Nora went on very assiduously with the covering of the baskets, and Daisy presently followed her example.  But the talk was checked for a little.

“Nora, Jesus is your king, though,” said Daisy again.  “He made everything, and he made you; and he is your king.  I wish you would be his servant too.”

Daisy was greatly astonished at the effect of this speech; for Nora without speaking arose, left her baskets and greens on the ground, and set off from the spot with an air that said she did not mean to return to it.  Daisy was too bewildered to speak, and only looked after her till she was too far to be recalled.

What was the matter?  Greatly puzzled and dismayed, she tried to find a possible answer to this question.  Left alone on her birthday in the midst of her business, by her best friend,—­what could have brought about so untoward a combination of circumstances?  Daisy could not understand it; and there was no time to go after Nora to get an understanding.  The baskets must be finished.  Luckily there did not much remain to be done, for Daisy was tired.  As soon as her work was out of her hand, she went to see about the success of her table.  It was done; a nice long, neat table of boards, on trestles; and it was fixed under a beautiful grove of trees, on the edge of a bank from which the view over the grounds was charming.  Mr. Stilton was just gathering up his tools to go away, and looked himself so smiling and bright that Daisy concluded there was reason to hope her party was going to be all right; so with fresh spirit she went in to her own dinner.

After that it was busy times.  The long table was to be spread with a table-cloth, and then the cups and plates in proper number and position, leaving the places for the baskets of strawberries.  It was a grave question whether they should be arranged in a pyramid, with roses filling the spaces, or be distributed all round the table.  Daisy and Joanna debated the matter, and decided finally on the simpler manner; and Logan dressed some splendid bouquets for the centre of the table instead.  Daisy saw that the maids were bringing from the house pretty china dishes and cups; and then she ran away to get dressed herself.  Just as this was almost done she saw her mother driving off from the house with several gentlemen in her party.  It suddenly struck Daisy, who was to do the honours of the strawberry feast?  She ran down stairs to find her father; she could not find him, he was out; so Daisy went to see that the setting the table was going on all right, and then came and planted herself in the library, to wait for Mr. Randolph’s coming in.  And while she waited eagerly, she began to think about its being her birthday.