"
"For what?" said Daisy.
"Don't you see? For you. This is Queen Esther before Ahasuerus--you know
the story?"
"O yes!--when he stretched out the golden sceptre to her. She is
fainting, isn't she?"
"Exactly. You can do that glorious, because you have always a pair of
pale cheeks on hand."
"I?"--said Daisy again. "Do you want me to be two things?"
"A dozen things, perhaps. You must be Queen Esther at any rate. Nobody
but you."
"And who will be Ahasuerus?"
"I don't know. Hamilton Rush, I reckon; he's a nice fellow."
"O Preston, why don't you be Ahasuerus?"
"I am manager, you know, Daisy; it won't do for the manager to take the
best pieces for himself. Ahasuerus is one of the best. See how handsome
the dress is--and the attitude, and everything."
"I don't see where you will find the dresses," said Daisy. "All those
are robes of silk and velvet and fur; and then the jewels, Preston!"
"Nonsense, Daisy. Aunt Felicia will let us take all her stores of satins
and velvets and feathers and jewellery too. It won't hurt them to be
looked at."
"I think," said Daisy slowly,--"I think I will not be Queen Esther."
"Why not? don't you like her looks?"
"O yes. _That's_ no matter; but I would rather somebody else would be
it."
"Why, little Daisy? You are the one; nobody can be Esther but you."
"I think I will not," said Daisy thoughtfully.
"What's the matter, Daisy? You _must_. I want you for Esther and nobody
else. What is the objection?"
"I would rather not," said Daisy.
Pages:
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205