He sat down and let the moonlight show Daisy his face.
"Daisy," he said, "your father was stunned by his blow, and
needs to be kept in perfect quiet for a time, until he is
quite over it. People after such a fall often do; but I do not
know that any other consequences whatever will follow."
"He was stunned —" repeated Daisy.
"Yes."
The child did not say any more, yet her eyes of searching
eagerness plainly asked for fuller information. They were not
content nor at rest.
"Can't you have patience, and hope for other tidings
tomorrow?"
"May I? —" said Daisy.
"May you? Certainly. It was your mother's wish to send you
here — not mine. It was not needful; though if you could be
content, I think it would be well."
She looked a little relieved; very little.
"Now what are you doing? Am I to have two patients on my hand
in your family?"
"No, sir."
"What are you doing then, up so late? Watching the stars?"
"No, sir."
"I am your physician — you know you must tell me everything,
What were you about, Daisy?"
"Dr. Sandford," said Daisy, in difficulty how to speak, — "I
was seeking comfort."
And with the word, somehow, Daisy's self-restraint failed; her
head went down on the doctor's shoulder; and when she lifted
it up there were two or three tears that needed to be brushed
away.
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