“No, sir,” said Daisy, smiling.

“Where then?”

“I suppose, in my room, sir—­up-stairs.”

“I must see you there before I go; and it is time now.  Shall I carry you up?”

“If you please, sir.”

“Pray do not, Dr. Sandford!” said Mrs. Randolph.  “Mr. Randolph will do it, or one of the servants.  There is no occasion for you to trouble yourself.”

“Thank you, ma’am, but I like to see after my patients myself.  Unless Daisy prefers other hands.”

Mrs. Randolph protested.  The doctor stood quiet and looked at Daisy, waiting for her to say what she would like.  Now Daisy knew, that of all hands which had touched her, the doctor’s and Juanita’s were far the best; and of those two, the doctor’s; perhaps because he was the strongest.  Her father was very kind and tender, but he did not understand the business.

“I should like Dr. Sandford to take me,” she said, when she found she must speak.

“Then I will trouble you, Mrs. Randolph, for somebody to shew me the way.”  And the doctor stooped and put his strong arms under Daisy, and lifted her up.

“Quite a conquest, I declare, you have made, Dr. Sandford!” said Mrs. Randolph, laughing.  “Preston, shew the way, and I’ll send June.”

So the doctor marched off with Daisy, Preston going before to shew the way.  He carried her without the least jar or awkwardness, through the company, out into the hall, and up the stairs.  There June met him, and took Preston’s office from him.  Into Daisy’s own room at last they came, and Dr. Sandford laid his little charge at once on her bed.

“You must not try to move, Daisy, until I see you again.  Stay here till then.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good-night.”

“Good-night.  Thank you, sir, for bringing me up.”

Dr. Sandford smiled.  “Thank you,” said he, and with a wave of his hand, away he went.

“O June!” said Daisy, “how glad I am to see you.”

June had seen Daisy only once during her abode at Mrs. Benoit’s cottage; and now Daisy squeezed her hands and welcomed the sight of her with great affection; and June on her part, though not given to demonstrations, smiled till her wrinkles took all sorts of queer shapes, and even shewed her deep black eyes twinkling with something like moisture.  They certainly were; and putting the smiles and the tears together, Daisy felt sure that June was as glad to see her as she was to see June.  In truth, Daisy was a sort of household deity to June, and she welcomed her back accordingly, in her secret heart; but her words on that subject, as on all others, were few.  The business of undressing, however, went on with great tenderness.  When it was finished, Daisy missed Juanita.  For then Juanita had been accustomed to bring her Bible, and read and pray; and that had been a time Daisy always enjoyed wonderfully.  Now, in bed, at night, she could not see to read for herself.  She dismissed June, and was left alone in her old room, with, as she justly thought, a great deal to pray for.  And praying, little Daisy went to sleep.