Melbourne House, Volume 2

hreatening; still no rain unless a few ominous drops. At last voices and fluttering muslins came down the road; the flutter came near, and in poured a stream of

up closer her dirty baby with the del

his to be had?" said Mrs. Fish.

remain here, doctor?" s

until the rain ha

be out in it," whispere

o other shelter on t

nding room for us all

a

a minute more, people looked at each other across a throng of heads. They

rs in here," said Ransom in an energetic whi

and stood, though feeling very tired; while her chair

" said her father bending d

apa," said D

drew near. The thunder notified with every burst the fact that it was coming speedily; the lightning became vivid and constant. A premonitory sweep of the wind-and the clouds gave out their treasures of rain and hail with tremendous fury. The lightning was terrible now, and the darkness of the intervals between so great that the company could scarcely see each other's faces. This was more than some of the party had bargained f

hispered h

, pa

you a

a-not fo

ok up her

ace; it was wist

ed about the sto

pa; not

hen, D

pa, I wish they wo

uble you?" said Mr

tning glittered outside the windows, and the burst of the thunderbolt sounded

said Mr. Randolph soothingly, feel

"they do not love Jesus!"-And her head went

d then her other arm came round his neck and nestling there closely she was after that as still as a mouse. The storm lasted a long time. The lightning and thunder at last removed their violence 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 party of pleasure sat or stood

ndolph," said Dr. Sandford. "Let

let you

. She waked up however, with a feeling of some change and a doubt upon her mind as to what custody she was in; but she was not sure, till the woman of

"I shall tire you. Please put m

the doctor decidedly.

down and go to

kiss her, maybe he would not care for the trouble of holding her for a while. At any rate Daisy submitted peaceably to the necessity; put her arm over the doctor's shoulder to support herself and laid her head down; though not to sleep. She watched everything that was going on now. What a roomful of weary and impatient people they were! packed like cattle in a pen, for closeness; and how the rain poured and beat outside the house! The shelter was somethi

ing-" Mr. Randolph re

ver in a litt

it, Daisy?" said her f

hat,

pleasure i

e had a very

aughing; "and that colours your views of thing

what you do," the doctor remarked as Mr

y,

y had not been alt

ord?" Daisy said, with a demure waiving of the subject which was wo

agreeableness to-

nice! and all our walk, and what you were telli

aid Mrs. Gary, who had overheard a few words,-"while other little gi

to justify her view of things; for what had in truth been altoget

ew moments,-"I am rested-I can stand no

tle head went down again obediently on his shoulder, he gave again

the journey must be made to the boats, and the poor ladies were even glad to set out to undertake it. But it would not be an easy journey either, on the whole. Some time before this the doctor had despatched

party who 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, which having been pushed out of doors, had got wet; she was placed in it then, and the folds of the cloak brought well round and over her, so that nothing could be more secure than she was from the wet with which every leaf and bough was dripping overhead, and every foot of soil loaded underneath. Dr. Sandford took one end of the pol

oon was coming up somewhere, too. The smell of the trees and other green things was exceedingly sweet after the rain; and the delicious soft air was very delicious after the sultry 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 with all her might. It was so wild and strange as well as sweet. Rocks and tree trunks, and the turnings of the road had all such a mysterious new look, different from what daylight shewed them; it was an endless pleasure. Till

lph said. "There is plenty of room. Your boat is too sma

ugh?" exclai

as roughened the water considerably, and it has not had time to get qu

arge sail-boat, which held them all well enough; the ch

been in their places some minutes, and conversation was

am

re's

shelter. James and Michael have gon

and no hurt. Have we got to wait till the men go th

quieter, Mrs. Gary," said

on't mean to say

iet a while ago

a misnamed thing, it is a party of pl

t when they are over,

dol

whispered, "ar

N

er says it

o manage the bo

believe," said Ella Stanf

at the other s

ght is! Look-all over the river there is a broad strip. I hope w

at?" sa

ss up in the sky to catch the sunlight and reflect

ooking-

the sunlight just so, as

ow, Daisy? I t

told. It does not shine, any

told

ord," Dais

don't we have the

agine that it is a looking-glass, does no

a looking-glass," said Nora. "I would a

" said Daisy. "Y

if it should be rough in

" said Ella

not be very rou

And where the moon don

y very low, "don'

y and the moonlight, began to talk to Ella Stanfield on the

nt and fresh; the light which streamed down from the moon was sparkling on all the surface of the water, and laid a broad band of illumination like a causeway across the river. In one or two places the light shewed the sails of a sloop or schooner on her way up or do

took it, her head began to make good speed across the causeway of moonlight. But then the ladies began to scream; for in mid-channel the wind was fresh and the waters had not quite forgotten yet the tumult of the late storm, which had tossed them well. The sail-boat danced bravely, up and down, going across

, "I wish you wo

am af

cry out so," sighed Daisy. "Papa says

m afraid!" r

y; spirits revived; and soon the passage was brought to an end and the sail-boat laid alongside the little jetty, on which the party, men, women and children, st

ispersed to various dressing rooms to prepare for it. Soonest

hungry!"

said Ella

supper presentl

fraid in the boat, when

" said Daisy, "if other peopl

ould help being disturb

didn't sail st

not do any ha

ra. "I think it does harm;

t, and thought it was not safe-the wind blew so, you kn

ute after this speech, and then by some trai

ou got my Egyp

face which had been pale enough before, became of a delicat

t yet?" repeate

ra. I h

What have you

thi

ve me to give to you! You have not ke

othing w

ou bre

N

u give

," said poor Daisy; "but I co

given it to you, Daisy, if I had t

h-but I could not," said Dais

t you? did you give it away,

e wanted it very much, and I was obliged

or it," said Nora in an offended tone. "I wish

ed very mu

ot it?" No

as got it," said Daisy

ot keep it, because it was taken away from her without any leave asked. I mean she shall have it back, to

impression, as well as hi

hat, Nora?" th

awe of him. She did

on I gave Daisy, t

I tell you!"

aid the doct

d spoon, with a duck's bill, that came out of an ol

rother give

isy, and she gave i

. I loved it very much. I would not have le

t, Daisy?" ask

a little, finally said with demure gentleness

her they were now invited. So it happened that her seat at the table was again

; and everybody was in a peculiar state of gratified content and expectation. Daisy was no exception. She had let slip her momentary trouble about the Egyptian spoon; and in her quiet corner, quite unnoticed as she thought, looked at the bright scene and enjoyed it. She liked being under the doctor's care too, and his care of her was very thoughtful and kind. He did not forget the little quiet mouse at his elbow; but after he had properly attended to the other people whose claims came first, he served her n

ken her fork in her fingers when sh

er mother quiet

t and went round t

stairs," said

mma

in till I se

ttle head to brush them away, but they came again. Daisy was faint and tired; she wanted her supper very much; and she had enjoyed the supper-table very much; it was a great mortification to exchange it for the gloom and silence of her moonlit room. She had not a bit of strength to keep her spirits up. Daisy felt weak. And what was the matter? Only-that she had, against her mother's pleasure, repeated her

om window, and alone, there was no bar to thanksgivings; and Daisy had them in her heart, as well as prayers for the people who had them not. She was too tired to pray at

ered voice of June behind he

ubtful and startled.

ought you was in

une-I'

o to bed, M

et me something to eat, fi

et your suppe

anything since the dinner at the la

s some trouble on foot. She went off to get supper, and as she went along the passages the m

rly everything there had been on the supper-table. She set down her tray, prepared a table for Dais

t. I'll get you some ice cream when you're ready to eat it-Hiram's got i

aste. She looked at the

ace-"I am very much obliged to you-but I don't think mamma means me to eat these things

oysters is good f

nd milk to-night-if you

you,

hen maybe tak

ing but bread and mi

illingly carried her supper-tray down stairs again. Goi

g from, June?" he as

Daisy's r

n taking sup

Daisy wouldn't

r. Randolph asked

ph marched at once to the room in question

you doin

h a start; and then quietl

at the table

, pa

ot to have your

come awa

said Mr. Randolph tenderly,

apa-qui

did you

ill in her fingers a

a sen

Mr. Randolph saw, he must forbear his questi

e Daisy finished her bread and milk She was too much in want of it not to do that. When it was done she got out of her chair and

the matte

ed with me." The ch

t ab

rds and perhaps also for self-command-"

ha

id what she did n

r? what w

es now to her father's

now?-I was only p

rew Daisy up to him, placed her on hi

e no supper

, s

and milk better t

, p

supper things, and she said you w

ht mamma did not mean me to

not for

, p

her, bringing her up close to his breast, and putting down his lips

had a plea

hings," said Daisy eagerly. Her voice had

took proper

ry good!" said

hink he thi

nice,

tty well. But now, Daisy, what do you

, pa

t into any difficulty, you may

ood night kiss, and afterwards had no difficulty in do