You are to have nothing to do
with any person, younger or older, without finding out what my
pleasure is about it. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, mamma."
"You are to give no more lessons to children who are not fit
companions for you. You are not to have anything to do with
this child in particular. Daisy, understand me — I forbid you
to speak to her again."
"Oh, mamma —"
"Not a word," said Mrs. Randolph.
"But, mamma, please! just this. May I not tell her once, that
I cannot teach her? She will think me so strange!"
Mrs. Randolph was silent.
"Might I not, just that once, mamma?"
"No."
"She will not know what to think of me," said Daisy; her lip
trembling, her eye reddening, and only able by the greatest
self-control to keep from bursting into tears.
"That is your punishment" — replied Mrs. Randolph, in a
satisfied, quiet sort of way.
Daisy felt crushed. She could hardly think.
"I am going to take you in hand, and bring you into order,"
said Mrs. Randolph, with a smile, bending over to kiss Daisy,
and looking at her lips and eyes in a way Daisy wished she
would not. The meek little face certainly promised small
difficulty in her way, and Mrs. Randolph kissed the trembling
mouth again.
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