“Are you ready, Mr. Randolph?”

“Cannot say that I am,” said the gentleman, stooping to kiss Daisy’s forehead,—­“but I will go with you.  One thing I should like understood.  For reasons which are sufficient with me, Daisy is to consider herself prohibited from making any music on Sundays henceforward, except she chooses to do it in church.  I mention it, lest you should ask her to do what I have forbidden, and so make confusion.”

Mrs. Randolph gave no sort of answer to this speech, and walked off to the door.  Daisy, whose eyes had brightened with joy, clasped her arms around her father’s neck when he stooped again and whispered with an energetic pressure,

“Thank you, papa!”

Mr. Randolph only kissed her, and went off after his wife.  The drive home was remarkably silent.

CHAPTER XVIII.

It happened that day that Juanita had business on hand which kept her a good deal of the morning in the out-shed which formed part of her premises.  She came in every now and then to see how Daisy was doing; yet the morning was on the whole spent by Daisy alone; and when Juanita at last came in to stay, she fancied the child was looking pale and worn more than usual.

“My love do not feel well?”

“Yes I do, Juanita—­I am only tired.  Have you done washing?”

“It is all done.  I am ready for whatever my love pleases.”

“Isn’t washing very disagreeable work, Juanita?”

“I do not think what it be, while it is mine,” the woman said contentedly.  “All is good work that I can do for the Lord.”

“But that work, Juanita?  How can you do that work so?”

“When the Lord gives work, he give it to be done for him.  Bless the Lord!”

“I do not understand, though, Juanita.  Please tell me.  How can you?”

“Miss Daisy, I don’t know.  I can do it with pleasure, because it is my Lord’s command.  I can do it with thanksgiving, because he has given me the strength and the power.  And I can do it the best I can, so as nobody shall find fault in his servant.  And then, Miss Daisy, I can do it to get money to send his blessed word to them that sit in darkness—­where I come from.  And I can do it with prayer, asking my Lord to make my heart clean for his glory; like as I make soiled things white again.  And I do it with joy, because I know the Lord hear my prayer.”

“I think you are very happy, Juanita,” said Daisy.

“When the Lord leads to living fountains of waters, then no more thirsting,”—­said the black woman expressively.

“Then, Juanita, I suppose—­if I get tired lying here,—­I can do patience work?”

“Jesus will have his people do a great deal of that work,” said Mrs. Benoit tenderly.  “And it is work that pleases him, Miss Daisy.  My love is very weary?”

“I suppose, Juanita, if I was really patient, I shouldn’t be.  Should I?  I think I am impatient.”