— Both at a
distance! How is Gary McFarlane?"
"Papa, I think he has good nature; but I think he is rather
frivolous."
Mr. Randolph looked soberly at the little face before him, and
went away, thinking his own thoughts. But he had the cruelty
to repeat to Dr. Sandford so much of this conversation as
concerned that gentleman; in doing so he unwittingly laid the
foundation of more attention to Daisy on the doctor's part,
than he probably would ever otherwise have given her. To say
truth — the idea propounded by Daisy was so very novel to the
doctor that it both amused and piqued him.
Mr. Randolph had hardly gone out, when Hephzibah came in. And
then followed a lesson the like of which Daisy had not given
yet. Hephzibah's attention was on everything but the business
in hand. Also, she had a little less awe of Daisy lying on
Mrs. Benoit's couch in a loose gown, than when she met her in
the Belvedere at Melbourne, dressed in an elegant cambric
frock, with a resplendent sash.
"C, a, spells ca, Hephzibah. Now what is that?"
"Over your finger?"
"Yes."
"That's — C."
"C, a. And what does it spell?"
"Did the stone fall right onto your foot?"
"Yes — partly on.
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