servants. I want some
of the others to come--a good many--as many as can come."

"I wish your mother and father were here!" sighed my aunt.

"Do you think Mr. Edwards would make any objection?" I asked again,
presuming on the main question being carried. "Would he let them
come?"

"Let them come!" echoed my aunt. "Mr. Edwards would be well employed
to interfere with anything the family chose to do."

"But you know he does not let them meet together, the people, Aunt
Gary; not unless they have his permission."

"No, I suppose so. That is his business."

"Then will you speak to him, ma'am, so that he may not be angry with
the people when they come?"

"I? No," said my aunt. "I have nothing to do with your father's
overseer. It would just make difficulty, maybe, Daisy; you had better
let this scheme of yours alone."

I could not without bitter disappointment. Yet I did not know how
further to press the matter. I sat still and said nothing.

"I declare, if she isn't growing pale about it!" exclaimed my aunt. "I
know one thing, and that is, your father and mother ought to have
taken you along with them. I have not the least idea how to manage
you; not the least. What is it you want to do, Daisy?"

I explained over again.

"And now if you cannot have this trick of your fancy you will just
fidget yourself sick! I see it. Just as you went driving all about
Melbourne without company to take care of you. I am sure I don't know.
It is not in my way to meddle with overseers--How many people do you
want to read to at once, Daisy?"

"As many as I can, Aunt Gary. But Mr. Edwards will not let two or
three meet together anywhere."

"Well, I dare say he is right. You can't believe anything in the world
these people tell you, child. They will lie just as fast as they will
speak."

"But if they came to see _me_, Aunt Gary?" I persisted, waiving the
other question.

"That's another thing, of course. Well, don't worry. Call Preston. Why
children cannot be children passes my comprehension."

Preston came, and there was a good deal of discussing of my plan; at
which Preston frowned and whistled, but on the whole, though I knew
against his will, took my part. The end was, my aunt sent for the
overseer. She had some difficulty, I judge, in carrying the point;
and made capital of my ill-health and delicacy and spoiled-child
character. The overseer's unwilling consent was gained at last; the
conditions being, that every one w