Sandford. We are not to
have grown folks at all. It is a pity Ransom is not here. We
shall have to get Alexander Fish — or Hamilton! Hamilton will
do. He's a good-looking fellow."
"You would do a great deal better," said Daisy. "And Alexander
would not do at all. He has not a bit the look of a king about
him."
"I must be that old man with the bundle of sticks on his
head," said Preston, who was, however, immensely flattered.
"But his beard?" said Daisy.
"Oh, I'll put that on. A false beard is easy. You won't know
me, Daisy. That will be an excellent picture. See that girl
blowing the burnt cakes and making her face into a full moon!"
"Will you have her in the picture?"
"Certainly! Most assuredly."
"But, who will you get to do that, Preston?"
"Nora Dinwiddie, I reckon."
"Will _she_ come?"
"We shall want all we can get. All Mrs. Stanfield's young
ones, and Mrs. Fish's and Linwood's and everybody. Now, Daisy,
here you are! This is the very thing."
"For what?" said Daisy.
"Don't you see? For you. This is Queen Esther before Ahasuerus
— you know the story?"
"Oh, yes! — when he stretched out the golden sceptre to her.
She is fainting, isn't she?"
"Exactly.
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