"I do not hear you express any pleasure, Daisy," she said meaningly.
Daisy turned her face towards her mother with a doubtful look, and was
silent.
"Speak!" said Mrs. Randolph.
"What, mamma?"
"Whatever you choose, to shew your sense of your aunt's kindness."
"Do not concern yourself, my dear," said her sister. "I am sorry if I
have failed in meeting Daisy's taste--that is all."
"Daisy, speak, or leave the room"--said Mrs. Randolph.
"Mamma," said Daisy, pushed into a corner, "I would speak, but I do not
know what to say."
"Tell your aunt Gary she has given you a great deal of pleasure."
Daisy looked again mutely at her mother, somewhat distressed.
"Tell her so, Daisy!" Mrs. Randolph repeated in a tone of command.
"I cannot, mamma--" the child answered sorrowfully.
"Do you mean to tell your aunt that her exquisite present gives you _no_
pleasure?"
"I did not intend to tell her so," Daisy answered in a low voice.
Another storm rising! Storms seemed to get up very easily in these days.
"My dear," said Mrs. Gary, "do not concern yourself. It is not of the
least consequence, as far as I am concerned. Preston, remove this box.
If Daisy chooses to receive it, perhaps it will find more favour at
another time."
Mrs. Gary got up and moved off.
"Mr. Randolph, I will trouble you to dismiss Daisy," said his wife. "If
she cannot behave properly she cannot be in the room with me."
Daisy was still standing with her hand on her father's knee.
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