“Quite fair, Daisy,” said the doctor surveying her gravely.  “I know, by the power of a science called mathematics, which enables one to do all sorts of impossible things.  But you must take that on my word; I cannot explain so that you would understand it.”

“Thank you, sir,” said Daisy.

She wanted further to ask what sort of a science mathematics might be; but Dr. Sandford had answered a good many questions, and the sun was down, down, behind the trees on the other side of the road.  Daisy said no more.  The doctor seeing her silent, smiled, and prepared himself to go.

“Shall we finish the sun to-morrow, Daisy?”

“O, if you please.”

“Very well.  Good bye.”

The doctor went, leaving Daisy in a very refreshed state; with plenty to think of.  Daisy was quite waked out of her weariness and disappointment, and could do well enough without books for one day longer.  She took her own raspberries now with great spirit.

“I have found two more wonderful things to talk to Dr. Sandford about, Juanita; that is three to-day.”

“Does Miss Daisy think the doctor can tell her all?”

“I don’t know.  He knows a great deal, Juanita.”

“’Seems he knows more than Job did,” said Mrs. Benoit, who had her private misgivings about the authenticity of all Dr. Sandford’s statements.  Daisy thought a little.

“Juanita, Job lived a great while ago.”

“Yes, Miss Daisy.”

“How much did he know about the sun? does the Bible tell?”

“It tells a little what he didn’t know, Miss Daisy.”

“O, Juanita, after I get through my tea and when you have had yours, won’t you read me in the Bible all about Job and the sun?”

Mrs. Benoit liked nothing better; and whatever other amusements failed, or whatever other parties anywhere in the land found their employments unsatisfactory, there was one house where intent interest and unflagging pleasure went through the whole evening; it was where Daisy and Mrs. Benoit read “about Job and the sun.”  Truth to tell, as that portion of Scripture is but small, they extended their reading somewhat.

Daisy’s first visiter the next day was her father.  He came with fresh flowers and fresh fruit, and with “Sandford and Merton” too, in which he read to her; so the morning went well.

“Papa,” said Daisy when he was about leaving her, “do you not think Dr. Sandford is a very interesting man?”

“It is the general opinion of ladies, I believe, Daisy; but I advise you not to lose your heart to him.  I am afraid he is not to be depended on.”

“O papa,” said Daisy, a little shocked, “I do not mean that he is a man one would get fond of.”

“Pray who do you think is, Daisy?” said Mr. Randolph, maintaining his gravity admirably.

“Papa, don’t you think Capt.  Drummond is—­and—­”

“And who, Daisy?”