"
"But people are not killed because they cannot pay money," said Nora. "I
have seen people come to papa for money, and they didn't do anything to
him because he hadn't it."
"No, but--those were different times," said Daisy--"and Bassanio lived
in a different country. His friend owed money to a dreadful man, who was
going to cut out two pounds of his flesh to pay for it. So of course
that would kill him."
"O, look at Theresa now!" said Nora.
The young lady had brought her muscles into order; and being clever
enough in her merry way, she had taken the look of the character and was
giving it admirably. It was hardly Theresa; her moveable face was
composed to such an expression of simple inquiry and interest and
affectionate concern. The spectators applauded eagerly; but Nora
whispered,
"What does she look like that, for?"
"Why, it's the picture," said Daisy. "But what does she _look_ so for?"
"She is Bassanio's wife--they have just got married; and she looks so
because he looks so, I suppose. She does not know what is in the
letter."
"Is he going to tell her?"
"Not in the picture--" said Daisy, feeling a little amused at Nora's
simplicity. "He did tell her in the story."
"But why don't we have all the story?" insisted Nora.
"O, these are only pictures, you know; that is all; people dressed up to
look like pictures."
"They don't look like pictures a bit, _I_ think," said Nora; "they look
just like people."
Daisy thought so too, but had some faith in Preston's and Mrs.
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