The doctor’s horse was before the door, and Daisy was on the piazza.  The doctor came out, ready for his day’s work.

“Do you want me to do anything for you at Melbourne, Daisy?”

“Cannot I go home to-day, Dr. Sandford?”

“I do not know.  Supposing that you be still kept in banishment—­what then?”

Daisy struggled with herself—­succeeded, and spoke calmly.

“I should like to have Loupe sent, Dr. Sandford, if you please.”

“Loupe? what is that?  What is Loupe, Daisy?”

“My pony, sir.  My pony chaise.”

“Oh!—­Not to drive to Melbourne?”

Daisy met the doctor’s blue eye full, and answered with guileless submission.  “No, sir.”

“I will send Loupe.  By the way—­Daisy, have you business on hand?”

“Yes, sir.”

“So much that you can do none for me?”

“O no, sir.  I have not a great deal of business.  What may I do, Dr. Sandford?”

“Can you go to Crum Elbow?”

“Yes, sir.  I have got to go there.”

“All right, then.  Daisy, there is a poor family down by the railway that were burnt out a night or two ago; they have lost everything.  The neighbours will have to supply them with a few things.  Will you go to the village and buy clothing for two little children, six and seven years old?  One is a girl, the other a boy.”

The doctor took out his pocket-book and began to look over bank bills.

“Dresses, do you mean, Dr. Sandford?—­and a boy’s dress?”

“I mean, everything they need to put on—­dresses and petticoats, and jacket and trowsers, and a shirt or two for the boy.  Here is money, Daisy; spend whatever you find needful.”

“But, Dr. Sandford—­”

“Well?”

“I don’t believe Mr. Lamb keeps those things ready made.”

“I am sure he does not.  Buy the stuff, Daisy—­all the stuff—­we will see about getting it made afterwards.  You can consult my sister, Mrs. Sandford, about quantities and all that; or I dare say the storekeeper can tell you.”

So away went the doctor.  Daisy felt in great need of consulting somebody; but Mrs. Sandford was busy, and so engaged that there was no chance for several hours.  Not indeed before the pony chaise came; and Daisy resolved then to wait no longer, but to do some other business first.

The news that she eagerly asked for from Melbourne was not much when she got it.  Sam knew little; he believed Mr. Randolph was better, he said; but his tone of voice was not very encouraging, and Daisy drove off to Juanita’s cottage.  There was one person, she knew, who could feel with her; and she went with a sort of eagerness up the grassy pathway from the road to the cottage door, to get that sympathy.

Juanita was within, busy at some ironing.  The work fell from her hands and the iron was set down with an expression of pleasure as she saw Daisy come in.  The next minute her tone changed and her look.