Melbourne House, Volume 2 | Page 4

would not give the skeptical answer which rose to his lips. Looking at the pure, wise little face which watched his, he made answer simply, not without a smile:
"I am inclined to think they are wandering bodies, that we fall in with now and then, in our journey round the sun."
"Dr. Sandford, what do they look like?"
"You have seen shooting-stars?"
"Yes--are those meteors?"
"Those are meteors that do not come to the earth. Sometimes they are nearer, and look like great fire-balls."
"Have you seen them?"
"Yes, a great many."
"And have you seen them after they fell on the ground?"
"Yes."
"What are they like then?"
"A very black stone, on the outside, and made up of various metals and earths within."
"But then, what makes them look like fire-balls, before they fall?"
"Can't tell, Daisy. As I said, the doctors are divided; and I really have no opinion that you would understand if I gave it."
Daisy would have liked to hear all the opinions, but she did not ask for them. Preston was still standing at the back of the sofa, and started a new subject.
"Dr. Sandford, how soon will Daisy's foot let her go to Silver Lake?"
"In what way do you propose to get there?"
"By boat, sir, across the river; and the rest of the way is walking."
"On plain ground?"
"Not exactly!" said Preston.
"How far do you call it?"
"Three miles."
"Of walking! I think Daisy may walk across this floor by next week; and in a little while after she may go up and down stairs."
"O doctor!" exclaimed Preston. "Why, at that rate, she cannot go to Silver Lake at all!"
"Does she want to go very much?" said the doctor. The question was really put at Daisy's face, and answered by a little flush that was not a flush of pain this time. He saw what a depth of meaning there was in it; what a charm, the sound of Silver Lake had for Daisy. No wonder, to a little girl who had lain for so many weeks looking out of one window, where there was not much to be seen, either.
"Who is going, Daisy?" said the doctor.
"Mamma means to make up a large party--I do not know exactly who."
"Then I think I can promise that you shall go too. You may count upon me for that."
Daisy's eyes shone and sparkled, but she said not a word. Preston was less sagacious.
"Will you do something to make her foot strong, sir?" he asked.
"When you have studied in my profession, you will know more about a physician's powers,"--was all the answer he got. The doctor turned off to conversation with other people, and Daisy was left to herself again. She was very happy; it was very pleasant to lie there comfortably on the sofa, and feel that her long imprisonment was over; it was amusing to look at so many people together, after having for days and days looked at only one; and the old wonted scene, the place and the lights, and the flowers and the dresses, yes, and the voices, gave her the new sense of being at home. Nevertheless, Daisy mused a little over some things that were not altogether pleasant. The faces that she scanned had none of them the placid nobleness of the face of her black nurse; no voice within her hearing had such sweet modulation; and Daisy felt a consciousness that Juanita's little cottage lay within the bounds of a kingdom which Mrs. Randolph's drawing-room had no knowledge of. Gradually Daisy's head became full of that thought; along with the accompanying consciousness, that a subject of that kingdom would be alone here and find nobody to help her.
"Daisy, what's the matter?" whispered Preston. "You are as sober as a judge."
"Am I?" said Daisy.
"What's to pay?"
"Nothing. I feel very nicely."
"Why don't you look like other people, then?"
"I suppose," said Daisy slowly, "I do not feel like other people."
"I wish you'd make haste about it, then," said Preston.
"Do be my own dear little old Daisy! Don't be grave and wise."
"Are you going to spend the night here, Daisy?" said Dr. Sandford, coming up to the sofa.
"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