"I didn't buy the ham for the party, papa."
"Then for what?"
"I bought it, papa, for a little girl who was going without
her breakfast. She came to Mr. Lamb's to buy ham, and she had
no money, and he wouldn't let her have any."
"And what became of your baskets?"
"Oh, I got them, papa; I got cheaper ones; and Nora and I
dressed them with greens. I had money enough."
Mr. Randolph took his little daughter on his knee, and softly
put down his lips to kiss her.
"But Daisy, after all, why did you not go to Crum Elbow
yesterday afternoon, as you meant to do?"
"Papa, this morning did better, for it was pleasanter."
"Do you call that an answer?" said Mr. Randolph, who was still
softly kissing her.
"Papa, if you would be so _very_ good as not to ask me that?"
"I am not good at all, Daisy. I ask, — and I mean to know."
Daisy was in trouble. No entreaty was worth a straw after
that. She was puzzled how to answer.
"Papa," she ventured, "I don't like to tell you, because
Ransom would not like I should."
"Ransom's pleasure must give way to mine, Daisy."
"He wanted the pony-chaise," said Daisy, looking very
downcast.
"And you gave it him?"
"No, sir.
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