Sandford.
"She has rather brought confusion into mine," said the gentleman.
"What is the matter?"
"Truth and Daisy, versus civility and the world. And it is not easy to
make a child comprehend some of the fine distinctions we are accustomed
to draw. White and black are _very_ white and black, to such eyes, and
no allowance is made for a painter's lights and shades."
"She must make allowance for what your eyes see," said Mrs. Randolph.
Mr. Randolph made no answer.
"Daisy is entirely changed," her mother went on,--"and is become
utterly obstinate and unmanageable. Perfectly self-important too--she
thinks there is no wisdom now but her own. I may thank you for it, Dr.
Sandford."
"You do me too much honour," said the doctor.
"It is an honour you share with Mr. Dinwiddie."
"I did not know I shared anything with Mr. Dinwiddie."
"He has infected the child with a set of perfectly fanatical notions;
and you persisted in keeping her under that creature's care, where they
had time to grow strong."
"I will do all I can to repair mischief done," said the doctor. "Mrs.
Benoit is a good nurse for the body and you will bear me witness it was
for repairs of _that_ I was called in. What is the other damage referred
to?"
"Fanaticism."
"Rather young for that disease to take deep root," said the doctor.
"Anything takes deep root in Daisy; whatever she takes up she holds to."
"I advise you to let her be fanatical then a little while longer," said
the doctor, "till she has time to lay up some strength.
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