Melbourne House, Volume 2

he drive was unmarked by a single thing; except that just as the

Skelton-is she very

poor. I do not suppose the

to everybody,

, Daisy. I really do not remember

you kn

know eve

heat; though Daisy thought the drawing room was exceeding pleasant, the air came in at the long windows with such gentle freshness

oolness, after

she had no recollection of any such thing all day. How delicious it ha

th you, Daisy?" sai

aunt

th such a dulcet tone of a smooth and clear spirit. It was a s

here, Daisy-I have got something for you. You know I robbed you a little while ago, and promised to tr

sat gracefully on her head, and her robes were a miniature imitation of royalty, but very exquisitely fashioned. Everybody exclaimed at the perfection of the beautiful toy, except Daisy herself, who stood quite still and quiet looking at it. Mrs. Gary had not done yet. The empress had a wardrobe; and such v

ay to express your ple

dolph's

ou, aunt Gary." But it was so very sober and

ress any pleasure, Dai

rds her mother with a doub

said Mrs.

t, m

to shew your sense of

her sister. "I am sorry if I have faile

leave the room"-

to a corner, "I would speak, b

she has given you a g

utely at her mother,

Mrs. Randolph repeated

-" the child ans

unt that her exquisite pres

tell her so," Daisy a

orms seemed to get up ve

t consequence, as far as I am concerned. Preston, remove this box. If Dais

got up and

Daisy," said his wife. "If she cannot behav

he other little hand came for a moment across her brows and re

r; and he lifted Daisy on his knee kindly

ery sorry-" s

u expla

n civil if I could; but

rs shews himself different from a person who has no

there was no

gave you n

," said D

ughtfulness and kindness of your aunt i

itated an

r," said her

Daisy said l

y n

iculty and hesitation-"that is all passed-I

ut w

hink mamma would like t

aisy.-Abo

trouble we

grateful for your aunt's kindness just now,

-"it was not kindness-it was

For

yptian spo

and what you are

hat he should not as well as her knowledge that he d

o understand

poon, papa; the doll was

. Randolph's mind the facts Daisy referred to, the spoon i

r Egyptian spoon

might have

illi

pa-will

nge for t

ange for anything. I di

y desired to have that spoon the very day it was given to

pa-so I

changed a

d," said Daisy slowly-"but I w

this case, why was it not kind in your aunt to bestow

ou do not u

ell me all that you have not told me. You need

olph wrapped his arms round her and stooped his head to hear the story which Daisy was obliged to give. She gave it full

in your refusal of than

too sweet and artless utte

our mother's displeasure. Good breeding requires

know how to be po

you were very much

was no

liged t

, s

n which it is usual to avail oneself of upon su

ot have thought I meant

t is the polite a

n that I did not mean it; and

or you to discuss to-night-it is time for yo

ly gentle and tender with her, and went off t

rder?" asked his wife, who had been en

ht confusion into min

s the m

ehend some of the fine distinctions we are accustomed to draw. White and black are very w

e for what your eyes se

lph made

obstinate and unmanageable. Perfectly self-important too-she thinks th

much honour," s

r you share wit

shared anything wi

tical notions; and you persisted in keeping her under t

noit is a good nurse for the body and you will bear me witness it was fo

atic

disease to take deep

t in Daisy; whatever she

a little while longer," said the doctor,

tor took hi

, Felicia," Mr. Randolph said.

ather. But very happily, as it seemed to her, before dinner there was an arrival of some expected visitors, coming to stay for a time in the house. They had been desired as well as expected; there was

ff they went, the wheels of the little chaise rolling smoothly over the gravel, Loupe in a gentle waddling trot, and Daisy in a contented state of mind. It was very pleasant! Clear sunny air, yet not too hot, and the afternoon shadows beginning to make all things look lovely. Daisy took the way to the church, passed out upon the high road, and turned the pony's head in the direction which she had taken with Dr. Sandford the day before. She did not go quit

er confusedly, and the path between had no care but was only worn by the feet of travellers and the hands and knees of the poor inhabitant of the place. Yet some sort of care was bestowed on the flowers themselves, for no weeds had been suffered to choke them; and even the encroaching grass had been removed from trespassing too nearly on their little occupation of ground. The flowers themselves shot up and

round before she knew it, and there they stood still; Daisy was a good deal at a loss how to speak. She was not immediately perceived; the head of the cripple had a three-cornered handkerchief thrown over it to defend it from the sun and she was earnestly grubbing at the roots of her balsam; the earth-stained fingers and the old brow

ed little shoes planted there almost within reach of her hand. She drew herself back from the balsam and looked sideways up, to see what

The gentle little child voice seemed to astonish the w

busines

her, "if you had something to help you get the weeds

the cripple sullenly. "

ething to help you w

ort of fork,

vered with the dirt in which she had been digging. "I've got forks enou

and tight around her ankle, and the earth thrown upon them fell off easily again; except only that it lodged in the eyelet holes of the boot lacing and sifted through a little there, and some had gone as high as the top of the boot and fell in. Quite enough to make Daisy uncomfortable