Mr.
Randolph was behind her. She came to Daisy's side, and the
mother and child looked at each other; Daisy with the tender,
wistful eyes of last night, Mrs. Randolph with a vexed air of
dissatisfaction. Yet, after looking at her a moment, she
stooped down and kissed Daisy. The child's eye went to her
father then. Mrs. Randolph stood in his way; he came round to
the head of the couch, behind Daisy, and bent over her.
"Papa, I can't see you there."
"You can feel, Daisy —" said Mr. Randolph, putting his lips to
her face. "How do you do?"
"This is a most maladroit arrangement of Captain Drummond's!"
said the lady. "What can we do to rectify it? A most stupid
place for the child to be."
"She will have to bear the stupidity — and we too. Daisy, what
would you like to have to help it along."
"Papa, I am not stupid."
"You will be, my little daughter, I am afraid, before the
weeks are over. Will you have June come to be with you?"
"Papa," said Daisy, slowly, — "I think it would not be
considerate."
"Are you comfortable?" said Mr. Randolph, smiling, though his
looks expressed much concern.
"No, papa."
"What is the matter?"
"It is hot, papa; and my leg aches; not so much as it did last
night sometimes; but it aches.
Pages:
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306