All the things are brought down there."
"Daisy," said Nora looking at the imposing green baize screen, "aren't
you afraid?"
"Are you?" said Daisy.
"Yes--I am afraid I shall not do something right, or laugh, or
something."
"O, but you must not laugh. That would spoil the picture. And Mrs.
Sandford and Preston will make everything else right. Come and see the
crown for Ahasuerus!"
So they ran across the hall to the room of fancy dresses. Here Ella
presently joined them with her sister, and indeed so many others of the
performers that Preston ordered them all out. He was afraid of mischief,
he said. They trooped back to the library.
"When are they going to begin?" said Nora.
"I don't know. O, by and by. I suppose we shall have tea and coffee
first. People at a party must get through that."
To await this proceeding, and indeed to share in it, the little company
adjourned to the drawing-room. It was filling fast. All the
neighbourhood had been asked, and all the neighbourhood were very glad
to come, and here they were, pouring in. Now the neighbourhood meant all
the nice people within ten miles south and within ten miles north; and
all that could be found short of some seven or eight miles east. There
was one family that had even come from the other side of the river. And
all these people made Melbourne House pretty full. Happily it was a
very fine night.
Daisy was standing by the table, for the little folks had tea at a
table, looking with a face of innocent pleasure at the scene and the
gathering groups of people, when a hand laid gentle hold of her and she
found herself drawn within the doctor's arm and brought up to his side.
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