“That child is in a way to get ruined!” said Mrs. Randolph energetically.

“But Daisy, our work people are not lame or blind—­how will they do?” said her father.

“They are poor, papa.  I would like to have the others too, but we can’t have everybody.”

Mr. Randolph kissed the little mouth that was lifted so near his own, and went on.

“Do you think then it is wrong to have our friends and neighbours?  Shall we write to your aunt and cousins, and Gary McFarlane and Capt.  Drummond, to stay away?”

“No, papa,” said Daisy smiling, and her smile was very sweet,—­“you know I don’t mean that.  I would like to have them all; but I would like the feast made for the other people.”

“You will let the rest of us have some strawberries?”

“If there are enough, papa.  For that day, I would like the other people to have them.”

Mr. Randolph seemed to find something as sweet as strawberries in Daisy’s lips.

“It is the very most absurd plan I ever heard of!” repeated her mother.

“I am not sure that it is not a very good thing,” remarked Mr. Randolph.

“Is it expected that on that day we are to do without servants in the house, and wait upon ourselves? or are we expected to wait upon the party!”

“O mamma,” said Daisy, “it isn’t the servants—­it’s only the out-of-door people.”

“How many will there be, Daisy?” said her father; “have you numbered them up?”

“Not yet, papa.  There is Logan, and Michael, and Mr. Stilton, and the two under-gardeners——­”

“And four hay-makers.”

“Hay-makers, papa?”

“Yes—­there will be four of them in the fields next week.  And there is the herdsman and boy.”

“And there is old Patrick at the gate.  That is all, papa.”

“And are the ladies of all these families to be invited?”

“Papa!  What do you think?”

“I have no doubt there will be strawberries enough.”

“But I am afraid there would be too many children.  Logan has six, and Michael has four, and I believe the herdsman has some; and there are four at the Lodge.  And Mr. Stilton has two.”

“What shall we do with them, Daisy?”

“Papa, we can’t have them.  I should like to have the men and their wives come, I think, and send some strawberries home to the children.  Wouldn’t that do best?”

“Admirably.  And you can drive over to Crum Elbow and purchase some suitable baskets.  Take the chaise and Sam.  I expect you to arrange everything.  If you want help, come and consult me.”

“If mamma will tell Joanna—?” said Daisy looking somewhat doubtfully towards the other end of the table.

“I have nothing to do with it,” said Mrs. Randolph.  “I have no knowledge how to order such parties.  You and Joanna may do what you please.”

Daisy’s eye went to her father.

“That will do, Daisy,” said he.  “You and Joanna can manage it.  You may have carte-blanche.”