am?"
Mr. Randolph laughed. "Why Daisy, unless you are a finished economist,
that might be. Do you mean that I am not to know the particular use made
of this ham?"
"Papa, I wish you would not desire to know!"
But Daisy's face was too much in earnest. "I think I cannot grant that
request," said her father. "You must tell me."
Daisy looked distressed. But she dared not evade the order, though she
feared very much what might come of it.
"I didn't buy the ham for the party, papa."
"Then for what?"
"I bought it, papa, for a little girl who was going without her
breakfast. She came to Mr. Lamb's to buy ham, and she had no money, and
he wouldn't let her have any."
"And what became of your baskets?"
"O I got them, papa; I got cheaper ones; and Nora and I dressed them
with greens. I had money enough."
Mr. Randolph took his little daughter on his knee and softly put down
his lips to kiss her.
"But Daisy, after all, why did you not go to Crum Elbow yesterday
afternoon, as you meant to do?"
"Papa, this morning did better, for it was pleasanter."
"Do you call that an answer?" said Mr. Randolph, who was still softly
kissing her.
"Papa, if you would be so _very_ good as not to ask me that?"
"I am not good at all, Daisy. I ask,--and I mean to know."
Daisy was in trouble. No entreaty was worth a straw after that. She was
puzzled how to answer.
"Papa," she ventured, "I don't like to tell you, because Ransom would
not like I should."
"Ransom's pleasure must give way to mine, Daisy."
"He wanted the pony-chaise," said Daisy, looking very downcast.
"And you gave it him?"
"No, sir."
"What then? Daisy," said Mr. Randolph bringing her head round to face
him, "tell me what I want to know without any more questions."
"He took the chaise, papa,--that was all,--so I went this morning."
"Ransom knew you wanted it?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then Daisy, tell me further, why you did not give me this information
when I asked about your drive this morning at breakfast?"
"Papa, I thought Ransom would not like to have it told."
"Were you afraid he would revenge himself in any way if you did?"
"O no, papa! not at all."
"Then what moved you to silence?"
"Why papa, I did not want to trouble Ransom. I was afraid you would be
displeased with him perhaps, if I told."
"Were you not displeased when he took the chaise?"
"Yes, papa," said Daisy softly.
"And had your displeasure all gone off by this m
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