Randolph closed the book
and laid it on the table, and drew his little daughter again
within his arms.
"That child is in a way to get ruined!" said Mrs. Randolph,
energetically.
"But Daisy, our work people are not lame or blind — how will
they do?" said her father.
"They are poor, papa. I would like to have the others too, but
we can't have everybody."
Mr. Randolph kissed the little mouth that was lifted so near
his own, and went on.
"Do you think then it is wrong to have our friends and
neighbours? Shall we write to your aunt and cousins, and Gary
McFarlane and Captain Drummond, to stay away?"
"No, papa," said Daisy, smiling, — and her smile was very
sweet, — "you know I don't mean that. I would like to have
them all; but I would like the feast made for the other
people."
"You will let the rest of us have some strawberries?"
"If there are enough, papa. For that day, I would like the
other people to have them."
Mr. Randolph seemed to find something as sweet as strawberries
in Daisy's lips.
"It is the very most absurd plan I ever heard of!" repeated
her mother.
"I am not sure that it is not a very good thing," remarked Mr.
Randolph.
"Is it expected that on that day we are to do without servants
in the house, and wait upon ourselves? or are we expected to
wait upon the party!"
"Oh, mamma," said Daisy, "it isn't the servants — it's only
the out-of-door people.
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