Daisy in the Field | Page 9

No ma'am," I answered.
"Suppose he should be angry about it?"
"Does he get angry?" I asked; and his aunt laughed.
"Does the child think he is perfect?"
"No, certainly," I said; "of course he has faults; but, Miss Cardigan, I
did not think anger was one of them, - or getting angry."
"He will never get angry with you, Daisy, it is my firm belief."
"But does he, easily, with other people?"
"There! I don't know," she said. "He used to be gay quick with his
temper, for all so gentle as he is. I wouldn't try him too far, Daisy, with
not letting him know."
"I cannot tell him -" I said, sighing.
For I knew, better than she did, what thorough good care would be
taken of me, and what small mercy such a visitor as Mr. Thorold would
meet at the hands of my guardians. So with a doubtful heart I kissed
Miss Cardigan, and went back over the way to prepare for my journey.
Which was, however, thrown over by a storm till the next week.
The journey made my heart beat, in spite of all my doubts. It was
strange, to see the uniforms and military caps which sprinkled every
assemblage of people, in or out of the cars. They would have kept my
thoughts to one theme, even if wandering had been possible. The war, -
the recruiting for the war, - the coming struggle, - the large and
determined preparation making to meet it, - I saw the tokens of these
things everywhere, and heard them on every hand. The long day's ride
to Washington was a long fever dream, as it seems to me now; it
seemed a little so to me then.

It was dark when we reached Washington; but the thought that now
became present with me, that anywhere Thorold might be, could scarce
be kept in check by the reflection that he certainly would not be at the
railway station. He was not there; and Dr. Sandford was; and a carriage
presently conveyed us to the house where rooms for us were provided.
Not a hotel, I was sorry to find. By no chance could I see Thorold
elsewhere than in a hotel.
Supper was very full of talk. Mrs. Sandford wanted to know everything;
from the state of the capital and the military situation and prospects for
the nation, to the openings for enjoyment or excitement which might
await ourselves. The doctor answered her fast enough; but I noticed
that he often looked at me.
"Are you tired?" he asked me at length; and there was a tone of gentle
deference in his question, such as I often heard from Dr. Sandford. I
saw that my silence struck him.
"Nonchalant," said Mrs. Sandford, half laughing. "Daisy does not care
about all these things. Why should she? To see and to conquer are the
same thing with her, whatever becomes of your Southern and Northern
camps and armies."
"Indeed I do care," I said.
"For receptions at the White House? - or military reviews? - or parades,
or encampments? Confess, Daisy."
"Yes, I care," I said. "I care about some of these things."
"I am glad to hear it," said Mrs. Sandford. "I really thought, Daisy, you
were superior to them all. Why, child, you have done nothing but
meditate, in the gravest manner, ever since we took seats in the cars this
morning. I was thinking that nothing but cabinet ministers would
interest you."
This would not do. I roused myself and smiled.

"What do you think of your ward?" said Mrs. Sandford pointedly.
"I think more of her guardian," said the doctor somewhat dryly.
"How soon are you going to send Daisy to Europe?"
"According to orders, just as soon as I can satisfy myself with a good
opportunity. I wish you would go."
"Meanwhile, it is a very good thing that she should come here. It will
keep her from ennui at least. Washington is alive, that is one thing; and
Daisy, my dear, we may mount muskets yet. Come, let us go and get a
good night's sleep while that is possible."
I was glad to be alone. I took off my dusty travelling dress, refreshed
myself with a bath, put on a wrapper, and sat down to think.
I found my heart was beating in a way that showed some mental fever.
What was I about? what was I going to do? I asked myself.
I sat with my head in my hands. Then I got up and walked the floor. I
found that I was determined to see Mr. Thorold, and to see him as soon
as possible. Yet I had no certain means of communicating with him.
My determination was a vague determination,