"We are studying English history, aunt Gary."
"_History_, my dear? And what is all this muss, and these red
and black spots? does your mamma allow this in the library?"
"Just the place to study history, I am sure, mamma," said
Preston; "and you cannot have less muss than this where people
are fighting. But I really don't know what you mean, ma'am;
there cannot be a cleaner map, except for the blood shed on
it."
"Blood?" said Mrs. Gary. "My dear" — as Preston burst into
another laugh — "you must not let him tease you."
Daisy's look was so very unruffled and gentle that perhaps it
put Mrs. Gary in mind of another subject.
"Did you know, Daisy, that I had robbed you of your old-
fashioned spoon?"
"I found it was not among my things," said Daisy.
"My dear, your mother thought you would not value it; and it
was very desirable to my collection. I took it with her
consent."
"I am willing you should have it, aunt Gary."
"Were you very angry, my dear, when you found where it had
gone?"
"I am not angry now, aunt Gary."
Certainly Daisy was not; yet something in the child's look or
manner made the lady willing to drop the subject. Its very
calm gentleness did not testify to anything like unconcern
about the matter; and if there had been concern, Mrs.
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