“Did you go to see your old woman yesterday?” Mr. Randolph said.

“Yes, papa.”

“Did you enjoy your visit?”

“Very much, papa.”

Mrs. Randolph’s head made a motion of impatience, which however those two did not see.

“How was that, Daisy?  I do not comprehend in this instance the sources of pleasure.”

“Papa”—­said Daisy hesitating—­“I think I gave pleasure.”

She could not explain to him much more, but Mr. Randolph at least understood that.  He gave Daisy another kiss, which was not disapproving, the child felt.  So her breakfast was extremely happy.

She had a new plan in her head now about Molly.  She wanted to get established on the footing of a friend in that poor little house; and she thought she had better perhaps not confine her line of advance to the garden.  After breakfast she sought the housekeeper’s room, and let Joanna know that she was in want of a nice little cake of some sort to carry to a poor creature who could make nor buy none.  Daisy was a great favourite with Miss Underwood, especially ever since the night when she had been summoned in her night dress to tell the child about the words of the minister that day.  Joanna never said “no” to Daisy if it was possible to say “yes;” nor considered anything a trouble that Daisy required.  On this occasion, she promised that exactly what Daisy wanted should be in readiness by the afternoon; and having thus secured her arrangements Daisy went with a perfectly light heart to see what the morning was to bring forth.

“Daisy!” shouted Preston as she was going down the piazza steps,—­“Daisy! where are you bound?”

“Out—­” said Daisy, who was vaguely seeking the September sunshine.

“Well, ‘out’ is as good as anywhere.  Wait till I get my hat.  Come, Daisy!—­we have business on hand.”

“What business?” said Daisy, as she was led along through the trees.

“Great business,” said Preston,—­“only I shall want help, Daisy—­I want a great deal of help.  I cannot manage it alone.  Wait till we get to a real good place for a talk.—­Here, this will do.  Now sit down.”

“How pretty it is to-day!” said Daisy.

For indeed the river opposite them looked a bright sheet of glass; and the hills were blue in the morning light, and the sunshine everywhere was delightsome.  The beautiful trees of Melbourne waved overhead; American elms hung their branches towards the ground; lindens stood in masses of luxuriance; oaks and chestnuts spotted the rolling ground with their round heads; and English elms stood up great towers of green.  The September sun on all this and on the well kept greensward; no wonder Daisy said it was pretty.  But Preston was too full of his business.

“Now, Daisy, we have got a great deal to do!”

“Have we?” said Daisy.

“It is this.  Aunt Felicia has determined that she will give a party in two or three weeks.”