"Do you know, Mrs. Randolph, how she can sing?"
"No, — how? She has a child's voice."
"But not a child's taste or ear," said Gary. "I heard her the
other day warbling the gypsy song in 'The Camp in Silesia,'
and she did it to captivation. Do, Mrs. Randolph, ask her to
sing it. I was astonished."
"Do!" said Captain Drummond; and the request spread and became
general.
"Daisy —" said Mrs. Randolph. Daisy did not hear; but the call
being repeated, she came from her window, and after speaking
to the strangers, whom she knew, she turned to her mother. The
room was all light and bright and full of gay talkers.
"Daisy," said her mother, "I want you to sing that gypsy song
from the 'Camp in Silesia.' Gary says you know it — so he is
responsible. Can you sing it?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Then sing it. Never mind whether you succeed or not; that is
of no consequence."
"Mamma," began Daisy.
"Well, what?"
Daisy was in great confusion. What to say to her mother she
did not know.
"No matter how you get along with it," repeated Mrs. Randolph.
"That is nothing."
"It isn't that, mamma, — but —"
"Then sing. No more words, Daisy; sing."
"Mamma, please don't ask me!"
"I _have_ asked you.
Pages:
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180