What a shadow came over Daisy’s sunshine.

“Papa not well!  What is the matter?”

“He does not feel quite like himself, and I wish him left in perfect repose.”

“What is the matter with him, Dr. Sandford?”

Daisy’s words were quiet, but the doctor saw the gathering woe on her cheek; the roused suspicion.  This would not do to go on.

“He has had a little accident, Daisy; nothing that you need distress yourself about; but I wish him to be quite quiet for a little.”

Daisy said nothing now, but the speech of her silent face was so eloquent that the doctor found it expedient to go on.

“He was riding this morning; his horse took him under the low bough of a tree, and his head got a severe blow.  That is all the matter.”

“Was papa thrown?” said Daisy under her breath.

“I believe he was.  Any horseman might be unseated by such a thing.”

Daisy again was mute, and again the doctor found himself obliged to answer the agony of her eyes.

“I do not think he is in much, if any, pain, Daisy; but I want him to be still for a while.  I think that is good for him; and it would not be good that you should disturb him.  Your mother is there, and that is enough.”

Daisy stood quite still for a few minutes.  Then making an effort to withdraw herself from the doctor’s arm she said,

“I will not go into the room—­I will not make any noise.”

“Stop!  Daisy, you must not go up stairs.  Not this morning.”

She stood still again, grew white and trembled.

“As soon as I think it will do him good to see you, I will let you into his room.  Now, shall we send June up for anything you want?”

“I think, Dr. Sandford,” said Daisy struggling for steadiness, “I will not go away from home.”

Her words were inexpressibly tender and sorrowful.  The doctor was unrelenting.

“Your mother desired it.”

“Did mamma——?”

“Yes; she wished me to carry you home with me.  Come, Daisy!  It is hard, but it is less hard after all than it would be for you to wander about here; and much better.”

Daisy in her extremity sunk her head on the doctor’s shoulder, and so remained, motionless, for more minutes than he had to spare.  Yet he was still too, and waited.  Then he spoke to her again.

“I will go,” said Daisy.

“You wanted something first?”

“I did not want anything but to change my gloves.  It is no matter.”

Very glad to have gained his point, the doctor went off with his charge; drove her very fast to his own home, and there left her in Mrs. Sandford’s care; while he drove off furiously again to see another patient before he returned to Melbourne.