Some of the gentlemen showed calm fortitude under
their trials; but the poor ladies' chagrined faces said that
days of pleasure were misnamed. Alexander Fish had gone to
sleep; Ransom looked cross; Preston as usual gentlemanly,
though bored. From one to another Daisy's eye roved. Nora and
Ella were sitting on the table; in full confab. Other people
were sitting there too; the table was full.
"The storm is slackening —" Mr. Randolph remarked to the
doctor.
"It will be over in a little while more."
"What do you think of it, Daisy?" said her father, noticing
her look.
"Of what, papa?"
"Parties of pleasure in general."
"Papa, — I have had a very nice time."
"You have had a nice sleep," said her father, laughing; "and
that colours your views of things. The rest of us have not had
that advantage."
"Daisy, I am surprised to hear you say what you do," the
doctor remarked as Mr. Randolph turned away. He spoke softly.
"Why, sir?"
"I thought your day had not been _altogether_ agreeable?"
"Do you think anything is apt to be altogether agreeable, Dr.
Sandford?" Daisy said, with a demure waiving of the subject
which was worthy of much older years. The quaintness of this
remark was infinite.
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