all this put the subject of watching her out of Mr. Randolph’s head; he certainly did not see the minute, a few minutes later, when Daisy’s hand stole to her brow and her eyes were for a short space hidden and her hand moveless.  Mrs. Randolph saw it, and saw that he did not.  Daisy had forgotten that anybody could see her.  The thanksgiving of her heart had more burden to-day than the ordinary gifts of the morning which she was wont to remember.  Her father was not angry with her!  It took a load off Daisy’s heart; and she looked so happy all breakfast time that Mr. Randolph was very much inclined to slight his wife’s fears.

Juanita’s constant habit of thankfulness and of expressing her thankfulness, during the weeks Daisy had spent with her had gone down into the child’s heart.  With every meal, though taken by herself all alone, Daisy had seen the old woman acknowledging gratefully from whose hand she got it.  And with other things beside meals; and it had seemed sweet and pleasant to Daisy to do so.  At home, when she was suddenly transferred to her father’s stately board, where every beauty and luxury were gathered together and an array of friends to help each other enjoy it; and no one remembered, no one acknowledged that any gratitude was due to the hand that had supplied the board and given the friends, Daisy’s heart was pained by a great sense of want.  Not thank God for all these things? give no acknowledgement of praise to him?  She could not bear to have it so.  She thought nobody would notice her, or know what she was doing if they did notice her; and she used to put her hand over her brow and comfort her own heart with giving the thanks she wanted to express.  She soon forgot to be afraid anybody would notice her.  But Mrs. Randolph marked it all, and now never missed the minute when Daisy’s face was shielded.

CHAPTER IV.

The thing on hand now was the expedition to Silver Lake.  Daisy’s foot and ankle were getting sufficient strength to bear all the work that need be asked of them; and it was best to go while the hot weather still lingered.  It was early in September, and the day was fixed.  Quite a party was going.  There were no visitors at Melbourne House now except Mrs. Gary and her children; but that brought the home party up to seven.  Dr. Sandford was going, of course.  Then some other neighbours.  Mrs. Stanfield had promised to go, with her little daughter Ella and her older daughter Theresa.  Mrs. Fish was coming from another quarter of the country, with her children, Alexander and Frederica.  Mr. Fish and Mr. Stanfield were to go too; and Mr. and Mrs. Sandford, the doctor’s brother and sister-in-law.  However, though this was to be such a strong muster, Daisy thought of only two or three of the number that concerned her personally.  Preston and Ransom, of course; Alexander Fish; though the two latter she thought of as likely to make disturbance more than