to their feet. The next instant there was a great shout. Daisy could not imagine what they were doing, but she saw

nobody there; and sat down to breathe and re

isy!-is no

N

seen your

gs?-what

se you haven't or you'd know. Never mind, you'

ha

this morning why you didn't

es

n't you

tting a pencil vigorously, but

ll him? did you te

no, R

t's what I want to know.

f cour

dn't yo

said Daisy

nk you're tu

whether you'd

e! I couldn't understand you! I s

tell you,"

st

w who the Lord J

but I have

Rans

ead, and don

he has bid me do to other people what

you! What

I mean. It is

in the

ther people what I would l

ell? Well you're out, for I don't care a shot about it-t

som! yo

do I

said little Dais

he way with girls;-they don't know how to speak English. You may

as silent; and in a mood less pleasant than her own apparently, Ransom took himself out of her pre