You can do that glorious, because you have always a
pair of pale cheeks on hand."
"I?" — said Daisy, again. "Do you want me to be two things?"
"A dozen things, perhaps. You must be Queen Esther at any
rate. Nobody but you."
"And who will be Ahasuerus?"
"I don't know. Hamilton Rush, I reckon; he's a nice fellow."
"Oh, Preston, why don't you be Ahasuerus?"
"I am manager, you know, Daisy; it won't do for the manager to
take the best pieces for himself. Ahasuerus is one of the
best. See how handsome the dress is — and the attitude, and
everything."
"I don't see where you will find the dresses," said Daisy.
"All those are robes of silk and velvet and fur; and then the
jewels, Preston!"
"Nonsense, Daisy. Aunt Felicia will let us take all her stores
of satins and velvets and feathers, and jewellery too. It
won't hurt them to be looked at."
"I think," said Daisy, slowly, — "I think I will not be Queen
Esther."
"Why not? don't you like her looks?"
"Oh, yes. _That's_ no matter; but I would rather somebody else
would be it."
"Why, little Daisy? You are the one; nobody can be Esther but
you."
"I think I will not," said Daisy, thoughtfully.
"What's the matter, Daisy? You _must_.
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