"
"I said only exactly that, mamma."
"Ransom put it differently."
A flush came up all over Daisy's face; she looked at her mother
appealingly, but said nothing and the next moment her eyes fell.
"Did Ransom answer you at the time, Daisy?"
"Yes, sir," Daisy said in a low voice.
"How?"
"Papa!--" said Daisy confounded.
"What did he say to you?"
"He did not say much--" said Daisy.
"Tell me what his answer was?"
"Papa, he struck my ears," said Daisy. A great crimson glow came all
over her face, and she hid it in her father's breast; like an injured
thing running to shelter. Mr. Randolph was lying on a sofa; he folded
his arm round Daisy, but spoke never a word. Mrs. Randolph moved
impatiently.
"Boys will do such things," she said. "It is very absurd in Daisy to
mind it. Boys will do such things--she must learn that it is not her
place or business to find fault with her brother. I think she deserved
what she got. It will teach her a lesson."
"Boys shall not do such things in my house," said Mr. Randolph in his
usual quiet manner.
"As you please!" said the lady in a very dissatisfied way; "but I think
it is only what all boys do."
"Felicia, I wish to reverse your decision about this day's pleasure.
Seeing Daisy has had her lesson, do you not think she might be indulged
with the play after it?"
"As you please!" returned the lady very drily.
"Do you want to go, Daisy?"
"If you please, papa." Daisy spoke without shewing her face.
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