" — A speech
which Daisy pondered and pondered and could make nothing of.
They walked on, Mr. Randolph making observations and giving
orders now and then to workmen. Here a man was mowing under
the shrubbery; there the gardener was setting out pots of
greenhouse flowers; in another place there were holes digging
for trees to be planted. Daisy went musing on while her father
gave his orders, and when they were again safe out of hearing
she spoke. "Papa, do you suppose Michael and Andrew and John,
and all your own people, feel so about you?"
"I think it is likely, Daisy. I can't hope to escape better
than my neighbours."
"But, papa, they don't look so, nor act so?"
"Not before me. They do not wish to lose their places."
"Papa, — couldn't something be done to make them feel better."
"Why, Daisy," said her father laughing, "are you going to turn
reformer!"
"I don't know what that is, papa."
"A thankless office, my dear. If you could make all the world
wise, it would do, but fools are always angry with you for
trying it."
The conversation ended, and left Daisy greatly mystified. Her
father's people not liking him? — the poor having ill-will
against the rich, and a grudge against their pleasant things —
it was very melancholy! Daisy thought about it a great deal
that day; and had a very great talk on the subject with Nora,
who without a quarter of the interest had much more knowledge
about it than Daisy.
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