“’Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.  And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.  And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?  And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.  I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.  Either what woman, having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?  And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with, me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.  Likewise I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.’”

There Daisy stopped, and there was silence.  Presently her father opened his eyes.  He saw that hers were full, but they were not looking at her book, neither at him; they were gazing away at the light, with an intent, very serious expression.

“Daisy!—­” said her father.

She came back instantly to a sweet happy look at him.

“What were you studying?”

“Papa!—­I was thinking—­”

“What were you thinking?”

“I was thinking, papa,” said Daisy unwillingly,—­“how strange it is that anybody should try to hide himself from God.”

She started a little and rose up, for her mother stood on the other side of the light now.  Mrs. Randolph’s voice was a note belonging to another chord.

“Daisy, it is your bedtime.”

“Yes, mamma.”

Mr. Randolph made no attempt to hinder his wife’s arrangements this time.  Daisy exchanged a very tender good-night with him and then went away.  But she went away very happy.  She thought she saw good days coming.

There were good days that followed that one, for a while.  Daisy’s readings and sweet companionship with her father were constant, and grew sweeter as he grew stronger.  But the strengthening process was not rapid.  About a fortnight had passed, when Mrs. Sandford one day made enquiry about it of her brother-in-law.

“Slow work—­” said the doctor.

“He will get over it, won’t he?”

“I hope he will.”

“But cannot anything be done for him, Grant?”

“He is going to do the best thing.  He is going to Europe.”

“To Europe!—­This winter?”

“Now, in a few weeks, or less.”

“It will be good for your pet Daisy.”

“Doubtfully—­” said the doctor with a very complicated expression of face; but he was taking off his boot at the moment, and maybe it pinched him.  “She will not go.”