"I am sorry I must lose so much of your good opinion as to
confess myself a Yankee," said the doctor, steadily.
"Are you going to give your sanction to Daisy's plunging
herself into study, and books, and all that sort of thing, Dr.
Sandford?"
"Not beyond _my_ depth to reach her."
"I do not think it is good for her. She is very fond of it,
and she does a great deal too much of it when she begins; and
she wants strengthening first, in my opinion. You have said
enough now to make her crazy after the history of the whole
world."
"Mrs. Randolph, I must remind you that though you can hinder
a tree from growing, in a particular place, you cannot a
fungus; if the conditions be favourable."
"What do you mean?"
"I think this may be a good alternative."
The lady looked a little hard at the doctor. "There is one
book I wish you could hinder her from reading," she said,
lowering her tone.
"What is that, madam?"
"She is just the child not to bear it; and she is injured by
poring over the Bible."
"Put the Bibles out of her way," suggested the doctor.
"I have, as much as I can; but it is not possible to do it
perfectly."
"Then I counsel you to allow her the use of this medicine,"
said Dr.
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