Melbourne House, Volume 2

t weather still lingered. It was early in September, and the day was fixed. Quite a party was going. There were no visitors at Melbourne House now except Mrs. Gary and her children; but that broug

oncerned her personally. Preston and Ransom, of course; Alexander Fish; though the two latter she thought of as likely to make disturbance more than anything else; and Daisy liked a most lady-like quietness and propriety in everything in which she was engaged. But besides these there was only Ella Stanfield whose

er or not it had been seen and read by him. No sign or token told her; there was none; and Daisy could only conclude that he must have seen it, because h

act it was so quietly done that often the moment escaped him; and at other times, Daisy's manner so asked for a shield rather than a trumpet, and the little face that looked up from

was to be. Wednesday evening Dr. Sandford was at Melbourne. Daisy wa

have a good time to-mo

led as sh

quiet. I shall not let yo

," said Daisy; with so absolutely con

, my friend, it generally happens that p

" said Daisy, looking very fea

d friend, Nora Dinwid

ra coming?" ex

whether one more would be too many? Her little relation, Daisy's

e to shew her joy. She did not say another word about Nora. The hour of meeting was determined, and the doctor withdrew. Daisy looked

oo oppressive. They had scarcely risen from the table when the Sandford party drove up to the door. These were 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 join the rest at the spot appointed on the opposite shore. The Stanfields were

d to be here!"-and a small host of small questions and answers

s they stood on the steps, while the c

"Why aunt Frances says

Preston, and Dr. Sandford and other people, I suppose; and some of

o you mean?

here are ever so many baskets to go, you know; and the me

you?" said Dr. Sandford

said

es

anybody to carry

shall want two men to do

a mountain chair

air to be sure; a common, light, cane-bottomed arm-chair; with poles sticking out before

use in the mountains of Switzerl

y me?" s

Now see whom you

coachman, were to go to carry baskets and help manage the boat; James being something of a sailor. Now Logan and Sam were

at is to carry all the

d everybody, I guess; and it goes with a sail, Nora

maduke in a sail-boat once-he knows how to manage a sail-boat too;-and I am sure it w

I suppose," said Daisy. "Don't

"I thought it was going to turn over once or twice,

papa," said Daisy. "I

t," said Nora; "and he said I

after basket from the hands of Logan and the coachman and stowed them away in what seemed to be a place of ample accommodations. Daisy and Nora, hand in hand, stood on the shore l

y baskets be wante

know there will be a great many p

o people eat dinner whe

at do you th

it was just

ustr

boat was cast loose from the shore and her sail trimmed to catch the soft northerly air that came blowing down the river. Slowly the sail caught the breeze-would it be strong enough to take her? the children thought-slowly, very slowly, the boat edged 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 sensible motion out towards the river channel. Steady and sweet the motion was,

be intense," sai

!"-said

ble face and black whiskers; but he was a gentleman, and Daisy approved of him. He was very unlike his brother. His wife was a very plain perso

xpect the day will end

of her husba

ent tokens-not till the sun get

ton aside. "We'll have

y late crossing the river,

ma

moon," said

exclaimed the other lady. "It is only ten o'clock now-not that. We

hing, aunt Felici

know how the ladies can get along without some spo

h returned. "I have not be

. Sandford went on. "I shall persuade you to put yourself under my guid

e me out of the shade-if once I

ansom, "pickerel fi

lasped in Nora's, her little face was a pattern of perfect content; nay, it was fu

Daisy, "isn

icely now,

't it pl

santer than in a little boat.

he water

een grass bett

o. I like it very much. Nora, w

nic?" s

t people did not eat dinn

hought the

ou mean by

that. You know w

er when we go on a p

t think it i

t is

are you going to rid

trong yet, you know. Wasn't it nice o

don't think he is

s sitting forward of the mast, somewhat hid from her by a piece of the sail; she scanned his countenance, with its calm nobleness of feature, and steadfast,

e; the other shore was an object in view for a good while before they reached it. Slowly and steadily the little skiff skimmed over; they got to the middle of the river; then the trees before them on the other side, with the cleared fields in one or two spots, began to shew in more distinct forms and colours

the water," said Mrs. Gary. "

we get in the woods,"

r pardon," Mr. R

orse, Mr. Randolp

oil a beefsteak here in another hour

do not know how we are going to walk, but I suppose we shall fi

rls, Frederica Fish and Theresa Stanfield and Elo?se Gary, congregated into a moving mass of muslins and parasols. While Daisy and Nora were joined by Ella Stanfield; and a great constraint fell upon all three. Ella was a comparative stranger; a nice looking child, thoughtful and old beyond her years. She looked like gravity; Nora liked gayety; while Daisy was most like the thing that bears her name. They stood like little pinks of propriety, without saying anything to eac

which their chosen path immediately entered. They vanished from the shore. Every one of them was presently out of sight. Mr. Randolph had seen that Dr. Sandford was putting Daisy into her travelling conveyance; and thinking no attention of his own could be needful he had gone on in advance of the party with Mrs. Stanfield. T

a and Ella?" Daisy

ed the doctor. "Except the boys. Now Dais

ed much and grieved not a little that her companions should h

hich way I was g

done as everybody else does-gone with the

s,

se, remember, you must

o with the chair

we?" sai

have your sis

going t

mistaken.

e of her. Girls always have to be take

try. Preston, I shall depend on you to

are you g

if I can get a s

r gave him. The doctor himself strode off with his gun, disappearing in the woods

nsom discontentedly. "There is no occasion tha

e her, putting more and more distance between them and the chair every minute. Perhaps they would entirely forget their little convoy and be out of sight in a trifle more time. And in all that big party of pleasure, everybody engaged with somebody else, she was left with no one to speak to her, and no company at all but that of Logan and Sam. Daisy two or three times put up her hand stealthily to her face to get rid of a tear that had found its way there. Daisy thought at first that she would not have done so to her friends as they had done to her; but then presently she reflected what reason she had to know better and to do better, that they had not; and instead of anything like resentment, a very gentle and tender feeling of pity and kindness arose in Daisy's mind toward them. Her hurt sense of unfriendliness quite soothed itself away; and now Daisy began to enjoy herself and the day and the party of pleasure. Her share of it, at least. Her chair was under shadow of the tall woods now. It is true, it was very hot there. No air seemed moving. The chair-bearers often raised an arm to their brows to wipe away the heated moisture that stood

ks and stones were in some places very thickly strewn over it. After some time of wandering over level ground, the path took a turn and began to get among the hills. It wound up and down and was bordered now by steep hillsides and sharp-rising rocks. It was all the wilder and prettier. The house Dr. Sandford spoke of had been passed; the turn had been taken; there was nothing to do now but fo

reat shout; and at the same instant dropped his end of

th an air of great disgust and a strong Scotch accent. Sam sto

What ails ye? Don't s

ew,

d myself!"

ye were walking along, couldn't ye g

bending down to it.

going over however now to bring his own wisdom to bear on Sam's causes of t

ent-" said Sa

ed if you see a sarpent. What hurt would the sight of the b

-" repeated Sam

e," said Daisy from her chair; where at

," replied Logan slo

feel, Sam?"

stir it, Miss Daisy-and

Daisy getting out of her chair and coming to

ed up from it to the little speaker whose words

f the road and wanting to be at the Lake-and how much farther it may be

decided; he could not bear it

. You had better go forward and see if you c

rong voice too presently in hallooing to them. Daisy was left with Sam. The thought crossed her mind that this was getting to be an odd party

m, not deeming it necessary on their part to go back to see what was the matter

t of the way," was the

s it?" sai

ings of a walk anyhow. Girls ar

to be done with

of himself," said

sir, on his own

n. I suppose we cannot leave h

Miss Da

o make firewood. Boys we ought to be there this minute-at the Lake. We shall be cheated out of all our fishin

nsom!" sa

ot far off, where he was roaming with his gun, he had perceived the group discerned that something was wrong, and come down with a quick step

muss!" sa

eft standing in the middle

rained his ankle," said P

ooking over his shoulder,--"I shall need your help." So unwillingly enough, the boys, fishing tackle and all, turned

back and convey him as far as the poor little house they had passed on the way. A good lift it was, for Sam was a well grown, stout fellow; but Logan was a long-limbed, s

isy, "how are you go

rest of the wa

h, of you will take the honour of being c

one," sai

ll be the othe

"I think girls ought to stay at home when there is

h," said the doctor; "in so fa

no longer carried smoothly. Preston, who was in advance, did his part perfectly well; but Ransom, behind her, let the chair go up and go down and sway about very unsteadily, besides that eve

said the doctor, stopping

out and walk,

at

like it

not ride

aisy. "It throws me

o when Logan and

it then," said D

ters are

duty, gave him a word of admonition or advice, so keen and contemptuous in its rebuke, though slight and dry, that even Ransom's thickness of apprehension felt it, and sheered off from meeting it. The last part of the

rees for a considerable space; and this was spotted and variegated now with the scattered members of the pleasure party. Blue and pink and white and green, the various light muslins contrasted with the grey or the white dresses of the gentlemen; while parasols were thrown about, and here and there a red shawl lay upon the ground, for somebody's reclining carpet. To add to all this, which made already a very pretty picture under the canopy of the great trees, a

ing up, and there was a

ul!" "How came you to b

de?" "O Daisy, what are

body else is going

y going to do

ield and your mother; only Mrs. Fish isn't going; but Mr. Sandford is. And Elo?se, your cousin, is going to see about having the dinner ready;

t v

lla Stanfield, "c

aisy; "I do not believe there wi

ed the doctor, who stood n

fish once-but it was o

d at the end

line was lying on the bank

hat wa

s. There was a little island in the lake, well wooded like its shores. It was proposed that the ladies' fishing party should row over to the island, and there, under another shady grove, carry on their designs against the pickerel. Daisy's wish was to go with that party in the boat and

me distance, talking; and Elo?se and Theresa, who were charged to superintend the laying of the cloth. Having nothing particular

s the best thing that day, Theresa Stanfield declared. But the first thing of all was to light a fire; for coffee must be boiled, and tea made. The fire was not a troublesome thing to have, for dead wood was in plenty for the gathering. James and Logan, who had come to the scene of action, soon had that going; and the

not make that tea

tn't

will be

have had the same

isy persisted gently. "It should not be made b

ed her cousin. "I do not know

s articles they took out, placed and replaced; for as new and unlooked-for additions were made to the stock of viands, the arrangement of those al

do with it al

cold chickens! and the ham! I am so thankful for that red lobster, to

ovy p

ngs! We want an army to eat them

Elo?se screamed, as a little spaniel was pe

him off. Just stay there and keep watch of him

piles of plates everywhere, and laying glasses all round the tablecloth-for they would not stand up-and putting wine in coolers, that is to say, in pails of ice water. Daisy felt alone again, left out of the play. She looked at Nora and Ella in the distance-that is, just far enough away to be out of her society, eagerly standing over the hampers; and for a moment felt not very well pleased, either with them or her cousin Elo?se. But then she remembered that she was

shadow on the ground beneath the trees. I am afraid nobody else found the air sweet, unless it were the doctor. He was hardy, and besides had a philosophical way of looking at things. Daisy watched for his coming, afraid that he might wander off beyond luncheon time; but

e are! now where's everybody

t some fish for the people to cook. That's fun. I tell

lobster salad, though. But I can't stand long without something. What's the use

ng eaten one, in three mouthfuls, he stretched out his hand and took another. Happily then some meringues attracted his attention; and he stood with a cream cake in one hand and a meringue in the other, taking them alternately or both

ere are no more but those, and you will have the

aid Ransom mockingly. "

!" Daisy said, as his hand was

hing just fit for a man's luncheon in a summer day-something nice and light and nourishing. He

nsom seized the pie from its place and proceeded to c

pleaded Daisy. "You ought to wait

d your own affairs, and let mine alone. You a

ff. So did Ransom now, but he carried his pie with him and called 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 lark pie in such circumstances;

effect had passed off long before Daisy's mind was quieted. For gentle as she was, Daisy was a little lady who had a very deep and particular sense of personal dignity; she

g she had no business with; how could she carry her Lord's message, or do anything to 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 thought perhaps that Daisy was proud; but you never can tell what is in a person's heart till it is tried; and then the kinds of pride are various. It does not follow because you have none of one sort that you have not plenty of another sort. However, finding this fire a