“No sir,—­I didn’t mean that I went.”

“How are gentlemen to understand you, in the future experience of life, if you are in the habit of saying what you do not mean?”

“I am not in the habit of it,” said Daisy, half laughing, for she knew her questioner.  He was a handsome young man, with a grave face and manner through all his absurd speeches; dressed rather picturesquely; and altogether a striking person in Daisy’s eyes.  To her relief, as they reached the hall her mother appeared.

“Come in to breakfast, Gary—­Daisy, run and get yourself ready.”

And Daisy went, in great glee on various accounts.  When she came down, everybody was at table; and for a little while she was permitted to eat her breakfast in peace.  Daisy felt wonderfully happy.  Such a pleasant breakfast, for the talk among the elders went on very briskly; such pleasant work done already, such pleasant work to do all through the day; nothing but joy seemed to be in the air.

“And what did you get at market, Daisy?” suddenly asked the gentleman whom her mother called “Gary.”

“I went to buy baskets,” said Daisy concisely.

“What else did you get at market?”

“I didn’t go to market, sir.”

“She told me she did”—­said Mr. Gary looking at her father.

“Did you buy anything else, Daisy?” said her father carelessly.

“Papa,” said Daisy colouring, “Mr. McFarlane asked me, I thought, where we went to market, and I told him New York.  I did not mean that I went myself.”

“Didn’t you get anything but baskets?” said Mr. McFarlane mischievously.

“Papa,” said Daisy making a brave push, “if I only spend what you give me for my birthday, don’t you think it would be considerate in Mr. McFarlane not to ask me any more?” But this speech set the gentlemen to laughing.

“Daisy, you make me curious,” said her father.  “Do you think it would be inconsiderate in me to ask?”

“Papa, I think it would.”

“Answer, Daisy, directly, and don’t be ridiculous,” said her mother.

Daisy’s face clouded, coloured, and the tears came into her eyes.

“Answer, Daisy, since it is put so,” said her father gravely.

“I bought a ham, papa.”

But the shout that was raised at this was so uproarious that Daisy was almost overcome.  She would certainly have made her escape, only she knew such a thing would not be permitted.  She sat still, and bore it as well as she could.

“The baskets held eggs, no doubt,” said Capt.  Drummond, the other gentleman.

“Roast potatoes would be better for your Irish friends, Daisy,” said McFarlane.  “Ham and eggs is good for the Yankees.  It would be the best plan to make a fire out of doors and let each one cook for himself, according to his country.  How do you expect to please everybody?”

“Come here, Daisy,” said her father kindly, and he put his arm round her and kissed her; “did you have money enough for your ham and your other purchases too?”