M I S S D A I S Y D I M I T Y

T HE AU TH OR OF

EEN IE ! U , OR A N GE LI LY ” “ A J E WEL OF A GIR , L, “ M Y LOVE S H E ’ S B T A LA IE , U S S ,

& c . dzo . ,

I N T HR EE V OLUM ES .

V OL . I I .

L O N D O N H UR S T A N D BLA C! ET T P UBLI S H ER S , ,

1 8 GR EA R LB OR OU GH R EE . , T MA ST T

1 881 .

ll h c r r A r t q t es e ved . A nun emure of lowl ort d , y p ’ r r tl m e of ove c ourt O sp igh y aid n , L s , I n thy simplicity th e sp ort Of all temptations A qu een in c rown of rub ies drest ; A starvling in a sc anty v est Are ll s m to uit th b e t a as ee s ee s , h T y appellations .

A little lo w t one e e c ps , i h y t r to t re te e S a ing h a n and d fy, — That thought c om es nex t and instantly T h e re k i over f a s , T h e e w ll v b e ol ! shap i anish, and h d A silver shield with b oss of gold t re t el om e r b ol Tha sp ads i s f, s fai y d fi ” I n ght to c over .

WOR D S WOR T H . M I S S D A I SY D I M I T Y.

CHA P T ER I .

D ie R se di e Lil e die T e die S e o , j , aub , onn ,

’ D i e e t e st e e esw e li b ich in all in Li b onn .

’ I ch e sic t e e e e e li b nich m hr, ich li b all in

D ie ! e e di e F e e die R e e die E e l in , in , in , in ;

S ie se e e e e B e lb r, all r Li b ronn ,

I st R se Lil e e e o und j und Taub und Sonn .

N th e n n ft t n mor i g a er her firs da ce ,

Daisy woke with difficulty to find

’ n in Mrs . Cox s housemaid observi g her

w t t- t n n ear, i h respec brea hi g loud ess,

“ ’

f t a t n . Break as eleve o clock , miss

” h o w n ! t o ur Dear me , ice ej acula ed

V OL B . II . 2 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

t f l n t h n d slo h u , small heroi e ; al houg , i dee ,

h n t f they had n o t been late t e igh be ore .

n n n t to The , fi di g she had ample ime

sh e ot wn t n t for dress , g do s airs pu c ually th e belated meal .

wa s wn f Mrs . Cox already do be ore her ; b ut w n n t ex he Daisy, discoveri g his , claimed she fel t ashamed o f her o wn lazi

if f n n s . e s , Mrs Cox , as eari g some slur

might seem thro wn o n her o wn daughters

n t n w w t a n by compariso , has ily a s ered , i h a t t pologe ic , ired smile ,

“ n o n t No , , my dear ; you g people mus

n t s w t c an I —of e joy hemselve hile hey .

I n wn n t course , have bee do si ce eigh

’ o clock to see after th e doctor and my

tt n li le schoolboys . Thi gs would n ever go

t if not B - th e - wa W t righ , I did y y, ha

nice gloves you wore last night ! Do yo u

mi n d telling me h o w much they cost ?

s a nd t t we Dai y laughed , old her hey re A 3 MISS D ISY DIMITY . ra ther d e ar (si nce Mad ame Furbelo w

n s cor ned keepi g i nfe rior articles) .

She fan cie d her hostess made a rapid

nt t n me al calcula io , as she very mildly i ncli ned her head while filling the te a

“ e t n B ut she tt cups , jacula i g Ah li le imagi ned that th e troubled mother wa s

“ t n n to f an d n hi ki g hersel , Four Sixpe ce

' t n t a t and the t n las igh cards , ex ra mo ey

t o ut o f th e - mus come milk bill . Yes , I m ust get Fuzzy a pair . Major Hodge remarked he did n ot like mittens worn a t

n hi da ces . I s a w m looking a t hers o ut of

” the n o f cor er his eye .

“ I am afraid that my girls will n ot be

” d wn fo r t nt re o some ime , she prese ly

“ tt n t a nd marked . They are ge i g la er

t n n t t la er . I have bee vai ly ups airs hree t e n the t o f t m im s already , beggi g hree he

to et o ut f ut t m to g o bed . You p he

! se e w n we a shame , my dear You , he h ve

B 2 4: M ISS DAISY DIMITY .

nl two and a n n o y maids ( occasio al help) , it t r f t is hard o gi ve seve al break as s .

it w n wa s n . w Mrs Cox , ill be see , gro i g

i ntimate with Dai sy ; s o much so th at the

poor soul laid aside many o f her little

t n a nd n in th e ef of pre e ces , i dulged reli

n n t bei g a t times ho es . She had hardly Spoke n before Birdie

t nt th e n th e r burs i o room , slammi g doo

n behi d her .

“ ” n n 1 w th a n Good mor i g she cried , i

’ utter ign oring o f her mother s existe nce ;

although bestowi ng upon Daisy a soun d ing

“

. Y ou s ee I c an in t e double kiss , be im

a s we ‘ ll as you . Your brother b et me a

Sixpen ce I would not be down for break

fa st ; so you will tell him I am n ot the lazy

’ o n e of f w n t ou ? n ou: our amily, o y Mi d y

” t n ow 1 ell him ,

Y es t n wn to , cer ai ly Birdie had come do

” breakfast ; b ut h o w i I t would have bee n MISS DAISY DIMITY . 5

tt if sh e n t n be er had go e ups airs agai .

Her touzled fri nge o f hair had plai nly

never bee n re - curled ; withou t the sem

blan ce o f havi ng had a bru s h this mor n in w w tw s t t t g, her yello locks ere i ed up igh . o r at Elm t s t , as Polly Hall called hi s yle , a la wash- tub n t A n k o . old serge go wn seemed to have bee n has tily buttoned over

t o f nt one tt n o f a scarci y garme s , bu o which gown soon going off with a pop c t th n t n e . omple ed disarray Birdie, o hi g

nt the w t in an d dau ed , replaced lack i h a p ; we nt on healthily an d hugely consuming

a n d - bread home made blackberry jam , gru mbling at her mother fo r bei ng s o s ti ngy a s no t to give them marmalade .

Fuzzy came do wn whe n the meal was n n B ut t n wa s early e ded . he she properly d ressed ; a nd though displeased i n her tur n that the maids could no t make her — fresh toast and boil a n egg sin ce the o ne D I M l T Y 6 MISS DAISY . hard - worked bei ng wa s go ne to market a n d th e oth e r wa s busy making the beds u pstairs wisely refusing to hear th e voice — o f the charmer sh e speedily solaced her

f n d k sel with cold beef a pic les .

t t n M rs . w Cox , i h a Sigh , he carried a tray upstairs to her third remaining

t fo r n ot t the nn daugh er, ill midday di er did soft - footed Pussy come lingeringly

n t do w s airs .

’ ft nn tt o f f A er di er, a cla er horses hoo s wa s in the t t a n d t t o t heard s ree ; , rue heir

n d w a . . ord , Jack Mr Lee rode up The

fl e w to the nt an d to Cox girls see mou ,

‘ n in n t l n e vy Daisy her ice blue habi , ooki g as trim an d tidy from her head to h er l t hee s as hear could wish .

“ ’ ” u tt Yo ll do , mu ered Jack , g raciously, after surveying her ; he wa s terribly par

’ tic ular t o t t as his Sis er s dress , hough merely ordin arily idea- d as regarded his MISS DAISY DIMITY . 7

“ o wn n w I s a a s h ; addi g , I ish could y muc

nt fo r your mou .

- e t The middle ag d , horoughbred mare

t t t w t n wa s n o ha s ood meekly a ai i g Daisy ,

t t - a d in n doub ermed middle ge , accorda ce

with that polite custom o f society which

throws a veil over the age o f all females .

“ Such a lean head ! That shows the

” i n th e nt t c blood her, cried e husias i

Smiler .

True ! B ut Daisy secretly regretted that th e amiable thoroughbred was like wise lean of n eck a n d lean o f body alto

t t t its w ge her , so ha ribs sho ed , as Mark

w n the o f a n n . T ai says , like pipes orga I n fact A s l en e was her h ers as is a rake .

” A nd n th e goes like a lamb , e ded

n man deluded you g .

The mare we nt more like a n aged e we

’ in s n t t t n Dai y s mi d as hey s ar ed , bei g, 8 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

a t f t to . I t l hough meek , di ficul move had ,

nt b ut o ne n n w w h appare ly , e grossi g ish , hic wa s to i n e h ow muse p ace , flesh is grass ,

” a nd grass is turned to hay .

They we nt c o untryward s through the

’ t t u n n mos quie sub rba roads , upo Jack s

’ i nsistan ce ; somewhat to th e Smiler s vexa t n wh o n ff t tt t io , made several i e ec ual a emp s to i nduce his frie nd to ride d o wn th e High

t t S ree .

“ “ n n f o t . I No , , replied you g Dimi y my Sister c an hardly man age t o make her

to o it t t mare g , s rikes me you have qui e

as much to do to keep your animal from

n o goi g f . “ Wait till we get o ut a b it i nto the

’ nt f w. see cou ry , old ello You ll a gallop

’ will waken up your Sister s animal and

t n n n f m quie mi e dow . I go t mi e ro a

’

l t wh o . w n t out dea er , Miss Dimi y , o hire

’ his n m n t horses as a rule . Ha dso e , is he 9 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

— ’ Fresh P oh ! yes ; has n t been out o f the

t fo r two t n s able a day or , I Should hi k .

t t n to e t n I t Grea hi g g such a cha ce . is

t n e n t B ut n o everyo e he would l d him o .

th e f w t I bamboozled old ello , hough he n saw in f f Ho ever me his li e be ore . , ho ,

! tt c h afi s ee s n ho a li le , you , goe a lo g

’ A t t s m nt the s hi ome Smiler horse ,

s t n t a sulky , ro g , black bru e , gave a suc — c es sion o f kicks that seemed i nten ded to sen d him an d his chaff a very much longer wa off t n t T he tt y ha he had medita ed . li le m an t o n n t w t s uck galla ly, ho ever, al hough i t apparently kep t him very busy .

A nd n o w it struck Daisy most forcibly tha t he w a s far from a t home in his sadd le ; a nd seemed to have more theory than experie nce as to his man ageme nt o f th e n rei s .

Does he rid e much P she whi s pered to

w th n th n n Jack, i misgivi gs ; as eir compa io 1 0 MISS DAISY DIMITY . wa s n o fi f t t o sudde ly carried rom hem ,

m n f t f t in n his a i es discom or , a caracoli g fa shion .

“ h t s wh t s w t se w t W a round , a bound , ha cour , ha ” h es stop e mak .

Never s a w him on horseback in my life

’ before ! Everybody supposed he couldn t ride ; a nd upo n my word I beli e ve every

” wa s t n w n n body righ , rej oi ed Jack , ri kli g

w t t w n his boyish bro , ha had deep ri kles brought to it every hour o f the day by

n similar trifli g cares .

n it n t nt I deed , had bee ra her a regime al wo nder to see Smiler Lee go out this day o n n th t horseback . Ma y were e small be s as to whether he would come back n u

t a s n harmed . I w well k own he could n ot

n n n o r tw n drive , havi g o ly o ce ice bee — i n duced to handle th e ribbons which he did by h olding each rein in either han d w l t an d lirru in a t the el apar , p g loudly S D A l S Y MI S DIMITY . l l

B ut w t n the w horse . i hi ildest imagina tion o f man it wa s n ot suppos e d he could be go t to ride

A to nt n in t o f t s hu i g, spi e all his o her

nt w f n d e accomplishme s , he al ays ra kly c lare d o n this point his abhorrence o f

n n n an d tt d etermi havi g his eck broke , u er n t n f n t t if n t n a io be oreha d ha , ever a y hi g

n to so did i duce him behave rashly, he

e t o fi a t f n a n d ft should g every e ce , , a er maki ng hi mself a n d steed clamber over the

t if f t re obs acle ( easible) separa ely, should m nt f n h ou sa ely o t e opposite Side . What

t f t tt s t glamour, here ore , mus li le Mis Dimi y

t wn e t t ft h ad have hro ov r him , ha , a er She

nn nt n of o f n i oce ly spoke her love ridi g , he should a t o n ce have been bi tten with th e mad desire thus to Shine in her favourite exercise !

nt w t t f t Prese ly Mr . Lee , i h vas di ficul y , contrived to restrai n his fractious beast 1 2 MISS DAISY DIMITY . sufficie ntly to le t th e brother an d Sister c ome fo r a fe w delusive momen ts within

fe t n o f sa dis a ce him . With equal difficulty poor Daisy kept

’ urgi ng hers so as to keep pace with Jack s

n t t t ho es cob, his priva e proper y . She grew so impatient with her shambling

’ n B a - o - n t t b ut fo r equi e g bo es , ha , pure

t w t o it pi y, she ould have liked pommel , to w it to t to own n hip , ake her imble heels a n d h i t aul t by h e bridle . Oh ” w f Jack dear, she hispered , airly

“ n at t w madde ed las , I ish he had hired a d n - too fo r to run n a n d o key boy, , me , behi d

” whack .

S h t o u Poor old Lee migh hear y ,

B ut a n d w wf u . he ould be so a lly vexed ,

—I s a ! ! Wh if t t hallo y By Jove y , ha

’ i s n t Captai n Gascoign e riding o n there

” a o f u s ! w t re head Why , Lee ( i h much

“ h t t o u t ne proac ) , I hough y old me Gascoig I MISS DA SY DIMITY . 1 3

u n o t o ut w t to - co ld come i h us day .

“ No ; I o nly said I though t he could

” n o t in t n o f far f m t , a o e ro equal deligh ; a nd sud denly seemi ng t o o wn that the

was t t o t black horse ra her hard mas er, by wa of t n a n f u t n y s oppi g y r her i quiries .

I f n wn t t I wa s I had k o ha Why ,

t t n i s almos cer ai you had asked him . He the one m an I would have asked to make

” o n e o f t t un t our par y , ejacula ed yo g Dimi y wh o wa s secre tly as h u gely dissati s fied a t this semblan ce o f a Slight to his dearest

f n was t n nt o n n rie d , as Lieu e a Lee bei g bro ught into u nfavourable compari s o n wi th

fin th n as e a rider as e o e ahead .

fo r w - n Luckily Jack , his ell beloved Damo

wa s n o t far in f n t n o n n ro ; so , ridi g , he soo

a t an d c ugh him up , had made voluble ex

n t n a n d n u to n pla a io s , easily i d ced him joi

t t to wn f s heir par y Galloper Do , be ore Dai y

a nd th e th e o ne t n Smiler came up , hal i g, 1 4 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

th e t - t n at t o her demi vaul i g, opposi e Sides h o f t e road .

I t was as much as G a scoigne a nd Jack

to f n f of t could do , re rai rom a roar laugh er t as th ey watched heir approach .

A n d n ow what th e poor Smiler had

f s n l nt . d ame ably ore ee , occurred He ared

n ot approach Daisy ; sin ce th e black horse

wa s n m t t s mi behavi g o s a rociously . Cap

t n i n o n th e t n ai Gasco g e , o her ha d , could

n tf a d did . For his horse had a deligh ul

t an d to n emper, , as looks , made everyo e

th t nth n nt break e e comma dme . He him

f to o wa s f and at sel , , a amous rider ; his

t in wa on very bes every y horseback .

This day he wa s i n e s pe c ially good Spirits ;

and made himself so agreeable that poor

Daisy grew all th e more ashamed o f her

o wn nt t appare stupidi y .

What a guy he must thi nk I look o n

this ugly old creature ! What a goose he

1 6 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

’ a t n n d y. I have old Captai Gascoig e all

about the determi ned way in which

you tried to cap ti vate that poor y ou ng

m an a nd h e t n h x nt , hi ks you ave e celle

’ taste f

“ Oh — t n n n r , Jack Cap ai Gascoig e eve

” could have said tha t ! with a sud de n look

o f t f l n e t t t n w t t hur ee i g , y rus ; implyi g, i hou

n w of it th e e n o f bei g a are , by xpressio

“ h er u t n n f s a p ur ed you g ace , He does y — s atirical thi ngs a nd misj udge me b ut h e

is hardly so bad as that !

Than k you fo r havi ng a s ufficie ntly good

ini n of t w Op o me , Miss Dimi y ; hich hap

” n to t G n pe s be righ , replied ascoig e add

i n w t o f f o r n g, i h a smile apology payi g a

“ nt I it wa s complime , believe his good

n taste that I allowed myself to comme d .

I t me i n t t n t n t surprised ha ge lema , I mus o wn fo r o n n n it t me , , seei g him o ce, s ruck t t was ha he , 1 MISS DAISY DIMITY . 7

R ather like th e snail

! w e th e se his no n chi fly for hou upon back .

fe in th n Daisy ebly laughed e backgrou d .

The Smiler wa s ill - j udged e nough to

th e m t w t u - f w echo ir h , i h his sual good ello

f th e f nt n t nt ship , rom ro . His horse i s a ly executed a gambado of th e most furiously w t f t n and f t w t to w ra h ul descrip io ; or h i h , Sho his f n n n n w play ul ess , bega da ci g Side ays ,

i h tt n w t n n t e . i h his hi d legs gu er O ly , as

his r w nt to regarded ider, he decidedly a ed m t f n as s a l ake his per orma ce a p e .

n t t t to U happy, ligh some Lee s ill ried jest ; b ut it wa s evide nt to everyon e else t t w t t o m o f ha , hile he s rove ake a comedy th th e n t is ride , proud a imal he bes rode bitterly resented a ny b ufioon ery ; an d wa s r to m it if n ot t at esolved ake , a ragedy ,

- least serio comic .

’ He ll be o ff soon ; an d your sister will

wn tt n in t be do , u ered Gascoig e , quie ,

C V OL . I I . 1 8 MISS DAISY DIMITY . n n n for to ervous u happi ess Daisy, aside

t t w nt wn in Jack Dimi y , as hey e do a hill

“ th n nt H o w so e ope cou ry . could Lee be cheated as to choose her such a brute ; no t

” fit to carry any lady ?

it w to w n h Oh , ill have do her ell e oug

r - ust to it f o to day . Tr her keep up ; she

’ n ever let the governor s old horse a t home d wn in f t I o her li e , hou gh have

I n a it n good hour, be Spoke he should have added . — — — S lw i i ther S era amble D own !

No Hi ; holloa ! Up agai n

“ n w i t D mi . Well do e ; ell saved , Miss v

” h a n d o t t t . Touc g ha ime , Daisy

There were some loose stone s o n th e

’ h - w th e old m ill side , hich poor are s shaky forelegs could not find foothold o n ; an d so

all b ut n she had slid upo her knees . “ I f it was n ot f it was a all, as bad as o ne w t nn e , cried re ched Daisy, so u erv d A 1 MISS D IS Y DIMITY . 9

n n was by all she had u dergo e , she ready t o we ep .

f n the Be ore she had e ded , black horse

flung out i n a volley of furious kicks the failure o f his mean- spirited companion to un seat o ne o f their common e nemies hav

n n i g goaded him to mad ess .

One two t ! , , hree The luckless Smiler

Lee at last pighte him o n th e pomel o f

” in th e t his head dismal di ch . The black horse at on ce made a disgraceful attempt to complete his ill - co n duc t by galloping — stablewards b ut wa s frustrated by Gas

n wh o n to t coig e , ma aged ca ch his bridle .

“ t ! we n Look here , Dimi y have had e ough o f t n n n the his o se se, surely, exclaimed latter apart to Jack in a ton e o f a ngered

n t t n f wh o wa s decisio ha , comi g rom him , u nt was sually so ge le , rare .

a t t n t l Jack looked him , as o ished . S il he was to f now to t who used say be ore , o hers

0 2 20 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

’ “ ’ o f n tn H e s spoke Gascoig e s quie ess ,

t n b ut m n if n h e quie e ough ; , i d you , o ce

” ut f t n n it w . does p his oo do , he mea s

Gascoign e continued

That horse would have go ne quie tly

n a t t far tt if n e ough , or, leas , be er, Lee o ly

n h t k ew o w to ride him . Your sis er is

’ miserable ; her whole day s e njoyme nt is

n t t in bei g spoil ; besides , she is posi ively

’ danger I ll tell yo u what we must do get o ff a n d change saddles here a t thi s ’ m h farmyard . I ll make Lee give e up is

a nd t m n horse ; your sis er Shall have i e .

n a t nt w a nd The , all eve s , ho ever Lee I

et o n o u a nd S h e c an d c an g , y have a goo t e r o n wn a n d n Galloper Do , e j oy your

” selves .

o o n n c ut t S said ; s do e . Gascoig e Shor

n t n n the was all remo s ra ces i deed , Smiler to o crestfallen to offer any with much fe r

and the a w t a vour, eyed bl ck horse i h MISS DAISY DIMITY . 2 1

glan ce o f i nj ured confide nce a n d intense

dislike .

“ I f ever you catch me on your back

” a n t ! t o him gai , you bru e he murmured

’ f t w n t wa s sel , hear ily ishi g his day s ride o ver ;

B ut s w t n an d t Dai y, i h a xious eyes par

wa s w t n ho w n w ed lips , a chi g Gascoig e ould

man age t o mou nt th e steed o f evil . I t r f u to let et o n a t t t e sed him g firs , al hough

he spoke t o it an d tried to coax it ; b ut in

a frigh ten ed manner it went back a nd back h till it wa s stopped by t e farmyard wall .

n et nt th e a n d The he did g i o saddle , — e veryo ne expected a plu nge a kick or two — a fight o f some sort fo r mastery

th e t n s nt o f t To as o i hme hem all , Gas coigne desired the horse to go o n ; a nd it o nt n t t o ut bedie ly we . ! uie ly he rode a lo ng with th e others : quietly o n a nd o n t hey rode . MISS DAISY DIMITY .

I tt a t t declare , u ered Jack , las break

“ in the w t n n of th e t I: g a chi g sile ce res , n ever sa w such a thin g in my life ; o ne w t n vo u ha d th t ould hi k mesmerised e beas .

There never wa s a nyo n e wh o had such a

wa o f n curious y maki g all horses quiet .

” What I s I t ? Have you a charm ?

w n n tf To hich Gascoig e , ever boas ul, a ns wered also with some surprise

“ Really it is more than I un d e rstan d

f ft h m . t e te ysel Perhaps , a er all , poor bru

t n e s in t n exhaus ed all his e ergi figh i g you ,

Lee ; so that it is thanks t o your e n duri ng th e worst of his misbehaviour that I have t th t f ” go e bes o him .

n t n t it Which ki dly fic io , hough deceived n n ot n the m him obody, eve Smiler , ade n evertheless more pleased with himself ; a s

’ s u ch good - n atured speeches do salve o ne s

f- bruised sel love .

24 D MISS AISY DIMITY . — campio n azure and ro se i ntermingli ng in — gloriou s daring o f colour were no w all

adorned in W hite as fo r the bridal o f

s ummer,

th e w ed e ew s e t e And in arm h g gr lu h glan in ,

- h e - M G reen c ow bind and t moonlight coloure d ay.

White lay the dust belo w snowy gleamed

the great e x - eye s fro m th e bank s ; creamily

curved th e tendrils o f ho neysuckle through

the t n and the n we t n a gled brake ; bi d ed , e der

l n n to d ffe its y cli gi g every hol , o red milk

w t to the a nd sun t t n hi e cup air , ha had lo g

s n i ce drai ned it o f d e w .

H t it was n h s nt o ; b ut o t to o o t to be plea a .

O nly e nough so to make them all gladly

the - d t o f w a t leave high roa , ollo pa h up a

wooded gle n by the side o f a trout- river

a n and w r the gle mi g dark cool , he e broad

o ak n s w it thefish bra ches over hado ed , and ,

s t s w nt t n to and fro — o r like pri e , e dar i g

w n r s in the o n bra li g merrily over ock pe , MISS DAISY D IMITY . 25

whe re the wood s receded and left bracken

t s o r o f o ak s pa che , a coppice crub .

e S ws ee e s ee e sh radd s e Wh n ha b n h n , and full fayr ,

e ves th e e And l a bo larg and long , I tt i s merrye walking in th e fayre forrest ” b ird e e To heare th e small s song .

” ho w t is ! s Oh , lovely his cried Dai y , who was s to n th e s w f t u ed o ly leepy, ide , la

st s a nd s n st n s a n pa ure , olem a dard elm rou d

o wn Elm . her home , Hall

“ Y es is it no t ? , I come here very

’ ft n n w s n who was no w o e , a s ered Ga coig e,

s e a n be id her gai .

“ Tho se wre tched little beggars of fish

” a re not th e n th o f n s le g my fi ger, aid Jack , who was s ts n to his s and a por ma very oul, looked o n all scenery with the eyes of a

s t and n n n good ho a arde t a gler .

’ Ho w the se flies do torment o ne s horse

nt st o f far here , lame ed poor Lee , la all , d wn the w o d h o o pat . 2 6 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

Pity fo r his fe elings preve nted the re st f m n n t se s at st ro e j oyi g hem lve , or, lea , ex p ressing their e nj oyment as much as they

t w s t n w n i . t se e o her i e m gh Al hough , he t saw wn n s n hey , do amo g dark rock , a ki g

fis a f s o f n s no t her, la h livi g blue , Dai y could

’ nt n s f and to n s co ai her el ; , Gascoig e surprise ,

o ut w t st t d l t cried i h ec a ic e igh .

“ I t doe s o ne good to se e ho w you are enj oyi ng yourself ; to se e h o w happy yo u

” s t n n to s a t w t look, he aid ur i g mile her i h s n x ss n na s h an ad uch a ki dly e pre io , y, uc

n f n o ne t t s f t all miri g, rie dly , ha Dai y orgo a t t r s s n st n n s and bou hei previou mi u der a di g , f t t t ft all—sh e him el ha , a er did like a

tt li le .

t s h s is s n ! Who Oh , hi or e uch a darli g could help being happy o n his back she

u u d nd n s w s in s m rm re , be i g ide ard a upple wa so t t s no t and y, ha poor Lee hould hear

“ ’ r A nd n s s ts o be fu ther vexed . o e piri g Y 2 MISS DAISY DIMIT . 7 up so high again after being lo w ; like se e saw was so w t n f t . I re chedly u com or able before ! and no w I am as happy as happy

’ n t t n o ur t s can be . Do you hi k all rouble

” a re over for the day ?

’ ’ Do n t halloo till we re o ut o f the wood

st it s n and f the r r We mu leave oo , ord ive d o wn at that gravelly be nd yo u see below the wooded cliff ; and my horse may be

t v s ts nw n to ss like o her e il piri , u illi g cro r n u nni g water .

“ I believe you could make him go any w here .

t w tt n t t t t hit Wi h hich fla eri g ribu e, ha its and did s t n mark , very much plea e Cap ai

’ s n n t to his t Ga coig e s co cei , j udge by gra ified s h f t t e . mile , hey reached ord

’ Gascoigne i nsisted o n Daisy s goi ng ove r

’ in s But his st s f t n J . fir a e y, u der ack care o wn st d as his tt n n ro ee , li le compa io had p

hesied s s t th e st m p , pla hed hrough clear rea ‘ M D I M lT Y 2 8 ISS DAI SY .

with no mo re added liveline ss than j ust

m his r w n ade ider Sho to adva tage .

S o s t t w t n f th e Dai y hough , a chi g him rom

n and was n r s f so n ba k, o ly ou ed rom doi g b y heari ng Jack exclaim

“ Wh the y, Lee Poor Lee By Jove ,

” mare is lying do wn with him l !

T o o true !

That mo st misguided (in all senses) o f

n m s n nt the w t as r e a i al , havi g e ered a er elu t ut a s t h t d w n a ly a decrepi a her, Seeme , he

f wa ss to find it a nd f s hal y acro , cool re re h i n t o ld f t s w t n g abou her e lock . S i chi g her

t to et no of th e sh e t st . ail g flies, s ood ill

w s f n s n The Smiler , ho e good eeli g had bee

so ss s n st th e s gro ly mi u der ood by black hor e ,

ne w again felt his better self returning ; and k n w t o s i dly allo ed her hus t re t .

f n w w t was ut n Be ore he k e ha She abo , eve

’ as Jack s warning cry was still ri nging in the s n air, She had abu ed his permissio by MISS DAISY DIMITY . 29 lyi ng down and rolling luxuriou sly in the water : while what became o f him it would be hard i nd e ed to say

A st the t s o f s t mid ou crie ympa hy , advice,

’ and n a s s ss t n of gibi g, D i y irrepre ible i kle

ft t and th e m r unf so laugh er, louder, o e eel in t o f the r st—s s — r n in g mir h e ou ed d ippi g, — a rage fo r o nce in his life the saddened

the n Smiler reached ba k .

“ Y o u fo r all th e w look , orld , like a

- w wat rat . er , bello ed Jack

as n o n th e t nd o ff G coig e , o her ha , j umped to assure himself that their comrade wa s no t hurt ; the n advised him to ge t dried a t a

’ w t - ff s tt no t far f m the t a er baili co age ro pa h , w s his s - t s t s n here, al o , addle gir h migh be ee to — ne n s o bei g bur t.

Poor Lee gallantly declared he did not

n the w tt n b ut th e s was a no mi d e i g, addle ther matter ! He looked so doleful over the c ut a n his sorry figure he , dr ggi g drip 30 MIS S DAISY DIMITY .

n s n nt the e w st w t pi g Ro i a e by bridl , hil a er in the n se f at st and g grou d him l every ep , f n st n st to a t t orlor ly rivi g ill look g y, ha

in t nt to o w t Jack , pure pi y, volu eered g i h him .

“ Y o u w l t o f m s st if i l ake care y i er, you

’ ’ d o n t much mind ? I ll follow you up a s

n a can s d to s n . soo ever I , he ai Gascoig e

t n s n w t st f Cap ai Ga coig e , i h a mo cheer ul e ss n to t n w not xpre io , seemed hi k he ould

th t mind e rouble very much .

s an t n u Thu , hour la er, havi g climbed p

‘ f the len s nt s n n t rom g by a plea a a ce di g pa h ,

s and s n n t t w Dai y Ga coig e , alo e oge her, ere havi ng a rare gallop over th e moorland a b ove .

Galloper Down was a grand place fo r a

t u t it f gallop ! whe n o nce yo u go p o . Tur s n and s ft as t b ut fe w s pri gy, o velve , boulder o r gorse - bu shes a glorious View over three

h s and o n t s d a sun and w n a t S ire , , hi y, i d

82 Y DI MISS DAIS MITY .

t th e n w f D . o like , s ill mi d ould seem ree

” yo u no t feel the same ?

He had gro wn very familiar with Daisy d uring th e last hour But why expect her to w t him in t n s as as agree i h all hi g , he

‘ pl ainly d id P

w nsw t m w th She , ho ever, a ered i idly, i s r s t fo r his t t n n uch deep e pec ligh es opi io , — that disagreeme nt seemed ve nturou s al t she to o s t t fo r hough , , had po i ively qui e gotte n till no w to be at all afraid o f her companion ; the rapid pace at which they

n n s n s n had bee ridi g, ide by side, havi g hake her o ut o f self- co nsciousne ss

“ I am afraid my taste is no t fo r such w s n in w o ne s s to ide ce ery , hich eem have no ram t the t I S not t s f e o pic ure . hi more a

” “ But panorama ? sh e timidly hazarded .

d o t t - st and w d e ns I love rou reams oode gl ,

the o ne n us t n to f t like behi d ; he , be per ec , o ne tt t n nt far- wa li le peep , I hi k, i o a y ; MIS S DAISY DIMITY . 33

st o ne tt t t I s to j u li le peep , ha hould like t at t s n w n o ne f t w s to ake ime o ly , he el a i h see o ut i nto the great world The n it w ould be like coming i nto s nug home again to t n a nd see th e w s n ur back , ood all rou d

” me .

“ t n o u s see mv s i n Why, he , y hould hou e

S o uthshire w the w s wn to , here ood come do

’ the water s edge ; and there is a river that r ns t w in h ot sum u hrough our place , here ,

w t tt s st o f n mer ea her , a poor li le i er mi e , n sit r b i t ow to . dead , used The e are g rees all n and tf in the rou d , deligh ul rocks middle o f the r t t o u can s and iver , ha y ea ily reach , — betwee n the branche s there is a peep j ust

” s as w — h s a uch you ould like of t e e .

Ho w t n t s st n s ra ge ej acula ed Dai y, ari g u t h ! t t p a im with parted lips . Why ha reminds me so exactly o f a spo t somewhere in the s t s to t o f n a o ou h I u ed be old lo g g , w n was t he I qui e a child , by

VOL . I I . 345 M ISS DAISY DIMITY .

By whom P

s st n s l Y et ss s A imple que io , ure y . Mi Dai y

s s and st n to t t blu hed vi ibly , , rivi g hide ha , stooped to pat th e glossy neck o f th e good

s bay hor e that carried her .

i s no at ne t t t . o Oh , doe m er Some I

n s n s n wa t ttl I t have ever ee i ce I s qui e li e . would no t i ntere st you at all to k no w wh o

” w s it a .

“ What a mysterious little lady yo u are I

t n s ne t s n no o ne re ur ed Ga coig , ligh ly ; i ce could really associate much mystery with

’ ss m t s s f n Mi Di i y ro ebud ace . O e day yo u wish to expl ain to me somethi ng mo st par tic ularl and w n it s to the nt y ; , he come poi , n t n w l n u s A nd o hi g il i duce yo to do o . n o w you u nkindly refuse to reveal the ide n tity o f somebody wh o talked to yo u whe n

w uite tt you ere q li le .

“ You k no w yo u would no t really care t o

” n w s n n . k o , cried Dai y, gai i g courage He M I ss DAISY DIMITY . 3 5 w as b i and w as e so a g boy , I ver much younger ; a nd he u se d to tell me abou t a

ne w t t w t n I o in . gle he k , ha ould like play

w r s to o and and There ere ock , ; a river ; the sea and t- s an o ; a boa hou e, like arb ur ,

s o . I s s t be ide a po l Oh , uppo e here may be d o ze ns o f such place s in E ngland — Curiou s There is a pretty boat- hou se o n o ur r to o se the s t s e iver , , clo by po I pok

” “ o f s n Wh n ne s . o o , aid Ga coig e y, could have told yo u o f my favourite hau nt ? But

h o w o n earth do you remember so well a

descriptio n told you some years ago

h is n —w t t n Oh , ere Jack comi g i h a o e

of more j oy than his appearance ten minute s a e w s t so w g ould have arou ed , al hough ell

beloved .

A nd thu s Gascoigne go t no answer to his

st ns que io .

t t t n n his f n Jack rela ed ha , havi g see rie d

d and ns d th e tt ried co ole , la er had decided

D o 86 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

o n t n n o n f t to M st wn - re ur i g oo ar o high road ,

’ where a b us would pick him up ; means

havi ng bee n fou nd to se nd the mare back

’ to wn t to rt s t l w t mes her o er ied a ca ai , i h

s e s f n n ag o ig omi y .

n s set f th e re mal nl n t Their mi d ree , g hree

ne w resolved to e nj oy themselves for the

r t of the s nn n n w t t t t es u y eve i g, i hou hough

t o ne st n e of ime . They had more mo obl

nt all the wa ca er, y back over Galloper

s ns t was s t o f as Do wn. The u e a igh glory

they turned at last homeward s ; and two of

t m at st no t n s to se e b ut he lea had o ly eye ,

u find w s t it A co ld ord o admire . ( s many

t n t nn t w t f m people hi k hey ca o , he her ro f ls sh n s o r w nt o f we nt o r t f a e y e s, a , slo h ul

f t t ne ss o hough . )

But n d ! w re poor Jack , i dee ould have

to t w s d to t to quired Shou , had he i he impar the others any analysis o f the delicate

s o r t nd s n s nt st plea ure e erly e suou , pa hei ic 37 MISS DAISY DIMITY . j oy arou sed withi n his mi nd by the beauty

of t n to s w the s s ear h prepari g leep , hile kie

were flu shed and flooded with gorgeou s

h sun s n colour as t e ever a k .

F o r th e - t w s t u bridle pa h home ard , hro gh

the n n n n w o f two darke i g gle , o ly allo ed

’ n st a nd fo r t s s ridi g abrea ; , civili y ake, he

h s st u c ould no t ride beside is i er . Th s

D aisy and Gascoigne were again together ; virtually alo ne so far as i nterchange o f ideas w nt and t s to t n e , hey eemed have more ha e n n f n n in n ve duri g a ter oo commo .

t in o ne new r s t s n Excep e pec . Ga coig e had begun to look at Daisy somewhat freque ntly ; and that with an expres sio n so very like u nwitting admiratio n that she n t n f w r un . o bei g able to ollo o der st n t at s m nt a d him here , uch ome s looked — down o r would begi n patti ng th e brave

” t sh e o n and n Bay Cur al rode , maki g f very much o him . 38 S A MIS D ISY DIMITY .

“ as t e e And h y rod along, Lady mine !

T h e t st e ve t e s hro l ga h m ong, And th e buds p eep ed through th e grass

T see t e t ss o you h and b au y pa , ” Lady min e !

A nd w n we to t a a n ss he are mee g i , Mi

t ? s nt as a t no Dimi y he pre e ly ked , l hough

refere nce had bee n previou sl y made to

their parting. “ C h ! we s se e o n n a hall you Su d y, She

“ F r th brightly replied . o e Coxes wa nt to

take me to garri so n chapel ; they say it is

t t to see the r t qui e my du y se vice here .

A nd I should like to See Jack in u niform

n w ut it o n fo r us t th e he ever ould p , excep

’ r st t n n w t ve y fir ime (gla ci g back , i h admi

ratio n more ope n and quite equal to that

t sh wn s n t w s s f la ely o by Ga coig e o ard her el ,

at th e snub - no se and pleasantly ugly young

nt n n f cou e a ce o her elde st bro ther) .

s n s and n w Ga coig e miled broadly ; a s ered ,

40 D M I MISS AISY D l T Y .

Ho w very certain C aptain Gascoigne

’ s e to ft t s t at e med be , a er hi day s ride , h

D aisy agreed with him in most things ! R CHAPTE III .

W ee est s - t e we , mod , crim on ipp d flo r, ’ ” u s met m e ev Tho in an il hour .

R f r ss t LETTE o Mi Dimi y .

I t was n o n d ss n - t lyi g her re i g able ,

and the n n s had come by eve i g po t .

I t was not from Elm Hall : the first glance

r n t t w t d sa nt nt a nd ecog ized ha i h i ppoi me ,

fe w o ther correspo nde nts in the land had

a s n it u to d w t D i y . Taki g p ally i h her curi

o sit so n o f us to sh e y, as ma y idly like do , s aw it bore o nly the M arstown po stmark .

‘ I t was i n o ne o f the n n w mea , arro euve

IO es to o n no w s a nd was p , , obody like ; a ss in V s w t n b e ddre ed a ile cra l , some hi g 4 2 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

’ twee n a child s rou ndhand and th e mali

us s t t n ns cio flouri h ha ge erally ador a bill .

But Daisy did no t o we a pe nny in the

t own ; had bought n othing except that

un r n . n n it t lucky blue ibbo Ope i g , here f in h ssn ss s n ore, appy carele e , oo her blue

eyes grew wide and quite scared - looki ng as

she read the follo wi ng threat e ni ng epistle

D E R M I nnocent M T A ISS DI I Y ,

s is to le t o u n w t Thi y k o , hough

o u t n to so as if y pre e d be very demure , butter would no t m elt in your mou th (and

’ so n f s t t t s s m w n t you g, or oo h ha uch ha o

w n s n go do n i Mar to w .

ou t to t S e L ee Y hink ca ch mil r ,

e A s anyon e with an eye can se .

B ut wa rned fo r w t all t n s be , i h your pre e ce ,

t t s n no one of n so ha impo e upo , bei g much

fi ner than o ther girl s f a r better born a nd

d a d s sh l is s n o o r s it . bre , y ( y) , our grapes MISS DAISY DIMITY . 43

He is too old a bird to be caught with your

chaff ; a nd soo n yo u will find yoursel f the

n - st f th laughi g ock o e town . So be warned

b f n and u r nn n as o u y a rie d , give p u i g, y do ,

fte nt n a r ge leme .

“ ie n t tt ss t ! Y o u F , augh y li le Mi Dimi y

that prete nd to be so very proper !

“ Thi s is from o ne who advise s yo u fo r

n o ur own y good .

Daisy could have put down her head and

e cri d .

was so s so s s and She hocked , urpri ed

t F o r in o wn t sh e knew she hur . her hear

had tried to behave with o nly pleasant fe eling and kindliness to all the Marsto wn

people whom She had met ; had tried to

speak ill o f no ne ; had tried to think well

o f t — a t s hem all harder a k .

Pride a nd asto ni shme nt at first kept back

B wr n d te s . ut t n her ar he , like a o ged chil , 44 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

r f s s her osebud ace puckered curiou ly, ome s al t drops had to be winked away from h er e s t at st w t s ns of n n ye , ill la , i h a e e fi di g some

‘ s c o mfo rt t/tere sh e f f mall , airly hid her ace f in her handkerchie .

fe w s n s w n . O ly a eco d , ho ever

Privacy was a rare treat i n the Cox

s t ns it n hou ehold hey co idered o ne . They

were amo ng those female beings who keep

’ runni ng in and o ut o f each other s p rivate a t nt all d a n r - s par me s y, eve you bed room

not being co nsidered by them the special

s n m u w s a ctu yo i h them to b e regarded .

t o u n s w n w t n tt Wha are y doi g, e i g, ri i g a le er,

n f nt A nd curli g your ro hair ? they cry.

very probably they either stand and gaze at

yo u (in a madde ning way) ; o r el se they

c a l sit wn fo r t a nd ff n lm y do a cha , are o e ded

a an nt f n t t y hi o bei g urned o ut.

’ A quick k nock came at Daisy s door .

What ! are you changi ng your d re ss ? I MISS DA SY DIMITY . 45

’ came through th e keyhole in Birdie s voice a nd ss and f th e n Pu y Fuzzy , rom backgrou d o f the n n n n la di g, could be heard i quiri g,

Shall we all come in and help you ; o r shall we wait outside here fo r yo u Do be

’ t s quick , here a dear

Poor D ai sy had o nly j ust time to hid e

tt t f s her le er guil ily , be ore Pu sy begged her wa in w t ss fo r she was ss as y i h care es , le e ily

f se t n th e st re u d ha re ,

s all t he s n wnst s Dai y hurried oo er do air ,

n fo r the t s bei g clamoured by o her girl .

“ t o u — at st Ah here y are la . Your

’ brother h as go ne to wash his hand s in papa s

” - d ss n . a n as us re i g room (J ck had bee , ual ,

“ “ ss fo r tea I s impre ed high . Sh the s t ? N o w P e t w e e door hu quick , , hav

ot s t n to to g ome hi g read you . Your bro ther would be wild if he k ne w we had got a

’ co pyf

A nd o ne of the gi rls hereupo n produced 4 6 M ISS DAISY DIMITY .

s ts of n t - a some hee o e paper, covered ppar

ntl w t t e v i h poe ry .

t it f m n s to I go ro Mr . Jo e . I had coax

s n s f it A d t him o treme dou ly o r . n I had o

” s to t N O ON E who it to promi e ell gave me ,

s ss w t n nt s f- satisfac pur ued Pu y , i h emi e el t n and r a e f t f n ss f t st io em rkabl ai h ul e o ru .

“ ’ Can t yo u tell her first wha t it is ?

t in s ruck Fuzzy .

“ I t is poetry upo n all the officers and r nts in st wn was s nt egime Mar o . A copy e to of t and no o ne c an ss who each hem , gue

i f t w t t. fun ! s o ro e Such Why, ome hem

w w w s i t n e I . A e s hi k did , believe ll i h that we were clever e nough (regretfully) .

” Oh ! S o it is a no nymou s ? slowly

a sk e s in s n w t . d Dai y, a di approvi g voice ; i h a

sudden cooling o f a ny f uture admiration o f

th e st r s t ff s n my e iou poe ic e u io .

“ Of s it is f th e s in cour e . Some o girl

M st wn m st h w tt n it b ut no o ne ar o u ave ri e ,

48 Y MISS DAIS DIMITY .

u no t o r a—no —w a co ld be a Jack , ell , a J ck j ust ! in ev e ry regime nt ; a nd M aj or Hodge and n s w r w fu s o f h o w Mr . Jo e e e o l example u ninteresting to her eve n martial heroes could be who had no t th e disti nguished a dvantage o f bei ng assocmte d with Lieu t n nt t n n e a Dimi y . ) Fuzzy u heedi gly pro

Ce e d ed

“ ’ And there s nothing we think like infantry ; give us i those that here s .

A n . r to But a s ( admirable hyme peers . D i y trusted her Jack would never be give n over to be torn in piece s by th e loving hand s o f th e w n Marsto n you g ladies . )

’ T e e e O D ono hue th e s est h r rod our darling g , hand om

th e in land ,

- e J es he th e st his And dark hair d on marc d in mid , ” s e hi word w ll in s hand .

(Military k nowledge somewhat i naccurate

the t as . here, Fuzzy remarked ) While ditty we nt o n to tell ho w Colo nel D unn

’ n had m to s t m (Jack s colo el) , co e mar hal he D I M I ' ‘ MISS DAISY I Y . 49

“ I his esse n all uniform dr d, ’ With a helmet like a polic eman ( s upon his gal lant crest ;

H e e us es te was his e e look d upon ladi and a ar in y , H e looke d upon his soldiers and his glanc e was stern ” and high .

The me tre here shifted u naccou ntably to a

’ striking imitatio n o f Gold smith s epitaph o n

r Ga rick .

e e es C t G s e es e me wh o H r com ap ain a coign , d crib can , ” e t t t is e s t An abridgm n of all ha pl a an in man .

“ A n d nt ! h is abri gme W y, he much

” t t n m st men ! s aller ha o exclaimed Dai y,

t n nant n tw s ra her i dig ly, g ivi g ou ard expre s n t f n s fo r th e st t But io o her eeli g fir ime .

t t nt n Fuzzy paid small heed o his i erpolatio .

“ Oh ! who cares what abridgme nt means ? One word does as well as a n

’ t s w w t it n t o her . I dare ay hoever ro e did

” n w t it nt t k ow ha mea ei her .

“ ’ e we eet h e s t t i s Wh n m him, all ha good, kind , and

v ci il, ’ — ” B ut it s said that h e hates us poor girls lik e th e d I

V OL . I I . E 50 D MISS AISY DIMITY .

s t u t t t st s Dai y ho gh ha la vulgar , e pecially

’ as applie d to a ma n like her bro ther s f n ho was—w st entleman ! rie d , w ell , j u a g

But as the Co x girls tittered amazi ngly o it and s to find st s l ver , eemed a mo e pecia

s t n she nt to re reli h herei , merely ve ured m in t n ark , a cool , high o e ,

t t nn t b e t at all nts Well , ha ca o rue , eve .

’ Wh n s n met t n y, eve i ce I came I have Cap ai

s ne s t m s and Ga coig everal i e , he made him

v s elf ery pleasant .

A quick look was i nterchanged be twee n

s the si ters .

“ es — s h e Well , y , dear ; you have becau e

s verv o n to a s nsw like much c mi g , a ered

ss s f w s s t b ut t . Pu y, very o ly, i h clear empha i

But h e goe s o ut so little in Marsto wn s t t t o f s th e t s ocie y ha , cour e, o her girl are d s eadly j ealou .

Fuzz y looked queerly upo n this at her

nt s st b ut st r o n ge le i er, eadily ead ’ ’ so w e t w ve we t w e d And don kno him ry ll, hough

w e like to kno him mor .

s his e D t w t his v e And al o young fri nd imi y, i h oic

’ lik e a lion s roar ;

T e th e B t s his w is h y call him ri i h Lion , for gro l

his t worse than bi e .

’ ’ I f w e t w w t h e is h e d ut us didn kno ha a duck , p ” s poor thing in a fright .

t e n fa d t o et The rhymes er h re , havi g ile g a f m an n t was l n lead ro y divi e poe , p ai ly

t n n the f deteriora i g. Eve praise o Jack

’ could no t lesse n Miss Daisy Dimity s utter

nt t n n secret co emp . Fa cy calli g her manly

brother a d uck !

The versificatio n grew from worse to

worse .

now es b ut M e Who com on aj or Hodg ,

no t sa t t es wit e Oh , do y ha rhym h podg ’ H e s a terribl e flirt

w t is e Oh , ha a funny man Hodg

With quite an added impetu s o f inspira

t n th e w t no w s m to in s io , ri er ee ed rush ver e

at Mr . Lee .

RY C A ‘NO’S , “ 0F ‘LL E lighten 52 MIS S DAISY DIMITY .

N ex t is e tt e S e d ar li l mil r,

T t t e e ha arran b guil r, S o larky and gay, H e wh eedles away

T h e e ts too ss h ar of many a la , A las !

’ Like dancing with him there s no j oy in life

so SP LEN D I D ess h e s sa B e w e Half , unl hould y, my if

Hullo So yo u you ng ladies have got

o f t t f o f n ns n hold ha arrago o e se , have

’ o u ? s n the y aid Jack s voice behi d group ,

’ s ounding ve ry gruflly u nflattering as to their

t n occupa io .

T he Co x girl s started with titteri ng

t s f n o t. u crie , eeli g caugh

H ow ou o t it is t an n w y g more h I k o , w nt o n the n man w t t e you g , i h a ra her “ severe eye ; b ut I hope that no ne o f our fello ws were so weak

no t n not ! n o f Oh , dear, ; cer ai ly No e your regi ment were good - natured enough to d o such a thing as gratify a simple reque st

” o f us n d es to see it nt t , you g la i , , i errup ed MISS DAISY DIMITY . 53

“ d a r s . e no o u Pu sy, acidly Oh , , ; y may

” n t a t r st set your mi d qui e e .

” to it r s nd Glad hear , coolly e po ed Jack

’ who found Pu ssy s temper no t nearly so sweet since he had begu n to pay more un

“ tt nt n t s s n divided a e io s o her i ter . Whe the T H N G was s nt to o ur ss w I e me , I ould — have liked it to be burnt and no mo re n t n B ut s o f the t s w otice ake . ome o her ere

n and n n t I f r t o t t . a her a gry, i cli ed re alia e we had writte n o ur ideas of the M arsto wn

n s and s nt it n t t you g ladie , e rou d , hey migh not have liked seeing them selves desc ribed

t was ne n it b ut ei her . Lee very arly doi g ;

n s n Captain Gascoig e per uaded him ot . He

t n nt n said it would be ra her u ge lema like .

The Cox girl s looked dubious at that ; and i nclined to regret that their feelings had bee n treated with so much co nsidera

’ t n s t n fo r the t io . Dai y s eyes brigh e ed firs time since they had been vexed half an 5 4 MISS DA I SY DIMITY .

a no t to sa sh e hour go . She did like y t t th e s s b ut she d id sa hough ver e vulgar, y,

ft so ly,

“ I think that was very nice Of Captain

s n Ga coig e .

But no o ne r t who hea d her excep Jack ,

n w t t and looked upo her i h a bro herly eye ,

s s r n aid a ide , obse vi gly ,

’ ’ tt o ne r t o t Li le , you e ired . You ve g a

” —I can see it f headache by your ace .

The Cox girls did no t heed this b y - play ;

they were occupied in exclaiming against

’ st t s a nd n t co n Jack s ric ure , declaimi g heir

t ar n r ns . r was th e t y Opi io Whe e harm , hey

w s to n w O f s n n s s O f i hed k o , e di g ome ver es

t he poe ry to t Officers Of a regime nt . They

see n n h e rs d could o e . Perhaps t e ofi e coul

see m in it b ut t n n s ! t har ; , ha k good e s hey

the ss s ind s ( Mi e Co x ) had more innocent m .

“ ‘ ’ Y es to the t n s are ; pure all hi g pure ,

s ss l and f d d her Ob erved Pu y, demure y, ol e

5 6 M MISS DAISY DI ITY . clear to everyo ne that h er suppo sed declara t n n s nt to s io had bee e Maj or Hodge . Dai y looked acro ss at her with a very ki ndly f w- f n f t n n t t h ello eeli g. Jack el i ndig a t ha t e recipie nt O f that lette r had ever le t o ut th e s ecret ; a nd wi th difficul ty refrained fro m d in S s m his eclar g O . He gave o e ve nt to

n n n t ss the Opi io , ever hele , by remark

“ Of all the lo w- n w a nd mi ded , co ardly, co ntemptible people in this world (a nd t ts Of t m in n n t s here are lo he my Opi io , ho e that se nd ano nymou s letters are th e worst

” c urs .

n w ut hi s n s in his Sayi g hich , he p ha d

ts r ns t a nd o t to pocke , a eprehe ible rick g up st a t n t n o ut O f th e w n w w are o hi g, i do , hich

n r his n appare tly elieved mi d .

“ ” w s his tt s st Jack dear, hi pered li le i er,

s n a rm t his a nd tt n pa si g her hrough , pu i g a

“ st n w t an of tn ss if que io i h air ligh e , you w to e t an n n tt ere ever g a o ymous le er, D I M I ' ‘Y MISS DAISY I . 5 7

what should yo u thi nk it be st to do ?

’ D O ut it st t in the , child I d p raigh fire ,

and never tell living soul I had eve n see n

! l s th e t O f the it. Why b es you , very Obj ec perso ns wh o can se nd such thi ngs is to vex

u s n w wa s yo . Nobody hould ever k o I

” t a nnoyed by hem .

s t r s n Dai y ook her e olutio .

s n and w t t n w n Jack had poke , , i hou k o i g it s and he wa s n w s , advi ed her ; early al ay

t . t e ss t was t righ Never hel , her hear ra her

w t s s t n n it and heavy i h uch a ecre lyi g upo ,

’ n s st o t i F o r s o i er Polly t ell t to . ( Jack cou nsel Of secrecy could no t have applied to her . )

S O t sh e t no t to , al hough bravely ried

n and she d id no t n t at mi d , believed mi d , h thin u st s st b - and - b s g p air , ill Jack, y y, aid again in his gruffe st peremptory to ne

“ ’

M rs . o t n w. You ve g a headache, I k o d " o t s st n t to . Cox , order hi ob i a e girl her bed 58 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

Upo n which Daisy was S O e ntreated ; and

w nt d t f and w s t t n f n ss e u i ully ; ith ecre ha k ul e .

Before lyi ng do wn she burnt the scurrilous

tt n t — n it f it was s r li le o e holdi g , be ore h ivel

in the n as she t s t n led , ca dle, migh ome hi g h O f t e vermi n tribe .

t n t ts a Tha do e , her hough became h ppier, reverting to late pleasant scenes ; and se e n

m w O f n s n her drea s ere all gurgli g, ru hi g w t s t s ns n s t s and a er , brigh u hi e, rock , ree , a

all On wn n d in g gp Galloper Do , mi gle de

tf nf s n ligh ul co u io . R CHAPTE IV .

B P ete h e P e to y robbing r paid aul , and hop d

t s eve th e e ve s S ca ch lark if r h a n hould fall .

HEN s was t en the s Dai y ak by Coxe ,

o n n to the n- Su day, garriso chapel , she felt eve n more shy than sh e had ever

n h a do e since s e came to M rstown .

T O n w t t s th e begi i h , hey had pa sed by

- t s and s n ss O f s t barrack ga e , ee a ma carle

wn and the O f t dra up , heard clash a mili ary

n n ba d playi g.

There was really no earthly reason in t t wh she s l f sh t un ha y hou d eel y, al hough us to s s n s and s ts s at ed uch ou d igh , ince,

Elm t wa to t Hall , heir y church lay hrough < 6 0 MIS S DAISY DIMITY .

st n ws . But s n ss pa oral , gree meado hy e , like

t f t s s no t o s n o her emale quali ie , doe g by rea o

ing and poor Daisy felt at such ti mes as if

e t n new n the ns sn s O f very hi g , eve co ciou es

h er new nn t f sh . bo e , made her eel y

They took th e place s assigned them in the

n t n n tt and s nt u pre e di g li le chapel , pre e ly a

s t t t wa s n n and eady ramp , ramp heard eari g,

the s in o ne a s soldier came by door . D i y

did not know any correct terms O f ecclesi

a stical t t so she s it w n archi ec ure , de cribed , he

” wr t n to as the i i g Polly, back door .

s nt st O f the ffi s n Pre e ly , mo O cer came fili g

” in o ne ft n t the f nt as a er a o her by ro door,

sh e n t a d it t it Was th e a ur lly calle , hough

m st and at o ne s t t s alle , Side . Dai y hough — they all looked that is t o say she knew — Jack looked as if they had all go t up

r t n t w nt to and t ea lier ha hey a ed , had bol ed

t f sts and st f t in s t n heir break a , ill el ome hi g D I MISS A SY DIMITY . 61

’ O f h as t f w at t a urry, hey ollo ed each o her s

s t t a nd s in s t heel , clo hed ho ly gloriou ly carle

and o n t t st n n n gold , ha ifli g July mor i g ;

carrying their swo rds wi th an expressio n O f

cou nte nance that an imagi native Ob server

might have fancied to mean : We are all

righteou sly co nsciou s that we would go to

church if we were left to ourselves ; b ut it

is t n t t n and t n s to a qui e a o her hi g, e d ggrava

t n to B G ED to ! io , be O LI come

’ ss D t s st o f t To Mi imi y horror mo hem ,

the at st s t st bachelors , lea , all had ea s ju

n t t A nd she no w f t an behi d heir par y . el

inward horrible co nvictio n that o ne O f her

hair - pins was sticking o ut !

She struggled righ teously within herself

to sa s and n n who was y her prayer , ever mi d

n o r w t was w n w t behi d her , ha ro g i h her

B ut the f n was st back plaits . eeli g ill lurk ing that if Jack saw it (and he had lynx Y 62 MISS DAIS DIMITY . e yes for such superfluiti es in h er attire !) h o w w w at h er t t he ould gro l la er, bro her like

N O it no t in th e t tt t t she , did leas ma er ha

' h L ss the n ad s n M r. ee a ee p up aisle, looki g

f s a s jauntily gay as a pocket editio n O Mar .

N o r yet that Captai n Gascoigne al so had

ene n —w l t his g by, looki g like e l , exac ly like u t f—sh e n n n b ut sual quie sel mi ded o e Jack .

A t st ft ten n t s O f t d la , a er mi u e rouble

n s n n sh e st ago y , ummo i g up her courage , ole

u o ne n t t s t sh p ha d , gave a s eal hy, de pera e pu

to t t w t - in and t n t n ha re ched hair p he , ha k

n s s tt wn to t n good e s, e led do her devo io s h appy .

n t t n t Of The ba d ha played , i s ead a mere

n s as t w o ne a t harmo ium , uch heir heezy

Elm e ss th e Hall , impr ed her very much ;

’ number O f men s VO I ceS j oi ning in the singing

sh e t t fine ff t hough had a e ec .

- w w n the s s By ill luck , ho ever, he p alm

64 I M MISS DA SY DI ITY . t hough o ut O f church no o ne had ever h eard

tt t s to her a emp such a flight . She eemed have an edi fying belief that shrill false note s

’ to o wn s ns O f t n if so added her e e devo io ; , it was o nly gained by subtracting fro m that

f s t th s ns s r O other . Fuzzy ook e re po e unde her s w n and s f n the e pecial i g, , perhap eeli g

t t s O f th e s n n s mar ial a mo phere urrou di g ,

fired the m Off with a sharp brevity most — ad mirable to hear if o nly sh e had not fre

nt w t f t s r tt o ut que ly, i h per ec compo u e, ra led th e w n n s ro g o e .

t n t s w t t n a nd s S ill eve hi , i h pa ie ce per e

f t r verance o t nt n . a e io , could be ove looked

’ They had an admirable ten minute s sermo n f the l t n nt n n two rom mi i ary chaplai , co ai i g

ns s and the n n . j oke , remai der commo se e

A nd no w came round th e collectio n plates .

A good de a l O f spur and sword j i ngli ng

’ could be heard behi nd Daisy s head ; in 5 MISS DAISY DIMITY . 6

“ disti nct murmu rs O f Le nd me were

- t . ve rt ss n b i sil brea hed Ne hele , sou d , g

v n s s w t t if me n no t ered ji gle ho ed ha , do

give in a s many little ch ari tie s as the

s ft sex t w n t d o o er , hey give more he hey

v gi e .

M rs n st n- B wn was nt . Bra di o ro e evide ly surreptitiously feeli ng th e milled edges O f th e s ns in s in f t t she mall coi her pur e , ear ha

migh t carele ssly give away a fourpe nny piece whe n sh e had meant to bestow a

nn M w t o ne . rs s t hreepe y . Cox miled i h superior elegance ; sh e had see n to that at m ho e .

But no w it to the t n Of M rs came ur .

’ wn s ss n Bro e Ble i g .

S O slowly that th e eyes Of all in the

no t b ut t n n t t chapel could ur upo him , ha

s n man w o ut s n ambiguou you g dre a hilli g,

at it t n tt s looked dubiously, he mu ered ome t n to the t hi g collec or .

I I V OL . . 66 M I S S DAISY DIMITY .

tt st st The la er ared agha . B f ut . n th w t an O Mr Higgi bo am , i h air

s n ss b t n his s n t t bu i e deli era io , held hilli g igh in th e n O f o ne n w w t the fi gers ha d , hile i h o ther hand h e began sorting O ut ni nepe nce — in base exchange ! Threepe nce and threepe nce made Sixpe nce t he n in coppers

s ft o ut s n n ht n . A he i ed eve pe ce , eig pe ce — h alt Of a seco nd a doubting gaze with e arnest eye s a nd rou nd u nthi nki ng face t n o ne st and o ut w t an he la poke , came , i h a ir Of t th e wn n nn ! riumph , cro i g pe y

wn d his n Do he chucke Shilli g.

A ll were at first almo st too breathless ly i nterested a nd astoni shed to do more than keep their mouths metaphorically

n Ope .

The young man calmly rolli ng his promi n nt n D h the t to . e eyes , ha ded pla e aisy W ile

i M s n who st t w r . w he ill held , ho ever , Bro e , M 6 MISS DAISY DI ITY . 7

n n n u n th e t Of had bee e deavouri g, d ri g all ime t s nt t ns t n to th e s hi merca ile ra ac io , pluck leeve

O f the f t n t two s u ure baro e ( live removed) ,

’ w s n n s n t n hi peri g, ago i edly, Do , Joh ; give it n n n s in , Joh o ly u happily ucceeded

ff n w A t re aching th e goal Of her e orts o . t s s me nt t f fin hi upreme mo , here ore , her al

’ pluck gave the Ble ssi ng s arm such a shake t t w t n and tt w fle w the ha , i h a ri g a ra le , a ay

ns t and s in f t s coi , grea mall , a per ec large se and w nt r n nt n st e olli g i o every imagi able , mo nu- et- at- nn g able cra y .

I n t n t m n s a rice Mr . Higgi bo ha reli qui hed his hold O f the collectio n- plate ; and there st s who the t s ood poor Dai y, held o her ide

“ ” o f it s n th e n w st s t , blu hi g like mor , hil a or o f i nternal spasm seemed to afllict all those

nt and the n s w no adjace , back be che ere d oubt equally stricke n with co nvul sio ns O f s ss t uppre ed mir h . 8 M Y I 6 ISS DAIS DIM TY .

T h e ths e s e— to t e e w e e sin you look d a id laugh h r r a ,

’ And th e maiden s lips tremble d from smiles shut ” within .

What a situatio n fo r an u nsophi sticated cou ntry d amozel CHAPTER V .

’ Of all th e days that s in th e w eek

I e ve b ut o ne d arly lo day,

’ And that s th e day that comes b etween M A Saturday and onday .

’ F or then I m dressed all in my b est T O walk abroad with Sally ;

S h e i s th e e t darling of my h ar , ” h e And S e lives in our all y .

t t w nd s ! OU did ha very ell i eed , Dai y

’ capitally o nly do n t blu sh so much a n t t m w n o u et s to o her i e , he y g more u ed

” n n the n wn k ocki g mo ey do .

s was f a in O f e Thi rom J ck , a voice de p,

nw n n i ard e j oyme t .

I t was after church ; and all Marstown t n to the o r r t t he repaired Mall, a her a par 70 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

- - w e O f it nick named Prayer book R o . Her t he COX t ft w n par y , a er meekly alki g up — and down some time after chapel looking — as if waiting fo r nobody had bee n j oi ned

wh had t and . t o o by Mr. Lee Mr Dimi y , g o ut O f their u niform and i nto ordinary

n c n s clo thes with amazi g qui k es .

“ fo r o u and fo r n I blushed y , your u be

m n n t in r t t D aisv co i g co duc church , e or ed

her spirit roused .

s fo r us st in Blu hed ruck Smiler Lee ,

t n the n ff ant fo r s f aki g ki d O ice as me him el ,

“ nt i n Y u it to o w t s . o , i h plea a mpude ce did

n t n ss m t n u . o . very icely , he , Mi Di i y Tha k y

’ w to o u no w to it We ll al ays come y , , have

” d n fo r us s st t t —ho ho ! o e by ub i u e , ho , “ n in an s n (The a ide . ) Excuse my laughi g

—d o l b ut if o u n n w ho w , p ease ; y o ly k e — becoming it is when yo u blush ju st the

r t unt o f a nd s t igh amo colour, your eye ligh

H “P

I 72 MISS DAISY DIM TY .

’ t s t nt n to Hermi Walk over here , poi i g a s ome what d eserted a nd quieter portio n o f

“ the and t t o u - d wn o n Mall , ha y looked o

” us frivolou s people here .

“ ! ft n s w t He Why, he O e come here i h m e nt s a n t t , quickly i erpo ed J ck , maki g ha some what loose assertio n with some i nward

s n so it s to who n w him rea o ( eemed Daisy , k e

’ well) a s if not wi shing his friend s appear ance there to be co nsidered si ngular . — The Smiler wh o was really the be st — hearted fe llow in the world rapidly c o n

quered his mo me ntary vexatio n at seei ng th e friend who had so much outsho ne him

n t r e n e t duri g heir memorable id , agai qui ly

’ taki ng up the place be side D ai sy s side which h ad hitherto bee n indisputably his (the

’ Smiler s) .

He did remain i ndeed fo r a fe w minute s

’ n o n s t e n lo ger Dai y s o h r Side , maki g lively s s to n tt nt n o n s f allie e gage her a e io him el . 3 M I ss DAIS Y DIMITY . 7

But o n the t nd s n h ad , o her ha , Ga coig e a steady persevera nce that told in the lo ng run s s his n s t n a n ; be ide , co ver a io required

’ swerin w his a v s n n g, hile g y ri al o ly eeded

a t applause or l ugh er . — — A nd also this he could no t gue ss the littl e dam sel betwee n the m was torme nti ng

s f w th the t t t t n th e her el i hough ha , amo g many M arstown you ng ladies co ntinually passing and re - passi ng them in kaleido scopic

s t th e o ne who group , migh probably be very

w tt n tha t tt f —t n n had ri e le er . There ore hi ki g her digni ty required her to Sho w in public

” t t she was no t nn n ft ha ru i g a er Mr . Smiler

—w t f t nn n o f s ss Lee i h per ec i oce ce purpo e , Mi

Daisy made it p alpable to th e world fo r some time tha t the you ng man was rather a courtier - in- waiting upo n her sovereign

s plea ure .

Thu s she a nd Gascoigne were soo n le ft to

’ a t e s s t e ch o h r ocie y . . o n M ISS DAISY DIMITY .

A nd h o w did yo u like the service this mo rning ? I remember yo u we re looking

” f w to it s s b ut in or ard , he imply a ked ; a w ay that made his companio n feel quite gratified at his havi ng remembered her idl e

t cha .

’ Aft all f it sn t s as if er , doe eem I had

” n in at she n d in bee church all , co fide reply , “ n t n w n with quite a mela choly o e . Bet ee

f n ma n and M rs wne t t . ha dread ul you g , Bro

in fro nt al ways saying her prayers fully six — seconds behi nd everyo ne el se ; and and

” m n s so e o ther thi g .

n w I the t t n s I k o ; could hear o her hi g ,

s m s n n n n nt at the iled Ga coig e , gla ci g sig ifica ly

’ ss x But n t o u t n t t if Co . Mi es do y hi k ha ,

o ne w r t we w not b e ere eally devou , ould

” aware of these small distractio ns P

s n Y u s ut ot . N O o w Perhap . al ay p

t n in th e r t t s t hi gs igh ligh , di mally . (Wha

s f nt n a s the wa u ficie experie ce had D i y, by y, I Y 5 M SS DAISY DIMIT . 7

’ a s to Captain Gascoigne s impartiality o f “ nt ? But o u see it was so judgme ) , y , all

new to me : so very differe nt from goi ng to

n t t t church at home . May o ha b e a littl e

the reaso n why ?

so s sa . I t is Very much , I hould y a

’ re aso n I can t ple ad fo r my freque ntly

wa n n t ts l t w t deri g hough . Wel ; ell me, ha

’ is your church near Elm Hall (isn t that the

” n m a e P) like .

n s w t n n t Whereupo Dai y , i h lovi g mi u e

n ss s t t w t - w s n e , de cribed ha old , hi e a hed Saxo

as it was m to o n church ; proudly clai ed be ,

t he stre ngth o f a b it o f almo st defaced

Ho w carving o n o ne sto ne over th e porch .

it nestled amo ng its elms ; and the rooks

’ cawed arou nd it ; and the farmers wive s

clattered to it in patte ns through winter

w t o r st t t t th e ea her, rolled hi her hrough

w f t st in s . H o w ide , la pa ures ummer her

f t as s - ew a her, quire , had a high , black oak p ' 76 MIS S DA ISY DIMITY .

in the st n w fe s du y cha cel , here he ll a leep, — a nd the preach e r was no ne the wiser al

though declaiming from the pulpit agai nst

s of the f s who a nt ome armer , ppare ly came

’

t to sn t w t th e w . here ore , ired i h eek s labour

“ A nd if t t n s n is it hey do , Cap ai Ga coig e ,

w n ? fo r th e s n is t t much o der ermo all ex ,

a nd a n nt it s aid over over gai . Jack cou ed

o n w n w as st to o ne ce , he he home la , up

n a nd s t - six t s n st as hu dred ix y ime . The , ju

o u r t n it is n w t o ur a y eally hi k do e i h , vic r

‘ s s f n s s o u w l ay , Dear rie d , perhap y ould ike

’ to t t on r hear my ex ce mo e.

Thereupo n Gascoigne laughed ; and im

m edi ately bega n de scribi ng his church a t

home ; no t quite so o ld (bei ng merely Nor

man as t t at Elm b ut ) ha Hall , equally d st and tf n n u y , deligh ully u eve , irregular, a nd n n u n - n lea i g po ivy hid , more moder

tt ss s bu re e .

H o w the monume ntal brasses of his fore MISS DAISY DIMITY . 77

fathers upo n th e floor showed their c rusad

in ts o ne h n his an s g exploi , by avi g kle

ss to d n t n ns n nt cro ed , e o e a Si gle , i ig ifica

exp editio n to th e Holy Land ; whil e ano

t w t his s sh w his her, i h cros ed higher, o ed

ns n e in two b ut th e st co cie ce had r j oiced ; la ,

’ the w O f th e fa s n ts flo er mily k igh , proudly

lay with his cro ssed a t th e k nee ; fo r his

campaigns agai nst Mahomed and the Sara

n n t ce s had bee hree .

’ T h e t s nes are st knigh bo du , And his good sword rust

H is s is w th th e s ts I t st . oul i ain , ru

But no w their plea sant walk a nd talk

nt M rs wh w nt t . o ere i errup ed ge ly by Cox ; ,

— — ’ using it was remark ab le her vou ng guest s

r st n n fo r th e st t as if to Ch i ia ame fir ime , sho w both maternal i ntere st and a sort o f

t s in f s n proprie or hip her be ore Ga coig e, sa id ,

s be n fo r Dai y , my dear (I g your pardo 78 M ISS DAISY DIMITY . int t n o u t n s n let errup i g y , Cap ai Ga coig e) ,

me have th e pleasu re o f i ntroduci ng your

’

t s n to o u . n nn bro her colo el y Colo el Du ,

” t s is m tt e st t hi y li l gue , Miss Dimi y .

Colo nel Dunn was what appeared to

Daisy a charming Old man ; with the fro stie st

O f the r s st o f f s and the w st hair, o ie ace , arme

o f nn s was w n s his ma er . (She ro g a to

s s n a e n s uppo ed ve erable g , bei g mi led by

his w t h b ut t t as to his hi e air, qui e righ

’ tf t l t s n t s deligh ul o her qua i ie . ) You g Dimi y

s t t t w n his plea ed look old ha much , he

colo nel welcomed Daisy mo st paternally as

“ ” the s st f o ne f hi n i er O o s boys . Bei g a

w w two tt w t ido er, he had li le lads i h him

“ who were more literally his boys ; b ut

o nly appo rtionately mo re S O as to th e affe c

t n s to s n o r io he eemed hed over all , you g

O ld s and t t t w t , mall grea , ha ere brough

h f t as if near to im in li e . He alked he

were always in a high wi nd o ne that ble w

80 MISS DAISY DIMITY . li ng boys reminded her o f a stato o she th u t sh e s n s w r o r its o gh had ee ome he e ,

t pic ure .

The Laocoo n ? the Smiler had artfully s s ugge ted .

A nd M rs t rv n t . s t Smee h , Ob e i g ha very

e t t was it sh e was ft w r s lik ly ha , heard a er a d , in n st wn t n s t n the ma y Mar o ga heri g , adop i g

t t his w n n o . ame dme , icked j oy

N ow t n nn h ad so , al hough Colo el Du

’ thoughtfully re signed his claim s upo n Daisy s

tt nt n M rs was s no t to re a e io , . Cox re olved

n s o wn n li qui h her hold upo her charge .

n ne at n t Smili g urba ly a lady ear hem , w t r f n n t n o f and i h a g ace ul i cli a io her head ,

’ laying her fi ngers lightly o n Dai sy s arm

wh o saw s n r n n she ( Ga coig e hove i g ear) , s w t nt st aid i h ge le ha e ,

m d o u st nt My dear, y ear, y mu be i ro

’ d uc ed M rs t n—ia t s to . Lux o your bro her

” r nt n w egime , you k o . Y Y MISS DAIS DIMIT . 81

s was s w t s s fo r the Dai y ome ha di plea ed ,

t s - s n M t n rs . t n Oppor u i y eemed ill cho e , Lux o

being occupied with some o ne el se never

th eless she tried to feel as good - humoured — as po ssible while being trotted forward as if she were a cosset- lamb led by a blue

n—b M rs ribbo y . Cox .

M rs t n was tt n w n . Lux o a pre y you g oma ,

w t f n nn and i h a ra k ma er, a very merry

s light in her eye .

The c orners o f tho se same black eye s now twinkled brightly as she cordially received

the co sset- lamb ; havi ng perceived that vic

’ tim s manner o f approach .

“ we t fr n s I hope shall be grea ie d ,

Mi ss Dimity your brother and I are tre

” mend ous f r n s o u st n w s he ie d , y mu k o ,

“ s w n and wn aid . You are alki g up do , I see : p erhaps yo u will take a turn with

” and t n n to st t me , Fred ( ur i g her ou ,

“ s n w a o f amiable . hu ba d ) ill be very gl d

I I G V OL . . 82 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

t t w M r the n o t ou s. cha ce cha i h y , Cox, I

” s am ure .

M rs w n . Cox , poor oma , murmured

” w s Ah ! ith a ligh t catch o f her breath .

She gave o ne quickly furtive glance at her

f - t s But reproach ul eyed daugh er . She could no t no w prevent Daisy becomi ng more

w M rs t n t n was frie ndly ith . Lux o ha j udged

’ e n tt s f n n st xpedie t . The la er ra k ho e y had dashed aside th e pre tty little cobweb sh e w nt to s f t in t t the tt a ed hold Dai y as , ha la er s no t n in a n t hould be da gerous y quar er .

Up and down accordingly they paced to

t and M rs t n v ge her, Daisy liked . Lux o ery

‘ nd sh e was so honest a musin much i eed ; , g, a nd with a so mething about her mo re c o n ge nial than anyo ne whom Daisy had ye t

I n st n met Mar ow .

Y o u are s n of the s o u a cou i Coxe , are y

” M rs t n d u w not ? . s b t t s Lux o a ke , i h ome d t in oub her voice . 83 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

” I ? — ! no ! s nsw w t Oh Dai y a ered , i h s s and n t t urpri e ; , bei g a ra her me hodical

n h w t t s s n o M rs . mall per o , explai ed ha Cox

’ was o nly her step - mother s seco nd - cou sin B M t st rs . u t n s n r . u o ce emoved , le L x o hould im agine she was u ndervaluing th e co nnec

n h f M r t s e t n to s s s . io , el bou d de cribe al o

’ s t n n s in as n w t t Cox grea ki d e s ki g her, i hou — ever havi ng seen herself no r eve n her step

t fo r n s w t u n mo her lo g year . She d el po this u nex pected good ness no t u nderstand .

’ ing why her companio n s eyes twinkled with

fun t n more ha ever .

But her o wn eyes had been somewhat w n n a deri g.

I t was o nly natural to wo nder what Ca p tain Gascoigne was doi ng ; having remarked that he had no t remained lo ng with their party after being left to th e blandishme nts

O f ss Pu y .

n as if w o f s t in He had go e , eary ocie y G 2 4 8 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

’ r - R o w to the t t P ayer book , quie Hermi s

at its end w n d Walk upper , here he had j oi e two o ther gentlemen o f equally quiet appear

an in s nt ce , a au er . “ — Who is that you are looking at Cap

” t n s n P s M t n s n rs. ai Ga coig e aid Lux o , udde

“ l was w t t a . o u t w o y He i h y a li le hile g , was he no t ? I like him so much ; i ndeed

” w nt t o s to him s f I a peak my el .

S O s n sh e nt to a ayi g, co rived pproach r t n th e n t s as t st d a her ear a chori e , hey rolle to the verge of the debatable land betwixt t nts and r - R o w and n heir hau P ayer book , Sig

h st n ed to t e gentle hermit in que io .

Gascoigne came to her with his very mo st

r s nn s was nn n cou teou ma er . Dai y begi i g no w to be able to co njugate the comparative

f is degrees o h courtesy .

M rs t n t sh e w s artic u . Lux o old him i hed p larly to a sk him to j oin a water - party she

was getting up for the next week . I S D 5 M S AISY DIMITY . 8

Miss Dimity has j u st promised me to

to c ome o .

“ d s t I f M rs . w o o u in s Cox ill , p Dai y ,

dutifully .

s n w h n Ga coig e ould be very appy, looki g really pleased adding he had already accept ed th e same kind i nvitation fro m Captain

Luxto n .

“ Dear me ; did he ask yo u ? How fo r

etful o f ! n o u g me Well , mi d y do come

’ s t n t t s f t Mi s Dimi y, do rouble your el abou

h e is s B - h rs s t . e M . Cox ; ure o come y t wa t n w s B ut I . y, mus be hurryi g home ard — there she is no t five yard s O ff ! D O you

P — mind j oini ng her by yourself O r p er hap s

t n s n s t Cap ai Ga coig e a ked , migh he be

’ permitted to act as Miss Dimity s e scort fo r t t n s st n t an t ha e ormou di a ce . Wi h o her tw n f h e s M rs o r s s . i kle mi chievou eye , Lux ton accordingly departed ; sendi ng her best

to M rs Co x . adieux . Y 8 6 MISS DAIS DIMITY .

tt w t fl urried The la er lady called , i h some s weetne ss a s her stray chick approached in t s st n d ns hi ra ge guar ia hip,

“ M I f d o n w we y dear, am a raid , you k o ,

mus t n s s t n s n be goi g. I uppo e , Cap ai Ga coig e ,

yo u will hardly be coming our way ; so we

” - st sa w t t s t . mu y good bye , i h grea uavi y

“ Let me accompany yo u as far as the e n

” t n to th e a t nts nsw r d ra ce Mall , all eve , a e e

s n w t t b ut f t Ga coig e, i h equal suavi y per ec

cal m and we nt o n be side Daisy accord l ing y.

Who are tho se ge ntleme n yo u were

” w t st no w ? s d s w t t n i h j u a ke Dai y , i h a i ge

us o f j ealo y .

“ Tho se are two o f my greate st frie nd s

” —men in r my egime nt.

“ Your greate st frie nd s But I thought

w t n at no w fo r t t i h a gla ce Jack , j ealous ha f f hum an piece o per ectio n.

as n u G coig e la ghed .

8 DA I I 8 MIS S SY D MITY .

Ho w o u s t ne ? are y , Mi s Silver hor I

” n s f n m have o t ee n you o r a lo g ti e .

But to nt nt th e s , his evide amazeme , ilver h l s n t s f no aired , smal pi s er vouch a ed him answ and w t th e nt st o f st er ; , i h ge le almo

t w d in th e o t impercep ible bo s, looke pposi e d t n w t d nt n t irec io i h ai y dig i y.

I t was almost a cut ; as near o ne as o ld f s n d d n w w her a hio ed goo bree i g ould allo , a t least . “ — ” B J in- o ! n in y g murmured Gascoig e,

l w st n o t n . a , a o ished o e

He reddened sligh tly all over his ki nd f as ft t n ace , he looked a er Miss Silver hor e , w t w and et t n t i h a slo surprise , y a pi yi g, hur e s n if w t n s xpres io , as a eak hi g had repul ed his f n n f t st n n nt rie dli ess . Daisy el mo i dig a f o r . n t n d him The he ur e .

The seco nd Old maid was no w trying to

ss But sh e n t pa through th e stile . had o

’ h er n t n n n elder s dig i y, bei g plai ly ervous or ' 89 MISS DAISY DIMITY . e lse so weak that her fi ngers fou nd it hard

the t - s n to move heavy s ile bar . Ga coig e

t f w r and s n it q uickly s epped or a d , , pu hi g w t his t n n s —w t w t s i h s ro g ha d . aid i h ha Dai y t t the f t n Of s hough per ec io a chivalrou air,

“ f t t I ff n s st I ear ha have o e ded your i er,

s t n t ho w I nn t Mi s Silver hor e , hough ca o

n u n t n imagi e . Will yo o be good e ough to t me w t is the tt s n t ell ha ma er ; i ce, al hough

at m f t I nn t ss grieved y aul , really ca o gue wha t it is

“ ! a a n not n w Oh Ger ld G scoig e , k o

Oh ! d wish r n not ear me, I P ude ce had

n n s is s s n go e o . Thi very di tre si g !

The tiny little w oman looked up in his face tremulou sly ; her hand s likewise trem bled S O much that sh e dropped a reticule co ntai ning her prayer - books and hand ke r c h f ie .

A n s n to s and gai Ga coig e came her uccour, picked them up ; upo n which her silver - grey I 90 M SS DAISY DIMITY . gown and her black lace shawl both no w partook in her state of agitatio n .

“ st s nl ss ou I mo olem y a ure y , Miss

t n not n w—t Silver hor e , I do k o here

“ as n ! N O Oh , dear Gerald G coig e ,

’ n n a ! o u n w— don t I mea o ly de r, dear y k o say that ! Such o ld frie nd s o f yours as a

’ and o f t s to o baby, your dear mo her , , dear

I t st st ss n ! t n me ; is mo di re i g S ill , you g f w l n f as s to P ru olk i l be you g olk, I aid

n n sh e s t t to bombarded de ce , o ly aid ha be with crumbs and thi ngs from a roof was not the co nduct we should have expected from

” u yo .

“ t t was it ? s n Wha Tha cried Ga coig e ,

t r n n But a ligh b eaki g upo him . , Miss

t n n t n to Silver hor e , believe me , I had o hi g d o w t it i h . I

“ s n ! no m Oh , Gerald Ga coig e Say ore a nd the t n nst u w n n i y spi er held p a ar i g ha nd . MISS DAISY DIMITY . 91

’ sa n t w w as Don t y a o her ord . I ill k Pru d n not to n it an e b ut e ce mi d y mor , we saw you on the roof

She rustled away to join her sister ; who awaited her with an air o f ex treme solici t at the s t of an nt w n ude , re ul i ervie requiri g such courage o n the part o f the weaklier

o ne .

s n aft n utt u b Ga coig e , er looki g erly d m f nd for nt or two t n ou ed a mome , he gravely said

s t — o u see ho w mis There , Mi s Dimi y y t k s r s ia t s w r A nd t w a e a i e hi o ld . hey ere

’ o ld f en o f t s who s n ri ds my mo her , have i ce

st s f t f t n S O a m all the lo mo t o heir or u e . I

fo it more sorry r .

M rs was no w f n to n . Cox ou d be looki g

and w t n fo r s o n the t back, ai i g Dai y o her s of the t n- st w t a n air of e ide ur ile, i h mor

’ maternal fu ssiness than the latter s sligh t 9 I D 2 M SS AISY DIMITY .

w n n d elay quite arra ted . The you g people

t t ss o n d as S he had hough le ly hurried ahea ,

n s weetly explai ed .

n his Gascoig e took leave . CHAPTER VI .

Wi th nigh t w e bani sh sorrow ;

OW different it was to w ake at Elm

at f o w in in M ars Hall, home , r m ak g

at s o w s s e Why, home, Dai y c uld al ay le p with her window wide o p en (with o ut f ears o f being warned th at th e p o lice man said it was t t n id n or t m tin u emp i g Prov e ce, e p g b rg

a s h awns t h e sw et . I n t e o l r ) grey, co l d e air at s n to o w s ft in home u ed i deed bl o ly , r st n l n s T h e lurks in th e wn u li g her b i d . la — outside that lawn o n which th e squire had 94 D l M I T Y MISS DAISY . been watching the haymaking whe n o ur — story opened the larks w ere sure to have

“ ” ft t w t n st to nt ft le heir a ery e mou alo .

n b - and - b the sun w s n The , y y, ould be ee

peeping over the summit o f the tall elms at the f t o f the wn t if r t oo la ; hough , you igh ly

ns e it th t was tt co ider d , a pre y high already .

A nd the n w as th e time for universal carol l n and n i g chirpi g.

e th est e st Wak from y n , robin r dbrea

S s eve w ing, bird , in ry furro ; And from each hill let music shrill

G ve e - i my fair lov good morrow .

A nd ft t t t w b e f m r , a er ha , here ould ar ya d n s s t t in the n n st n ss oi e , ha early mor i g ill e

s a t the could be ea ily he rd , hough shrub

h s nt n : th e w n o f ws erie did i erve e lo i g co ,

th e mor ning qu arrel s and cro ws of poultry — most deligh tful of all that strange st

s n n of n t n t t ou di g bar door jubilees, elli g ha

’ ’ s ome o f Miss Daisy s o r Miss Polly s many

96 MISS DAISY DIMITY . t the n t n w the hrough commu ica i g door, hich sisters always left ajar th e last thing at n t t t t t t co nve ni igh , ha hey migh alk more e ntly whe n they ought to have bee n asleep .

if as r a n s Or , more arely h ppe ed , Dai y

n to t w sh e w r e cha ced be firs a ake , ould ous her sleeping sister in the spirit o f o ld

Herrick

G et et u S e T h e n up, g p, for ham blooming mor

h er w ese ts th e s Upon ing pr n god un horn .

S ee h ow u t ws h er A rora hro fair, F resh - quilte d colours through th e air !

G et sweet s u - a - b ed see up , l g , and h d T e ew b espangling h erb and tree .

S O up the se two matinal little girls would

‘ r s and n d ss n in nt i e , begi re i g a viole hurry , as if afraid that otherwise th e y would cer

inl fa s A ta . t st s w s y ll a leep lea , Dai y al ay d id so ; b y- and o b y d ro wsiness would make h er n to w so t t t begi da dle, ha each ime She s ft t th e to o ly called hrough door Polly ,

“ ” Wh at are you abou t ? it al ways co st h er MISS DAISY DIMITY . 97

n fo r n was s to sa a pa g, imble Polly ure y, “ ” n n f the t n s Curli g my hair, lo g be ore o g

’ o n s w s ss n - t her plump , lo er elder dre i g able

s e n the t n tt e had e hea i g flame . Wicked li l

s sa t s to t the s ft girl , you may y, hu ouzle o ,

w l s t th b ut t n yello ock Na ure gave em he , theirs were just the faces to look so much

tt e w t t s f s n pre i r i h hi a hio .

But at l ast bo th would have dressed and

a a nd n ts t t t n pr yed bee ou ide oge her, rippi g over the dewy meado ws o r through the f s - s e n ns w th e s s re h m lli g garde , here ro e w ne w - w s and w n w t ere ly a hed aki g, hile hey heard

T h e o o n s e w . cuckoo, l ud om high la n

A nd t w sa to t w th hey ould y each o her, i a w s f s s as if t n l ay re h plea ure , hey had ever — “ said it before I s it no t delightful to be o ut in the morni ng early ?

Aft t s t w n tt er hi , here ere a hu dred li le duties to perform ; th e eggs to be gathered ;

V L H O . II . 98 MISS DAISY DIMITY . the variou s clutches o f chickens to be counted and fed ; li ttle clucking colo nies to

s ft w t t t s be hi ed bodily, i h heir mo her , hou e , and s of n w - ia sn a quare yard oble, ired deme e ,

r n s to fre sh vi gi oil .

n a f r s The c me amily p ayer , read daily by the good squire in a hearty gabble which n n st n s n n obody could u der a d ; i ce , ever h v n n t t t n in his t a i g bee augh elocu io you h , his manner o f delivery was to take a tre

me nd o usly long breath before every two o r

three verse s : and the n utter these with all th w n n h f e ords tumbli g o t e to p o each other .

Aft w h w s s a nd er hic he al ay made a pau e, l in fr s st f aid a e h ock o air .

B ut the s n s to t s hou ehold , bei g u ed hi , al ways followed at a le ss break - neck pace w t t o wn s and th e st s i h heir book , elder Si er kept the tribe O f Gad to order and att nt n e io .

T he t ss n n ft ribal le o s came o a er breakfast.

1 00 MIS S DAISY DIMITY .

s w w nt an s n lilie . Or Slug ould a ea y ca ter

n th e s f h alo g hady Side o t e meadows .

n n n and the t m ft Lu cheo do e , Sleepy i e a er

st t th e s t- and fat exi ed hrough , ba ke carriage

n t r n f r M rs t to po y migh come ou d o . Dimi y

be driven by o ne O f her willing little step

’ daugh ters to see the vicar s wife th e ge ntl e b ut incapable step - mo ther being frighte ned

at n the re ns s f o f n th e holdi g i , her el , eve

st f ns s t w b e dulle o Dobbi . Or el e hey ould

d rive n by th e old coachman in the b ig car

ria e w t the o f fat s s to g , i h pair hor e , pay

ft n n o n t t st nt fe w a er oo calls heir ra her di a , ,

and s n s leepy eighbour .

Although respecting th e latter ver y much

and s n t the t s lwa s eei g hem seldom , Dimi ie a y

“ ” s Let us t w o ut w t aid , hope hey ill be , i h

as ferve nt unctio n as would people hurryi ng

through a Lo ndo n seaso n ; feeling certain

that the first i nstinct o f many of their neigh

bours would be to hide behind the laurel 1 MISS DAISY DIMITY . 0 1

s s t t to o the bu he , al hough hey , , really liked

t s Dimi ie .

Faili ng these efforts at participati ng in

M rs t s s t w t a s t as . g y ocie y, Dimi y per i ed , i h

st n in e n t —t meek ob i acy, r gardi g hem here

v s t wa s th e illage to vi i .

s was o f t tt t Thi a c m or able li le hamle , c o nsisting o f abou t hal f a doze n scattered

tta s as sn as the n t d co ge , all ug could be , u i e hou sehold s o f which po sse ssed betwee n the m all o nly two sick a nd o ne very aged in

t n s tt the two tt m t habi a t . The e la er li le Di i y s isters co nscie ntiou sly visited very Ofte n

n n tt s ts o f ss n s i deed , carryi g li le ba ke ble i g ,

O ld t and new nn t a n por , fla el ; al hough a cid - minded perso n might have said with t t t t t s fts w ru h ha he e gi ere really luxuries ,

no t being positi vely wanted ; and that millio ns o f n n wn n s n m far u k o bei g eeded the more .

n the sun w n to s n a nd The ould begi i k , a

s e nse o f good re st after good labour to ste al 1 02 MISS DAI SY DIMITY .

- over the happily tired earth and its workers .

“ T h e eve es th e fie is st . ning com , ld ill

D ese te is th e - w r d half mo n plain ,

Silent th e swaths ! th e ringing wain .

Y es it t in the nt it , migh be dull cou ry ; was t b ut who sa it was not quie , could y

in the n s - t who at happy j ocu d ummer ime , ,

st t t was a s f a nd n a nd lea , ha resh , you g, happy - hearted as Daisy Dimity a nd her hardly full - gro wn Sister ?

The good squire would no d i ndoors after his t nn Hi tn . s hear y di er meek par er , dread in w w ar f t o ut th e s ft g de s, ould c e ully Shu o night- airs by clo si ng the drawing- roo m w n ws t t a nd n wn the n s i do igh , pulli g do bli d ;

’ calling th e dusk bli nd man s holiday ; and ringing at the earliest mome nt fo r a double

n tt n r u t n r bur er lamp . Si i g p imly prigh u de t s o n lo w b ut v r st ff- d hi a e y i backe chair,

M rs t u n t S O n . Dimi y wo ld igh ly have ma y

M I I’ ‘ 1 04 MISS DAISY D I Y .

m on t t w re o l cl n I n o ligh hey ould be, j g all

’ th e summer s beauty that abides in o ur cool

tt s s s t s w li le i le o hor a pace . They ould be liste ni ng to th e nightingales which sing in

R o alshire o r tt n t t u happy y , cha i g oge her p and d wn n the r s - t s s o r the o amo g o e relli e ,

o r the s o f th e pleached alley , by border s w and sl leepy ood eepy river .

A nd w t t find to t t ha hey could alk abou , s n t s w r so and s eei g heir live e e Simple ame , it would be hard to say But theirs were

t s n s and at sw t heal hy , harmle s j ocu d live , ee

tt s u seve ntee n a li le make s laugh .

’ ve iovent il e Oh, prima ra g d ll anno ” ve tu ve e v t ! Oh , gio n , prima ra d lla i a

Well ! and h o w did Daisy wake in Mars town

st no w t n n s nts o f n n Fir , s ee mor i g ce mig o

e tt or to t w n s e hay salu e a aki g e nse s .

’ nst o f the s sw t lay far o n I ead lark ee ,

in the sk f st w in high y, came up rom ju belo 1 0 MISS DAISY DIMITY . 5

“ th e street th e cry o f Umb erell - a hs to

s s r t t n mend in alway hoar er ei era io .

A s to s th e s n wn prayer , girl ever came do

M rs t m to t so . hem , poor Cox read he aloud

’ fo r s s n t and w n she no Dai y be efi , he had

t f st s t o s . gue , pre umably read hem her el

But it was always precisely at prayer - time t t the - n the G n ss ha barrel orga , or erma bra

n w l s t o st s ba d , ou d choo e rike up ome ear s h w n w pli tting valse exactly oppo site t e i do .

The Cox girls made no prete nce any lo nger o f comi ng down in time fo r break f st b ut t t n s no w w t a ; , rea i g Dai y i h real c n n as o ne o f t s ft to o fide ce hemselve , le her

’ be their mother s o nly matuti nal com

n n pa io .

ft w s—w we n w ho w s A er ard ell , k o Dai y hitherto spe nt mo st o f her time ; b ut a c o nfide ntial le tter to Polly may tell of some s n n t ts t n ft in the mall remai i g hough hereo , le c a nn s O f n r ie her mi d . 1 06 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

(P riva te I

’ D A R L N G — n t s w t to I POLLY , Do ho his

’ n s t I n t n a ybody el e , hough ve o hi g very

w t particular to ri e .

“ I got up quite early to have a chat w u I t is h to et an ith yo . very hard ere g y time to myself ; fo r the Cox girl s always

w n si wn t r r w scold me he I t do o ead o rite .

The n all morning other girl s run in and o ut s t n a nd t n nt n vi i i g, a grea ma y ge leme

- come at tea ti me .

“ ! o n n n t I was Oh my dear, Su day igh

S r nt i O mo tified . We we to the cathedral n

the n n w I w n eve i g, hich ould have e joyed

S O b ut t t and ever much , ha Maj or Hodge

. n w t us and w Mr Jo es came i h , ould keep

whi spering and laughi ng so much with

Fuzzy and Pussy that the service was quite

s t poil . “ o f s w s w t a too . Jack, cour e, i h us

M rs Co x . made ever so many excuse s

1 08 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

‘ ’ nt e m n n s fo r fo r ge l e had bee a ked me , I

m st fancI e d a But al o he looked t me .

n d w n t I an t w M rs. Co x i deed came e i h , a nd n n l olced a ever eve o t them .

A nd fte s t t n t a r upper ha igh , Maj or

Hodge actually tried to pay me atte ntio n

(which I thought very horrid o f him I put him O ff fo r o ur is so f n O f , poor Fuzzy o d

d s s him and looke o j ealou .

“ n the t fo r in I deed , Old doc or helped ; the n n s at if an nt n eve i g home , y ge leme

in w s m s t f s t come , he al ay ake a grea u s abou

‘ s and a ! o r me ; come s ys, Ah Charmer,

t we no t met all the no w Beau y, have day, le t a n o ld man have a little chance o f a

’ t n ts in n and alk The he pu me a cor er, sits in fro nt staring at me with his funny r n f and b i s n s ou d ace g eye , admiri g my arm , o r o r f t t am t n f t hair, ee , ill I qui e u com or

’ and n t n w w t to sa s able do k o ha y. Or el e he asks me to play draughts o r back MISS DAISY DIMITY . 1 09

n s n t is n gammo , ayi g here obody he ever

n w f s it liked playi g ith so much . O cour e is very nice he like s me so much ; s till — quite betwee n ourselve s h e is rather a

s nt I a m f fo r w n plea a Old humbug, a raid , he no st n s t st s to s ra ger are here , he ju goe leep

a nd f ts t orge all abou me .

Papa se nt me a kind message to bring

th e s if t to st as back Cox girl , hey liked , ay

t s f r t s t n as o . lo g hey cho e , a quie vi i

“ But w n I t t t s he old hem , hey eemed

very doubtful ; havi ng fou nd o ut that th e

o nly u nmarried ge ntleman near Elm Hall is

the t a nd t t h as t n vo w o f cura e , ha he ake a

’ n t s it - ss it t a (ca pell Pu y called , perpe u l

’ selfishness - t t nst co m , hey qui e decided agai

nt ing till we have o ur hu nt ball next wi er .

s to see it Fuzzy aid me, You , dear,

’ w h a wa o time ould be suc ste f . You may

t n t t r o f b ut it was hi k ha ho rid her, very

h n st w s s s the w st o e . She really al ay ay or 1 1 0 MISS DAISY DIMITY . o f s f and is st n and her el , mo ki d good n atured . “ n d th ev n to t t to I dee , all mea be ha ward s me ; b ut it is no t quite S O hearty and

s n in the t two s st s t n . i cere o her i er , I hi k

Birdie is Often very ill - tempered with the

sh h h n r st e is t e t . e , because spoil child T e sh e rushe s to throw her arms rou nd my — — neck and kisse s me saying sh e is very l m n t b ut w n S O an . augh y, il ever do y ore I

’ sincerely wish sh e would no t ; fo r I can t

t e no w in r nt n a nd qui e b lieve her epe a ce ,

’ do n t want her apologies .

Y ou ask w I t t n hich like bes , Cap ai d h w n o r . o Gascoig e Mr Lee . Dear chil , c an I tell you ; they are so differe nt ! Of course you would like Captain Gascoigne

s — is no t t be t there doubt abou hat . He is not w t o u w f s and ha y ould call rivolou ,

no o ne o n earth could help respecting

A nd t n is s h him very much . he he uc

1 1 2 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

i t w t t n ? I t see n t . Wha ould hey hi k m annoyed me very uch .

—I n tt n Ope ed my le er, bei g afraid that my l ast secret may make yo u

n s to n t t I t 1 3 ft r f st u ea y, co fide ha a er b eak a now and u so t t it , Jack came p, I hough r t him w t n I t ight to ell ha I had see . t t o f n af ook a grea deal courage , bei g raid he would think me interfering ; so I first begged his pardo n before he k new what it was t n n o f the s abou . (Luckily, o e girl

t f - s et it were o u o their bed room y . ) I said made me quite afraid he was engaged ; and o f t u and w course , ho gh Polly I ould be fo nd o f anyo ne he cho se still I did hope

w it But all he would think ell over . he

was to n and o o ff nto did pi ch my ear, g i

’ o ne of tho se great yell s o f laughter that we

wa s t n are t l are al y elli g him qui e vu gar .

st t t t t n s o s . He aid , Oh , I mu ell ha Ga coig e

’ n st a t t n in s Gascoig e mu he r ha . The ailed MISS DAISY DIMITY . 1 1 3

M rs . to n w w t we w u n Cox , k o ha ere la ghi g

d n t t . w an e abou (Someho , Jack I ever g

n t l B w n he n . ut saw a mi u e a o e ) , he I

e st ss d a nd n m look d di re e , he came pi ched y

t e w s n r t tt o ne o h r ear, hi peri g, All igh , li le ,

’ do n t yo u be afraid ; I can se e thro ugh a

- st n as w as st e t A nd mile o e ell mo people y .

t f m t t o ne you may ell Polly, ro me , ha

‘ sister is quite enough pl ague fo r each o f

e t w in n n you y a hile , my opi io

“ a I t is r t ss n to There , de r a g ea ble i g t n o f t t sn t it ? hi k ha , i “ t w s a t t n For o her i e, l hough I do hi k

’ a ou htn t to it n w d o w J ck g , ever ould , ould it ?

s n Your agai ,

D . D .

V OL . H A P T ER VI I C .

" A nd trust me e ! - ev , d ar good humour can pr ail

e s ts s e s s Wh n air and fligh and cr am and colding fail . B eauti es in vain their pretty eyes may roll

s st e th e S t b ut e t w s th e s . Charm rik igh , m ri in oul

HA T ! stuff th e bodice with sawdust

t fine r i o make a figu e o f t. Lo ve

l ! at n s o u y idea Wh a clever, a gelic Dai y y

” a re to have such a grand idea ! “ n s Co x I it I deed Well , Mi s , call a

s r w the hideou , hor ible idea , gro led deep

of t as unanno unced . he voice Jack Dimi y , , ,

’ e ntered the Miss Coxes muddle - room “ H w n m d n w s . e u a are ( had , ho ever, bee a e

” free o f that retreat o n the strength o f his

t ns t s rela io hip o Dai y . )

1 1 6 MISS DAI SY DIMITY .

But stuff myself with sawdu st ! th at

t — h a w dea l to o . ould be a much , Mr Dimi y

’ w n I f u ! N o don t . o ha , Birdie , pi ch me y

’ ’ n t un s f t t s no r as n ca make a p your el , ha e o why yo u Should al ways try to stop every

o ne el s e .

w s w ts w no t S O n For Birdie , ho e i ere kee

as t s o f two s b ut who alwa vs ho e her elder ,

to f t t wa of liked be oremos , had a smar y

t s ss rt n w s o f r r hu a e i g her po er bodily aille y,

o r of stifling her sisters with a sofa - cushio n

t e no t it b ut st n s w s h y did like , ra ger al ay

g lau hed .

“ I n w nt n d u t at k o co i ue F zzy, ela ed

’ havi ng triumphantly dodged her you nger s

’ tt and s to s s tt n a ack , plea ed ecure Jack a e

t n fo r n I n w t t tha t ss io o ce , do k o ha Mi

fo r nst n w s o u Black , i a ce , ho e figure all y

men S O is w t admire much , all made up i h

what do you thinlc

“ ! hu— S h d m Oh , Fuzzy ear, urmured 1 1 MISS DAISY DIMITY . 7

a s r t s n s . st D i y, a her ca dali ed Jack, j u look

” ur f t nt S O s n here at o u ure Au Sally . ayi g

u st t n t t She held p a ou holla d bodice , igh ly

u w e t at the n closed p every here exc p eck , w the s w st was to ut in here a du be p . This was o wn n nt n and it her i ve io , She eyed w t t i t st n m as a n i h pride, hough ill hu g li p e t n mp y balloo .

n s s o f th e f s The aid ome emale voice ,

” B ut ho w o n earth is it to be mou nted P

T wo -st s o r the s ts o f broom ick , uppor a

” c t - t tt who lo hes rail , promp ly u ered Jack ,

prided him self o n a taste fo r practical “ I ’ m e nt n a nd n n s . carp eri g, loved drivi g ail

” man your .

l r His help was accepted with j oyful a ac itv.

Everyo ne no w had a surfeit o f sugge stions ff to and the s n th e t . O er , all cook bega bro h

w the hit of th e Fuzzy, ho ever, made day by

rememberi ng that their parlour- maid was a

perfect virgin mi ne o f po ssibilitie s in the 1 1 8 D I M I ’ ‘Y MISS DAISY I .

w a o f t s - s and w st s n she y clo he rail sa du , i ce

’ had a n admire r wh o kept a carp e nter s sho p in a k st e t t th a b c re hard by . Thi her e de

m was a r n n ure damsel cco di gly se t tripping.

f n she t n s n n Be ore lo g re ur ed mili g, lade with spoil s ; whilst Jack was still ferreti ng

’ grimily in the doctor s tiny cellar fo r cob

w d r n o f w n L- b o x es the n ebbe emai s i e , o ly

s t in the s t nt pare imber hou e , excep Brya

’ and s m t s as t May a che , Fuzzy old him .

n h o w t set to w l ne w The hey ork , ike

ms w t w l broo , i h a i l

Ho w Jack hacked and sawed with an

old rusty pocket- k nife a nd a broken carvi ng

n f the n t s t t o f n k i e , o ly ool ha c uld be ou d ,

a nd w t t m t rn t nt quarrelled i h he al e a ely, gru

ing to himself H o w the re st d ribbled the

s w st nt t n s and n a du i o heir holla d ca e, k eaded

and pou nded down in turns till their fi ngers

w s Ho w as t n t o the ere ore , hey adva ced

S o - w st o f t t fe called ai heir dummy, hey ll

1 20 MIS S DAISY DIMITY .

I was o nly telling your sister about

ss B and ss n fo r th e Mi lack , her pa io Smiler w is nt t n his fo r hich evide ly more ha her,

t n w ligh ly a s ered Fuzzy .

Humph ; the l e ss Dai sy k no ws o f that

n s n in my n n th e t t you g per o , Opi io , be er, bluntly u ttered th e carpe nter ; who had j u st succeeded in reducing th e extremitie s of his c t s - to n n t and no w w t lo he rail huma le g h , , i h

nts and sf was w n gru much di avour, he i g a

n st n o f his t st n rou d a d by help ru y, ma y

n fe o ut o f an o ld M s n bladed k i , ar ala packi g

’ c s I n t ss . a e . do call Mi Black a lady

She trie s to talk o n th e Mall with a ny o ffi

c s sh e ts t she n sa w t m er mee , hough ever he

f nd h A s e n e . ut be ore . i v igled Mr Lee o in

t and t n u s t t she her boa , he p e him , hough

he a s f c an ro w r t w w n s . O igh ell , he ple se

c s she nt to s f our e , mea him ave her rom a

w t w th nt n n b ut a ery grave , i a roma ic e di g ; ,

for sh e f n s f n n luckily him , ou d her el cli gi g MISS DAISY DIMITY . 1 2]

’ to s who was snufl t her pre erver, a y old boa man t fi tha had shed her o ut. Poor Lee

’ c n t sw w so was n wn a im ell , he early dro ed .

’ s as s s no t t t Be ides , he par icularly par icular

e rs f she is w s t n to s t h el , al ay ryi g accu e o her

” s girl .

“ d oes sh e ! w t s she sa No Oh , ha doe y o f us ? asked all the Co x sisters in o ne breath .

But st n ho w n a Ma er Jack , perceivi g e r

n s t n was r s nt t n i di cre io he , elap ed i o re ice ce o nly remarki ng

’

tt . s w n t No ma er Dai y , remember, I o

” u n have yo k ow her .

But Daisy no w k new e nough ; she was almo st certai n no w who had se nt her that

- t h r s n n n n n s t . or ible , poi o ra kli g, a o ymou le er

st t n M rs nt d the Ju he . Cox e ere room ; a

' thing sh e hardly ever did whe n o ne o f th e e special ge ntle me n frie nd s of h er daughters we e t r here . 1 22 MISS DA ISY DIMITY .

Which o f yo u girl s will go to the

t fo r ? sh e s i n lo w n marke me aid a , a xi

o us voice .

O ne o f th e t wo t tt s - s quie li le chool boy ,

whom nobody b ut their mo ther and the

s nts ve s to rd w as nw erva e r eemed rega , u ell

t t n n and t at ha mor i g, kep home . He had

eate n to o much sue t- dumpling in the kitche n

the o nly pla ce in the ho use where the se two

little come - to o - late s wer e free to mak e a

noise . The mo ther did no t like to leave

e him th e s rvants had no time to go o ut .

“ D o B — o u o m fo r , irdie do y g , y child

Y u are n . o n t n see and me doi g o hi g, I ,

M rs C x n . o s f fo r s e , heari g her el called om

o f the mul tifariou s hou sehold duties that s he s f w olely ulfilled , glided a ay .

“ Y d o es o . s , g , Birdie We are all bu y

” t o u s st s excep y , cried her i er .

I n t t t t n st s x wh o ru h , ha you ge Mi s Co

t w r ft nn n the s w st ha ed all o k , a er begi i g a du

D 1 24 MISS AISY DIMITY .

ss no w to n s st remarked Pu y , her you ger i er,

“ ’ t F r with a de ermined eye . o I WON T

’ stand it ; and perhap s yo u do n t want your

” s f s f — n n at el expo ed be ore him , (gla ci g

tt as s saw w t t J a . ck The la er, Dai y i h regre , h ad o ne fo r t t was ss n al eye all ha pa i g, tho ugh o ste nsibly hard at work creating his woode n skeleto n ; and he had su spiciou sly

b egu n to hum a tu ne . )

The aggrieved o ne we nt o n in i ncreasi ng

n a ger .

“ ’ n t o u n w s t t n Do y k o , mi s, ha ever si ce I

h ad fever last year pap a said I was not to

ut in t fo r it was so fo r be p a emper , bad

‘ me A nd w in t n w . I ill be a emper o ; I

w —and it is f t and so s ill all your aul , I hall

go and tell him

She seemed resolved to execute her threat ;

fo r at o nce tearing her handkerchief do wn

t he she b it it and t d w t middle , s ampe , i h

s ss at tears filling her eye . Pu y looked her MISS DAISY DIMITY . 1 25

tt n f as u erly u moved ; Fuzzy , dread ully ham

ut f the B t to o o . ut ed , ried coax her room

o ut ss Jack called , carele ly,

“ sa D s no t o to the I y, ai y, could you g

’ M rs o x ? r s m arket fo r . C You e uch a

o ld s n regular hou ekeeper , obody could do i tt and th e st s t be er ; re are bu y .

s n s t n a n a nd the Dai y had bee bu ier ha y,

se nt n B mo st plea d with her o wn i nve io . ut

she nst nt a w t t s i a ly greed , i h a brigh mile ; and ran o ut o f th e room like a good - hu

e b ut t f t n tt t mour d , ra her righ e ed , li le rabbi ,

s f th t s glad t o e cape rom e la e cene .

s n m tt s : so ft an nw d Thi cha ged a er , a er i ar st s n as the o ne of the ruggle, Pu sy j oi ed her, two s who st s d elder could be be pare .

w th e wa to the t she Ho ever, all y marke

’ relieved her mind by hanging o n Daisy s

a rm st aff t n t and t n in mo ec io a ely , de aili g,

w n t n s t t the se eepi g o e , all ha hou hold had

’ to e ndure from Birdie s ill - humours ; above ] 26 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

to w t tr s o wn n t all , ha ial her a gelic emper

was t n n h was p ut. She a quie e ough la guis in l s f b ut s n in g gir her el , bore grudge lo g her heart ; and seemed to have such a

t s fa o f n to ff to s t smoo h ur ce mi d o er ocie y, that o ne seemed never to get a good mental

f w t sh e was r grip o ha eally like .

However, D aisv did her be st under th e c ircum stances : co nsoled and e ncouraged

n s fe w w o f n her . She o ly aid a ords plai ,

direct sympathy ; b ut a great many that

w a and f n t at st ere g y rie dly ; ill, la , Pussy

tt w t w t of s n t t n u ered , i h more arm h i ceri y ha

was s w t h er u ual i h ,

“ Well ; I must say yo u are a good little

t n f e tt f r n hi g. You make me e l be er o bei g

” W 1th you .

m t was w w t f t and The arke cro ded i h rui ,

at o ne of the st s t a f n all hey c me ull upo Mr .

J n s t n s o e , ea i g early plum .

“ s ? st s in an Have ome he olidly a ked ,

1 28 MISS DAISY DIMIT Y .

ar t w s as n d c ried ; o her i e , She ope ly sai ,

“ Tho se market- wome n always se nt short

” and n measure . She her cavalier bega

’ chafierin r n at th e st s in g, acco di gly, all all

ss n o r r t ss a at succe io ; a her, Pu y h ggled e w s ff r n f- nn ss th n ach , al ay o e i g a hal pe y le a the last price to which bargaining could

s n reduce them . Pus y had a quiet passio f r n n o bargai i g.

A t last Daisy could see that eve n th e

’ nf tu t wa n was w n s f t s i a a ed s i gro i g ick o hi .

Poor soul although good - humou red to th e

’ s n o f his t t s had m n s very cor de rac or , he a a

’ d s o f s s n s and to s i like uch mall deali g , Daisy

sh e saw s h n e horror, him lily old up a Sixpe c

’ n ss t o the r t- w n s behi d Mi Cox , ma ke oma gaze .

“ ’ — t m to s Oh , come you ll give he uch a

” tt n y nt s pre y you g lady, he cheeril i erpo ed , w t ffaw i h a gu .

w n m n e wa and w t The oma , s ili g, gav y ; i h MISS DAISY DIMITY . 1 29 tr ss o ff n iumph Pu y marched , beari g her

pea se ineffe ctuallv covered wi th a scrap o f

wn a to t f th e bro p per, hide hem rom public

a s at t t h st t b i g ze . Dai y , ha , a ily bough a g

s of n n tt a nd r s s w t po y mig o e e o ebud , i h which she tried to screen th e obtrusive pod s

f s s es that offe nded her a tidiou ey .

“ ’ is a t n O D o no h ue n There C p ai g , sudde ly cried o ut Pussy ; poi nti ng to an alley which

, was t c ut t th e ark t and a Shor hrough m e ,

“ f n s rr and s m t . uch reque ed Dai y, hu y peak

” t o him .

“ ’ h t n d n t B ut t e la ter hu g back . I o like

” to n I n w so s t . , i deed ; k o him ligh ly

“ Little goo se ! Y o u k no w him twice as

’ d n e w t th e man w l as I . a el do You ve c d i h ,

’ t W a nd I ve hardly spoke n o him . ( hich

“ was st t t s s I ric ly rue . ) Well , I uppo e

’ m st m s f f r a t n O D o n—o u go y el o you . C p ai — ghue and off started Pu ssy o n a smart

s cha e .

I I . V OL . Y 1 30 MISS DAIS DIMITY .

ut was nt nt n n The Bea y ge ly sau eri g alo g, seemi ng to disapprove o f th e fish and

’ butcher s meat smell s that came betwixt the

” t was nt wi nd and his nobili y . He evide ly t n n o f n t n t s n his hi ki g o hi g, al hough cares i g lo ng blo nd e m o u stache s with an air o f t tf n ss w n h e was t s s d n hough ul e , he hu u de ly

ss and n boarded by Mi Cox take n i to w .

Being brough t back to Dai sy like a noble

t h e s n tt sw t cap ive , miled upo her u erly ee ly ; and n t t the tt s l , seei g ha li le dam e looked

t t n the t s n n to imid , ur ed able by soo seemi g

s t h e was th e nt n a sume tha ge le co queror . — What you are leaving the market j ust

no w ? t n le t t r o f Well , he , me ake ca e you

through all th e dangers o f the mazy streets — — ’ and fearful cro ssings eh ? A w wo n t

yo u ?

“ I t no t in the st n ss t n is lea ece ary, ha k

you ; Miss Cox and I can very wel l take

a of t c re each o her home, coldly replied

1 32 MISS DAISY DIMITY . no w fo r t his tt , he could ell by li le com

’ panion s last to ne o f Sincere e ntreaty that sh e really did no t wish to have been th rust thu s

n his s t upo ocie y .

“ Let st o w t ou t l we t me j u g i h y , il ca ch t u t n I w l sa o n n hem p ; he il y go d mor i g,

” s t Mi s Dimi y .

A es ! t was s w t r h , y Tha aid i h a eally

’ t - t r n a t n O D ono h ue rue me alled i g, C p ai g ;

t it was s t n n F r the s ill easier aid ha do e . o couple in fro nt were positively raci ng to — ke e p ahead a nd a guffaw that came back f m n s s w ns ro Mr . Jo e ho ed they co idered th e

tt t ma er a capi al j oke .

’ ts the t t was a erfect Ou ide marke , here p n tw o f s st ts n t s s e ork mall ree , ma y qui e lum .

This was not the direct way back for the

’ o un s as s s n n y y g ladie , Dai y compa io ver

w s s s nt But w n o t . ell k e , he u pec ed a pla

s s n f n was so unacc us poor Dai y, he oo ou d , to med to n n wa in an t wn t t fi di g her y y o , ha MISS DAISY DIMITY . 1 38

’ she was as i nnocent o f the others guile a nd

a st as ss as ne w- n lmo helple a bor babe .

The fugitives had ju st rou nded a corner

s fe w s n s f the t s But ome eco d be ore o her .

o n n no t t o f t was to comi g up , a race hem

s n t nt n s be ee ; hey had appare ly va i hed .

“ n wn t s They may have go e do hi alley .

t is n t n n No Well , here a o her ope i g ;

” us tr t l e t y tha .

n A t st in t s . t No agai la came u er de pair,

a re t n ? ta n Where hey go e Oh , Cap i

’ ’ O D o no h ue t n t f r tt n a nd g , hey ca have o go e left me to go back alo ne with you ; th at

” would be to o u nkind o f them 1 “ B es it w s . ut Well , y , ould be a hame

’ I m afraid that is precisely what they have

” d n ss t s w n w o e , Mi Dimi y, lo ly a s ered her

' c a - t t n tw n th e ti o f his re aker, pi yi gly ; irli g p right apology fo r a whisker . — ” What forgotte n me P — Well if they have forgotte n o r no t 1 84 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

tt s s it ? n hardly ma er , doe They have give us the s n wa — ? But sa — aw lip , a y y eh I y

’ do n t look so treme ndou sly vexed please

’ ’ d n t — n w se e u . o I o o Look here come , ll y

th e w wa t s f u n m back hole y qui e a e , po y

” h o no un

1 86 MIS S DAISY DIMITY .

I t wa s a n t to way through them . evil rick play her ; an d P u ssy wa s the quietest se e m

i n o f th e s to o . g Cox girl ,

’ Captain O D o noghu e had n o t a ny inten tio n o f presumi ng upo n their po s itio n ; he wa s nt n t a ge lema , hough a good deal

n B ut a s s s o to co ceited . he w al o used flirtin g that he could n o t leave off his

n n t a n d w seco d a ure , ould have paid com pliments to h is grandmother o n her good

s if n o t f n to look , o her emale happe ed be

s nt pre e . — — Could he help it that bei ng tall “ h e must be n d his head a little down to wards t t l t t n his dis ressed , smal maye ha , bei g

w of n fine e s w a are havi g ey , he should Sho th e m t o the most advantage by looking a t

Daisy with s weetly protecting glan ces ?

I t was n ot in his n ature t o like being

n th e reeb o o ter hurried , accordi gly F paced by her side a t such a gentle sau nter that MISS DAISY DIMITY . 1 3?

t nt u n tt f t to her impa ie , h rryi g li le ee had

n li ger also .

A n d it wa s in n t to t k ft , as his a ure al so n t n a n d n n s n w o hi gs o e se, much as he ould

o f wn -t nn w t all play a mild game la e is , i h th e girls he k ne w (kn o wing most expec ted it o f h o w th e w him) , could he guess gro ing embarras s me nt o f poor Daisy ?

H e did n o t guess it ; sh e was to o u tterly f f m n t to o n to resh ro gree pas ures , , u used

h n f r n t n t e w o f m e o n . ays , his u ders a di g

t e n an d she f t So h y paced alo g , el like a

fluttered dove take n u n der th e wi ng o f a

n f n ha dsome alco .

She did n o t k no w h o w to look at him did n ot know wh at to say ; did not know w t to — fo r M r n w ha do surely s . Gru dy ould thi nk it a most bold a nd shocking pro c e e d ing for her to be seen walki ng through a to wn alo ne with a ge ntleman

’ a s t n o ne to o a n d o ne o f the n s ra ge , , ! uee Freebooters 1 38 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

f t s o u t s he n ot to She el g il y , did dare l n f n if th e ook arou d , eeli g as all passers

by must b e frami ng severe verdicts u pon

B ut a t t w n t her behaviour . , las , he hey

had bee n fo r s ome mi nutes in a bette r

street tha n those from which they had

t an d e emerged , curiosi y prevailed , a blu

gaze timidly searched ' arou n d fo r a ny

chan ce accusers .

A great start - a full stop ; an exclama

t n io o f horror .

“ There is Captai n Gascoigne ! Look

” n h t o f th t t o t e o her Side e s ree .

Wh o ? Oh ! that m an in the Strap

’ n n pers ; so he is . He has bee walki g

opposite to u s fo r th e last quarter o f a n

” t n ‘ t of t t ? hour, I should hi k . Wha ha

’ w O D on o h ue n at dra led g , looki g across

th e i ndividual in question wh o wa s going

w th t n in th e i leisurely s eps , his ose air, as

if t t n f t w to ha , his pri cipal ea ure , ished

‘ I 1 40 MIS S DAISY DIM TY .

’ n o I n t n t t No , ; do mi d abou o her

e n b ut t n people se i g us s o much , Cap ai

Gascoigne

“ What ! is he s uch a favoured i ndi

? I 66 n t vidual 9 your pardo , Miss Dimi y , f o r n t n n o f it st o havi g bee aware . I mu — co ngrat ulate you co ngratulate him rathe r

” n m an o n bei g such a happy .

’ ” Oh n t do , please , cried Daisy, blush

n th m rtifi ati n a n d i ng crimso wi o c o shame .

“ ’ Y o u n w n t n t t o u t k o , I do mea ha ; y mus

n I t n t t—t t k ow . is o ly ha ha he is my

’ b t t t f n a nd ro her s grea es rie d ,

A t t t n t n t n t ha very i s a , Gascoig e sho a

swift glance a cross the stre et at them rather as if he had don e s o several times

f . sa t be ore He w Daisy colour . She ried t o b o w b ut f she s o , be ore could do , he had

f n looked care ully away agai .

What an d yo u think he will tell you r

t a nd e t n ? bro her g you a scoldi g, eh Poor MISS DAISY DIMITY . 1 4 1 — li ttle girl is that what sh e I S frigh te ne d

a t ? Com e ! he could n ever be such a

l I to b - a nd - b bru te . Shal speak him y y a n d tr to it y square , eh

’ ” n t No ; please do .

I t was wi th difficul ty Daisy pre ve nted

s f f m s t n nt t t her el ro bur i g i o ears , al hough

e h n w wh they filled her ey s s e hardly k e y .

B ut t o k no w that Gascoign e must have

n n n s o n bee seei g her si ce ever lo g ago ,

’ appare ntly n e s tli ng u nder th e falco n s w n ! t o f n o w a s if t w i g eel he mus be a are ,

n t n o t k n n eve hough he did loo rou d agai ,

’ o f n n e w t n of f nd n her guardia s o e o li g ,

t n t n t t s t pi yi g pa ro age , ha roused her piri — like an i nsult it wa s to o much

“ s sa n t n w t to No , plea e y o hi g ha ever

t n n c an s to him Cap ai Gascoig e . I peak

" f if it is n e s b ut it n o t himsel , ec sary ; is ,

“ sh e t w t f n n t . repea ed , i h reezi g dig i y He

may tell what he pleases to my brother I 1 42 MISS DAISY DIMITY . am n o t in th e least afraid o f Jack mis

n n — n j udgi g me . O ly ma y than ks fo r having brought me s o fa r ; b ut I think it would be best fo r me to g o home alon e

n ow .

Eh ? b ut wh in th e n o f y, ame all th t fo o n sh ? s e e t n— a w a is You Cap ai ,

’ w t n — n an d n t nt ha s his ame Gascoig e , i s a

” l o u w nt n to t y y are a i g bol .

’ Beca us e I don t wish to meet a ny

’ n VV — e n t a cquainta ces . e w do like walk ing alo n e with gentleme n in our part o f

’ ” th e t n h u w O D ono e . orld , Cap ai g

A ! t t fe w h really , al hough here are so

t I . Y o u here , believe surprise me, Miss

Dimity ; fo r t here mus t be a g reat many cows to be m et with in your walks abroad

in n t n - ( a rallyi g o e) . Come eh Be a

n — m w d se sible child . Why give you y or ,

I walk abou t th e to wn with some differe nt

M arstown you ng lady almost every day o f

1 44 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

w I wa s at Elm Oh , dear ; I ish back home Hall !”

A nd sh e did n o t kn ow her way in th e very least

I n f r nt wa s t t nt n n two o a s ree , co ai i g

’ t s n w m n cheap bu cher shops , rou d hich a y of the lo wer orders were jostli ng ; also a

- u t a l public ho se . I w s real y a stree t used v ery much as a thoroughfare ; b ut to

n to t t it Daisy , u used all back s ree s , seemed o f th e a n d h t n slums , slummy ; her ear sa k

t t t o f t n it u t n a hough s raversi g t erly alo e . — Besides was it th e way ? Which w — wa s th e t wa here righ y, alas

’ No matter ; th e re wa s Cap tai n Gascoigne s t u e s ti n te n h s o all fig r ll sau ri g easily a ead , , t n n t s tt aki g him as her beaco , hi poor li le ship wrecked mari ner crept humbly in the

st n ft A n o f u di a ce a er him . ga g ro gh w n n n a n d sh e orkme came shoulderi g alo g ,

t t n he saw n quailed . Jus he s Gascoig e MISS DAISY DIMITY . 1 4 5

a t a nd n s o t t o f h l look rou d , ook hear

a n d w nt o n grace e .

A n t a t w s n seco d ime , a cro ded cros i g,

a aI n n a nd he g slacke ed his pace , seemed

to w t it B ut t th a ch her over . ou side e

- t wa s tt w w e public house here a li le cro d , her

n wa some wra gling wa s going o n . Daisy s

st n n to b ut wa s n ot almo i cli ed believe ,

e t t s t t t n s n h a d y qui e ure , ha Cap ai Ga coig e — b e en watchi ng over her safety before b ut n o w N o w t t t he s opped a hird ime , a n d f f r airly waited o her t o come up .

ro w s t There seems a here , Mis Dimi y .

s n ne n o w Perhaps , i ce you are alo , you

” would like t o have a n escort past it ?

Such a coldly civil to ne ; such a cool glan ce ; s urely a faintest emphasis o f that

now.

A n d n d H o w ? he had ever sai , do you do

This so c ut Daisy to the heart that s he

e n b ut f n nu could have cri d agai ; , eeli g

VOL I I . . L 1 46 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

t o to o wn t f t n S h e able speak her sa is ac io ,

n tt nt n t a nd o ly made a li le asse i g ges ure, s t l w nt w t t s il more meekly e , i h small s ep ,

te he r n e w t af r escor .

n n in The da ger passed , Gascoig e , his t n st t t o ff h a t b ut ur , opped s ill ; ook his ; did n o t a t smile all .

n o w t Your road is clear , Miss Dimi y ,

I think ; so I shall wi s h y o u good morn in 7? g .

t n w w n d w th He had ur ed a ay , he he hear , i s e n ome surprise , a small voic behi d him ,

“ Oh ! do s tay ; just liste n to me for

” o ne nt l mome , p ease .

I t wa s said with a little gasp that made

n e n t t t Gascoig look do w sligh ly s ar led .

Then he sa w that her eyes were rather like

d h r f n we t n an e . vero icas , ace q uiveri g

“ What has distressed you ? Y o u have

n e t the tt ? bee v xed . Wha is ma er he

w t n n . exclaimed , i h real co cer

48 M 1 ISS DAISY DIMITY .

t t f o f Wi h almos a bash ul air pleasure ,

n w f t o s a Gascoig e allo ed himsel y, “ — Well I co nfes s to having bee n a lit

t le surprised ; fo r I t seemed u nlike your

u u h ts t it i f s al abi . S ill s very good o yo u

” to t t s o o n n have hou gh much f my opi io .

Oh ! b u t ever sin ce you fou n d that

horrid book in my workbox I have bee n

alway s afraid you must thin k s o stran gely

f n d n t n n o . A me i deed , Cap ai Gascoig e , it wa s o nly put there f o r a joke by som e

of th e t t e wa s s o res , because h y said I

’ n n t ! n t r w nt ig ora Do you emember, I a ed

to explain it all to yo u in th e garde n s next

day ; b ut someho w yo u frighte ned me t o o — ” much you do remember f

Rememb er ? Of cou rse Gascoign e remembered A n d so at last thi s f EX L I t amous P AN ATIO N wa s made . would have been u nlike mortal m a n n ot to be still mere flattered at such revere nce . MISS DAISY DIMITY . 1 49

A n d you have thought about such a little matter A LL this time

t wa s Tha all he said .

’ B ut it wa s evidently e nough in Daisy s

f h n e o r s e w . yes , looked do

“ ” A nd n o w w nt o n n t , e Gascoig e , s ill

t b ut if n t afl airs gra ified , briefly , as prese

“ m t n o t n te a n n h o w us be eglec d y lo ger ,

‘ are yo u goi ng to make your way back ?

I t te e h w c an find is qui asy , o ever You it t wa s tt n n a s This las u ered i quiri gly , , d s t t ne o f n w o f e pi e his o assura ce , a shado d oubt flitte d over th e clear face before him .

I have n o t th e slightest idea where I

” a m w th e wa w th ; or hich is y, i equal

h r viv n to o wn . n w t e assura ce his The , i i n t an d an o f nn nt t t i n g spiri s , air i oce rus

” tt w w it ? him , No ma er ; ill you sho me

B ut h ow about th e Marstown gossips

I f it is wro ng to be see n alon e with Cap 1 50 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

’ t n O D on o h ue it t h to b e ai g , is qui e armless

” n w t ? n see i h me smili g . — — I oh I I n eve r thought about t t tt t ha , murmured li le Miss Dimi y , look

i n n g dow .

I f n I o f I eve could g , I am a raid dare

” n ot n o w w nt on n n o ut , e Gascoig e , pulli g

hi w t to t th t th s . e I a ch For, ell you ru ,

ought to be doi ng some rather important

busi ness ; a n d have delayed almost t o o

’ lo ngf

“ You waited to se e me i n safely ! Oh !

’ please hurry away ; don t wait a ny more

”

t n o u e . ha k y already so very, v ry much

“ t n L t see ou t t Wai a mome t . e me y s ar

f l t o n t t e t sa e y first. You mus g alo g his s r e

t o th e church ; the n tak e th e seco n d tur n

ing to your left ; then the first t o your

t t n t he f t to ft a n d t e e righ ; he irs your le , h r

n you are . Ca you remember

“ I mus t take the secon d turni ng here

1 52 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

n t t t t o f losi g hese her las pro ec ors .

A n t t a t t d ha som ore pas her grea spee ,

soo n after she had started ; a n d Gascoign e

o ut of it n e th e sun - o d smiled upo her , lik g t o ut o f his chario .

What a hurry he seemed to be in H o w tw t to o it n o f him ice , hrice , good had bee

t o delay thus lon g o n her accou nt

n n w t m st n So , a you g perso i h a o smili g

f a n d t t n f we ace qui e res ored happi ess , ollo d

th e old Spin sters past th e church t he n

d wn th e t n n to ft to t o several ur i gs le , righ ,

nd n a so o .

N o w they had come o ut into a street

beside a square which square W a s the

nt o f m n hau a y poor dogs , very likely

t t f n it n n nt to l homeless , ha ou d co ve ie s ip

t the r n an d t ft n hrough aili gs, hus o e escape

n On s a d n n t . e persecu io such cur, sli ki g

f of f t f n rom his oasis re uge , had jus ou d a

n t n in the t t an d wa s n as y bo e s ree , givi g M I M 1 ss DAISY DI ITY . 53

himself the toothsome delight o f a worry

before making off to safety with th e trea

t A t th e t tt sure rove . same ime , a li le

white d og that belo nged to th e Miss Sil

v erth o rne s t tt w t th e ro ed up , very much i h

s ame actio n as his mi s tre s ses ; a nd stood h s till to gaze at t e v ulgar Sight .

Some people tell o ne that A LL dogs are

u n f n a nd f u o f t selfish , rie dly , ll vir ues

tt n u s t th e t n o t pu i g o blush . Tha I do

t n t t A LL believe . No more ha I believe ha childre n are charmi ng a nd a ngelic lit tle h creatures . One o f t e latter whom I knew used to have a playful habit o f creeping

n th e n n - t e a nd tran sfix in the u der di i g abl , g

’ calves o f the legs o f his father s guests w t n - f f n nt i h a carvi g ork . His o d pare s d t in n nn n eclared he did his a gelic i oce ce , i n th e supposition that the vic tims enj oyed th e w t f a nd t t game equally i h himsel , ha he took thei r s tarts a nd ou tcri e s fo r ex cla MISS DAISY DIMITY .

t I matio n s o f deligh . always looked upon t t a s a n n e nt n ruffian ha child i cipi you g .

t o n I t e t As dogs agai , hold hey hav heir

ff nt t t n di ere charac ers j us a s childre .

a n t w Broadly spe ki g , hey are like ise all t t nn nt a n d e n B ut t ha is i oce xcelle t . s ill t here are black lambs in th e fold ; just a s

w w n st t cro s , ho ever ho e , have some hieves

in their commu nity whom they al ways

t an d promp ly j udge kill . Some dogs are

n t an d w if at to t co cei ed , gro l laughed , heir

silliest old age ; others are sel fish ; a nd

f e w w w e - t t some , ho ever ll rea ed , have a

t in t t n e ra di surly spo heir hear s , ever

c ate d ; possibly from n o t being taught a

n n t sm ca i e ca echi .

Thus th e little white d og o f the Misse s

Silverthorne stood an d sneered at the

n dinner of his dejected eighbour . He

u w n a n ff n raised his pper lip , sho i g o e sive

t t u t i n th a oo h as he did s o . J s e same w y

TM 1 56 MISS DAISY D I T Y . — O ne gro wl ! a dart a roll in the du st !

n d t e n f w ! a errifi d squeaki gs ollo ed . Fido — — Fido ! Policeman M y darling Y o u — — — ’ brute Come here B e o ff P o - hce

” m a n ! shrieked th e horrified old ladies ; n o t daring eve n in that sore distress to raise their voices to a n in delicate pitch o f

n w t in t f t t screami g, hils a errible righ hey

’ feebly beat o n th e enemy s back with their lace parasols . — — B ut lo ng before the human blue bottle a t the street- cor ne r would have bestirred f— himsel help came .

Dai sy had rushed t o the rescue ; an d being a s fearless as a ny cou ntry - maide n c in u tt t th e b i ould be s ch ma ers , cau gh g

er d o th e t t a nd him ff g g by hroa choked o .

Luckily his mou th had been s o full o f

’ w t t th e tt wa s Fido s oolly hide, ha la er

tc w n th e t and t barely scra hed , he eldes mos c ourageous o f his old mistresses s n atched M I ss DAISY DIMITY . 1 57

n t him up trembli g . So all migh have

n w b ut fo r the m - e ded ell , isery dulled per

- c eptio ns o f th e poor street cur .

O nly seei ng i n Daisy a n other claimant — fo r his wre tched bo n e just as sh e released

i e t n a nd b t . n him , he ur ed her arm Th ,

with a b o wl o f mi ngled venge a nce a n d

t s n n his t a nd riumph , he pra g upo boo y ;

tucki ng his tail between his legs s o that

n o s e t t a t it h e pursuers hould g a bi e , dis

e twe e n the n s a n d app ared be square raili g ,

o ut f f o this hi story o r evermore .

a re t ? ! Oh , you badly hur Dear, dear

s he n t st is bleedi g . Sis er, si er , call a cab , a nd le t u s t to st—n o to th e ake her a chemi ,

t — n o th e h t ! h o w e doc or , ospi al Oh , gri ved we are ! h o w thankful we a re

- n n There is n o cab sta d ear . Are you faint ? Let u s s u pport you to th e en d o f

” th e t t n s ree till we get o e .

Thus the two Silver - grey dressed spi n 1 58 MISS DAISY DIMITY . s ters in t t n exclaimed , remulous o es ; hover

n s ing rou d D ai y .

t t e f e To heir vas r lie , she laughed brav ly i n t f a n d t n f heir aces , ied her ha dkerchie r n w st f I t wa s m ou d her ri hersel . a ere n othi ng she declared ; they must no t b e

t troubled abou such a trifle .

What could they d o for h er

t w the Well , please, could hey Sho her — way home to ! hyber Pass Road ?

” t t is ! th e Why , ha our road also cried

tt old o n w ff n to li le ladies ; hich , each o eri g

s t s e o n t s t uppor Dai y hom ei her ide , hey

overwhelmed h e r with ten der little ej a c u

lation s a n d n u i q iries .

I n f e w n t t a the a mi u es , hey re ched

! hyber Pass Road ; an d d elicately i n quired

to w o f the n - n e w - hich bra d , red brick villas

n Daisy wa s bou d .

“ o u r in ! h m Do y live , my dea , uru

or in m Vale, Coo assie House

1 60 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

They were so eag e r o n either side o f h er that Daisy could n o t resist them especially

she n to f e e t as had begu l ra her Sick , as

w t t w a n d th e t much i h her exci ed alk, hea

’ o f th e sun f th e t . I t wa s , as rom dog s bi e

t f t o fin d s f n w t gra e ul her el bei g led , i h

nt tt n o f t nt ge le u era ces sympa hy , i o a

e d t —f nt w t shad , almos dark room ragra i h fl — o we rs exqui sitely cool .

— ’ Bring a gla s s o f madeira our father s h old a ste w t e e t . madeir , si r, hispered eld s

Then Dai sy wa s forced to s wallo w s uch

o f w ne a s wa s t n a glass i mol e gold , com

’ M r w t s . f pared i h Cox s cheapest o Marsalas .

nw th e m s t n o f Mea hile , o smili g comely middle - aged maids had brought h o t water a nd the ft t o f n n n n so es li e apki s , marked

(a s Daisy languidly n oticed) with a date

te f nt A n d qui hal a ce ury old . such gen tle fome ntation s follo wed ; an d pityi ng o f that plump white arm and tender b an M MISS DAISY DI ITY . 1 61 d a in s w f n n g g as ould have hal cured a yo e .

“ ” f uite n o w I eel q cured , , Daisy declared , w n a t t wa s n an d sh e f t he , las , all e ded , el

f n really hersel agai .

“ B ut sit t an d u se t s ill, my dear ; hese

n - t tt a nd let smelli g sal s a li le more , me put j ust a lee- tle more toilet - vinegar o n

t e an d - - n in y our empl s , some eau de colog e

” s nt t the e a n d your palm , e rea ed old ladi s then they looked a t her an d looked a t

t n t t if sh e Fido al er a ely, almos as had saved th e f f th o t a li e o e child f heir old ge .

n t n to t t t The hey bega cha , heir hear s

n n w bei g ope ed ide .

Their you ng vi sitor told them very soo n h o w She had come to stay fo r the ball

“ ’ n nt give by her brother s regime . (She always spoke as if th e full regime nt o f

“ ” t f n to m e S rappers , rom colo el dru m r

n w an d to boy, belo ged holly solely Lieu

n nt te a Jack Dimity . )

I I . V OL . M A I ISS D ISY DIM TY .

A nd s o you had n ever known the

f t Coxes be ore, said hese old ladies , much

nt t a n d n th e t t i eres ed , givi g each sligh es o f little cough s a t me ntion o f th e Cox f W e— we n h n amily . ever ave called upo

f r —w th f t m . o e Mrs Cox ; really ell , ac is , y

r we o n fe w n t dea , call very people , u less hey are co nnected with old frie n ds far a way f m e Y o u s ee n t in ro her . , havi g come la e

f to t wn a nd n in V li e Mars o , livi g such a ery

t wa i n t we n ot quie y his small house , did think a ny you ng people like your frien ds would care fo r the society o f such old f ” rumps . — Dai sy havi ng a sudden co nvictio n that some o f the Cox girls must have been overheard using this epithet of thei r — n eighbours ga zed rather wide - eyed at th e t Sis ers .

! I t w to Frumps Well , ould be hard call t t n . n t hem so No hi g more ea , more deli

1 64 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

’ subject ever again crossed th e old ladies

n f r th t n lips . O ly o e ime bei g they had t to o ut th e t n t ried carry Chris ia precep ,

“ ‘ w t t t t and Rejoice i h hem ha do rejoice ,

t t t t w s n weep wi h hem ha eep . The occa io

n t t n to r th e c o nfi go e , hey ur ed eceive f f d e nc e s o resh vi sitors .

’ tt n o r o f t Ta li g , gossip o hers really

t ff t d : n th priva e a airs , hey hel vulgar be ea their dignity

The room that held these two old - fash ion e d specime ns o f bygone E nglish life a n d n t t o ne nto breedi g, almos chea ed i

e v n it n n o t to n ew in beli i g belo ged , a villa

! b ut to t hyber Pass Road , some quie

of nt a o home several ce uries g .

All its summer draperies of good o ld f n nt n e ashio ed chi zes , such as are ever mad n o w- a - to n w days , seemed have bee ashed j ust yesterday a nd dried o n s ome cowslip green while the s ce nt o f cou ntry jasmine 1 MISS DAISY DIMITY . 65

a nd n - t to th e f n bea blossoms almos , a cy ,

n n t t hu g upo hem s ill . The floor wa s

t d s the w - w n mos ly polishe , becau e ell or

b ut s till handsome Turkey rug i n the

e n c tre wa s s o very small . There were also

tables a nd a few ch airs o f fine old carved

“ ” o ak w t a n fo r th e f n in , i h S amily ame

m n f th f th n edallio s . I e rest o e fur iture

wa s nf ne w t t nw e f t pai ully , ha u elcom ac

wa s almo st hidde n fro m prying eyes by

’ c u s hion s o f finest n eedlework which o ne s

eyes were s trained in admiring ; a n d table

c loths a nd coverlets that had bee n em

broidered with flo wers a nd shep herds a n d

t w t t in w n ra n heir s ee hear s , days he Time f ar far w t n n o w , Slo er ha .

A nd however old a nd long - used all

t n w t w n o t s hese plai ly ere , hey ere habby ;

havi ng bee n kept with to o much loving

a nd pride care .

t w t w t n t o All his , hich akes some ha lo g 1 66 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

’ t n nt describe , had s ole i o Daisy s percep tio n i n a fe w minute s after sh e had

n t e the s f t in th e e er d hou e . She el pres e nce o f ge ntility that did n ot grieve by its

t t u it t f r pover y , al ho gh sugges ed orme

t t the o ld compara ive riches . Ra her Sil v ertho rne ladie s seemed t o p osse s s a

Sle n der b ut sufficie nt stipe nd ; a mode st

m t compete n ce . However uch more hey

t at nt t to migh have had , prese hey seemed have ENOUGH .

M nw t in t n n ea hile , hey ur had bee

n n t exami i g Daisy Dimi y .

saw w t f - n n They a s ee , resh looki g maide ,

t an d w t n e small , rim , plump, i h very ic

t w ut n A nd clo hes , very ell p upo her . s urveyi ng her kin dly from th e cro wn of

w - to n t her yello , daisy like head her ea

tt f t one t to the t li le ee , sis er said o her ,

t t n hesi a i gly,

1 68 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

What a mistake we d id make Cer tainl it n r y, seemed very u like dea Gerald

’ n — e n s on His Gascoig e poor G raldi e s .

m t wa s o ur t t o her, my dear very grea es

” f n rie d .

The sisters were so happy a t this terrible

mistake being se t to rights that th ey could

n o t sufficie ntly thank Daisy f or thus

t n to t it w n o t n res ori g hem , as ere, o ly Fido ,

b ut also their male human favourite .

Y o u will promis e faithfully to come in

every day a nd have your arm dressed by

” u s n o o ne else th e t a n by , y repea ed gai

d n t - an . agai , as Daisy bade hem good bye

f t f u So she ai h lly promised .

Whe n she crossed the threshold o f the

’ ’ w - n Coxes ork room o ce more, Jack s voice

o ut cried cheerily ,

t n tt w Wha hours you have bee , li le slo

” coach ! Look at our glorious Au nt Sally .

A t t of n n t e horrible raves y huma a ur , 9 MISS DAISY DIMITY . 1 6 w t t t s t n and a n i h a s ou body, kele o legs , old crinoline fo r th e display of future dra

ri st in he m o f the e es t . p , ood iddle floor

m n wa s . The dum y , i deed , a success C HAPTER I X .

W e t ee e s b e hr Arch r ,

R e s t t ve t th e th nt ee ang r ha ro hrough nor cou r ,

’ ve s v e s e t Lo r of n on and lib r y,

T t v e not s e ha alu honour or mon y .

W e t ee e m en b e hr m rry ,

A t a lass or a glass under greenwood - tree

J ocundl t e t ee y chaun ing our anci n gl ,

we no Though had t a penny of money .

n t n of t HAT a se sa io curiosi y , mixed

w t tt a we an d n o t w t t i h a li le , i hou a

o f nt it t dash embarrassme , mus give every well - brought - up cou ntry maiden to go to her first military dance

t t n and Her firs mili ary da ce, perhaps

1 72 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

h - n ot t . B ut n s t e spo less i ide cloak room ,

’ what a difl eren c e ! This wa s s ome officer s r s o tt w t t oom , fi ed up i h almos luxuries as to make o ne thi nk that soldieri ng wa s n ot a lt t lot o f un t t oge her a mi iga ed hardship ,

“ ” w t n o n th e n i h a lodgi g cold grou d .

“ What a lovely b ig glass over his

n - a n d rea l o n the t chim ey piece , lace velve

fl ounc e w ! ! ofi cers w belo Dear, dear ere

” n ot t nt in n so ex ravaga my you g days ,

n M r h as s . t w o w sighed po derous Smee h ,

n f f disrobi g hersel rom a Paisley shawl .

’ n t —it s n ot tt t Flou ce , mo her a pe icoa ,

nf u c t fl oun cin at scor lly eja ula ed Essie , g

“ ’ ’ ’ t I t n h u e her mo her . s Captain O D o og s

’ r I b et f o r s o f n o f n oom , ll , he is o d looki g a t f himsel .

t t nt Do, Miss Dimi y dear, jus peep i o t t t a n d t l ha pho ograph book beside you , el us wh o in it f w is , play ully hispered Miss

Grace . MISS DAISY DIMITY . 1 73

n o — n I w t n o t Oh , i deed , ould ra her ,

n w n a nd s n o ut a s ered Daisy , recoili g, haki g

her Skirts busily . ’ — Here s pi n k po wder a n d white every

” f t d u com or provide , exclaimed F zzy Cox, eagerly d ustin g her face with some p oud re

' de rze w t s w t n hils Pu sy, i h a simper, musi g l t th e d e n n y appropria ed Bloom Ni o , thinking that would suit her complexion better .

I n the n n t n backgrou d , Mrs . Bra dis o

Bro wne wa s deluging her o wn a nd her

’ daugh ter s han dkerchiefs with perf um e from some o f th e c ut glass bottles lib erally

th e n n wn n displayed by u k o ow er .

’ One n t e it a t does ke p home , my dear,

he nfidin l n t s c o g y odded o Daisy .

Daisy wi s hed everyo n e would n o t co nfide in sh e t nt her ; besides ra her disliked sce ,

f n an d pre erri g soap water .

When all th e girls had in turn hate d 1 74 MISS DAISY DIMITY . each other for staying t o o long at th e

n - Cox m looki g glass , Mrs . arshalled her

t nt h n - par y i o t e a te room .

Daisy felt as if pl unged a t o nce i nto a group of u niformed m en that seemed all

t a n d t to eyes , s ares , red j acke s , her frightened imaginatio n ; n o t o ne of whom

h n n s e w a t t . n S h e k e , or leas recog ized Whe

f e w nt f n recovered rom her b ilderme , she ou d

’ that Captai n O D on ogh ue had stepped fo r w d ft l n t m an d ar , a er his co o el received he ,

wa s n o n . to w smili g Pussy Pussy, hom

he had never spoke n before that day at the

market ! With m uch b y- play of eyes an d

mutual murmured chaff upo n th e trick she

h e wa s w t n —w t n had played him , ri i g ri i g

t n n n wri i g his ame o her card .

n nt t f tt n Daisy, bei g appare ly qui e orgo e

t n f m nd by him , gazed ra sfixed ro behi

’ t n I s she . t . t wa Mrs Cox s shel eri g Skir s ,

Y 1 76 MISS DAIS DIMITY .

’ n f t to at M rs wn s pou ded her ee a jelly . Bro e

n da ce .

We got away before all th e rest of o ur

f a s to sure of older o ficers , so be some

” n o ne w th t f t n da ces , remarked , i sa is ac io .

A n d n o w t the , Miss Dimi y, may I have

pleasure o f this ! an d this a n d this (The very best valses

’ ‘ ’ ’ th e ollee w t You ll give me Tres j al z ,

’ ” w n t t ? o you , Miss Dimi y urged his com

“ ’ ’ h T res llee is n t n n . t o so pa io T a j j olly, is it

“ But . nt really, Mr Blou mildly ex

t t the w t e w t pos ula ed re ch d Daisy, i h her

fe e t aching at th e recollection of their

former suffering

“ I nt t . unt am Mr . Hu his is Mr Blo ,

nt t t he t t a n d th eagerly i errup ed las you h , bo

w n nt n n of s ai s ge ly smiled , u co scious her

ff n s u eri gs .

t so we s m We are ra her alike, are o e 1 MISS DAISY DIMITY . 77 t t a nd u imes called Cas or Poll x , hazarded

m f he n the least ti id o t Gemi i .

t f t t t Wi h some di ficul y, heir vic im had j us t rescued some o f the best dan ces from

“ ” th e n o f t n t w n w n pe cils hese heave ly ai , he

’ Captai n O D on oghue led up two o r three

- n - eager, dark complexio ed , black haired youth s .

“ o t a n n to Have you g y da ces spare ,

M s t ? w t nt i s Dimi y he asked , i h a ge le

t t a smile ha w s almost maliciou s .

A nd t n f w n he , as his ollo ers admiri gly

n t e a t n n closed upo heir pr y, he p ro izi gly

’ in n of an murmured , Daisy s pi k shell ear , “ w t t I They ill j us sui you , am sure ;

” t ood bo s hey are all such g y .

t an nw t Wi h i ard very grea Sigh , Daisy

relinquished her fond hopes an d her card .

’ She had a vague idea n o w that a ll Jack s

beardless subaltern s had lint- white hair

an d w - t n n an d t t ell bred , imid ma ers ; ha all

I I N V OL . . 1 78 M ISS DAISY DIMITY .

’ ’ Captai n O D o nogh ue s young Freebooters

- t must be s warthy visaged you hs .

I t f tf u to find o ut b puzzled her righ lly , y a nd - b t t t e n o t w y, ha his rul did al ays hold

n the n n w t t f good ; as , duri g eve i g, i h you h ul

n t o f t w n t ge erosi y , each hese s ai s brough like wise up th e ir d earest comrades to

share th e delights o f an i ntroduction to a n d n w t —t s n e w who possible da ce i h hi girl ,

wa s (in turn with all n e w girls) the rage

t n in Mars ow .

The dan ci ng wa s in th e mess - room ; of

which n o more n eed be said than that it

to n lo w had a floor polished glassi ess , a

n a nd w t w h w t ceili g, hi e as ed alls decora ed

t wi h crossed flags .

Daisy sa w th e other girls di s appearing

a ft th e t wn er firs valse , do passages here ,

a n d t p assages here .

The place remi nded her of a rabbit

burrow.

1 80 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

’ n nn a n d two an d Colo el Du , Jack s majors ,

t n t n a nd w f w e Cap ai Lux o his merry i e , hos faces could be discerned in th e rear !

Smiler Lee dived straight across th e

t th e n a n d t room hrough mazy da ce , accos ed Daisy with th e air of o ne on his o wn — grou n d as surely a dan cing - fl o or was his realm .

“ I t s ee to - n t mus your card igh , Miss

Dimity ; it is my business to keep your

’ ” n t t n t it ? accou s s ill , is

t n o f w th e Wi h a gla ce dumb sorro ,

partner of Castor and Pollux dutifully

gave up her programme . She merely

n in nt t n n odded sile regre , as Lee i quiri gly

r o ut in an n t n nt nt ead , u der o e , Hu , Blou

— nt nt ! did e Blou , Hu Well , you com

t o - n t ! B ut early igh ) I say (aloud) , “ me two of t v you promised hese alses ,

’ t th e t n n n t o u Miss Dimi y, o her eve i g, do y

remember 1 1 MISS DAISY DIMITY . 8

B ut I did no t k n o w you were comi ng to - n t nt n n e t f f igh , sce i g delivera ce, y ear ul

’ n t f l n of hurti g her cap or s ee i gs .

Still you promised me these dances t firs .

The ki ng of th e ball - room looked with such an indignant eye upo n Castor that that poor you ng sub - lieu te nant meekly offered to resign o ne o f his ill - gotte n

. wh o wa s n his k prizes Pollux, easi g bac a gai nst th e acute edge o f an adjacen t door — waiting fo r his tur n to claim Terpsichore fo r his kick - a nd - sh uffle attempts at learning — to d ance wa s d ejectedly obliged to follo w t s ui . ft w w t t A . er hich Mr Lee , i h calm sa is

’ f t n t t d c on ac io , res ored Miss Dimi y s car ,

fidin in w g a hisper,

“ I have put myself down for five more

— n in will t o f seve all . You give me hem ,

’ w n t ? t — t course , o you Fac is do ake my 1 82 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

a nd sit o ut w t nt our n t : arm , i h me u il ex

n — th e f t t two da ce comes ac is , here are girls in th e room I am determined n ot to give o ne si ngle turn to t o - night ! so I want

” n l t t o da ce a ot wi h you .

s n on e of the He led Dai y alo g cold ,

t n w t - w wn w h s o e , hi e ashed passages , do hic

h t n sh e had see n t e o her girls goi g .

They t urned i nto o ne o f several tiny rooms (obviously th e lairs o f some o f Her

’ M t f i n t n t t b ut ajes y s o ficers heir ormal s a e , n o w to be regarded o nly in the light of

fl irtation - ne w boudoirs) . This o sho ed t n of e and t oke s Sl ep , smoke , s udy ; sleep

n t o f w r sig ified by a sor big ard obe door ,

s n a n b ut v n to clo i g alcove , gi i g passage

air at th e top ; smoke faintly suggesting

itself by scent cli nging to the window — curtai n s ; study a large amou nt o f n ovel s

s t wn on th t o of t be re e p mili ary drawers .

B ut there were two little roun d tables ;

1 4 Y 8 MISS DAIS DIMITY .

n d o f M E a ever so much praise ? Y e s .

t t wf n on t Well , ha girl is a ully go e me , hey

’ say (I m only j ust telli ng you this in stric t

co nfiden ce B ut I am d e termm e d n o t t o

’ o n a t o - n t fo r it s tt to ut g e r her igh , be er p

— ’ a stop t o that sort o f thing a t o nce do n t

’ you think so ? I can t blame my co nscie nc e

’ I ve only dan ced with her a good deal b e

’ cause she has a good s tep b ut it s better

’ t o show her at o n ce I can t have that sort

n o f thi g .

Daisy listened in some doub t as to what

“ ” t t t of t n wa s ha sor hi g , love or doggerel .

B ut s at w t t t d as she i h rosy lips jus par e ,

an d b i tt nt n she g blue eyes all a e io , looked

th e very embodimen t o f a Sympathetic

n liste er .

the nt n it t So Smiler co i ued , qu e deligh ed

with her a nd with himself

“ A n d t n w it —I wa s he , ould you believe

n ever so n ear being c a ught in a trap a s M 1 85 MISS DAISY DI ITY . this very night by old Mother Bro wne

” t n t I in ! n . his very igh , as came (solem ly)

t f w d in f wn n wa She s epped or ar , her a i g y , a n d a w n ot t for sked me , ould I ake her a

of tea ? But tlza nlr n ! cup , good ess some fellows had p ut me up as to what that trick meant

“ ” t ? s t nt t d Wha asked Dai y , mos i eres e , fo r th e s pe aker assumed quite a tragic air

n over his delivera ce .

Wh t wn a nd o ne to y, She si s do , begs

’ tt t a nd t n n s have a li le cha , he asks o e — i nten tio ns about her daughter ugh

Luckily I never lose my presen ce of mind n to for o ne ever . I begged her excuse me m nt n w t was n ome , as I k e here a you g lady expecting m e to dan ce with her (that wa s you A nd I go t Captain Gascoig ne to take the old woman o ff my hands fo r tea — — Cap tai n Gascoigne ? Is he did h e 1 86 Y MISS DAISY DIMIT .

Yes ; why do you look so asto nished

’ it n t Oh , he did ; yes . He did care e s pecially when he k new why I wanted to

” f h r be rid o e .

Did that mean with referen ce to dan cing

s f t n ? with Dai y hersel ; or o M rs . Bro w e

n ot b ut n s w Daisy dared ask ; soo , lo ly

n t t n raisi g her head , ha had bee very much

t wn n t w t n n modes ly do be , hils po deri g over — this enigm atic al s en te nc e whom should She

n n th e r m and its see , calmly exami i g oo

n t f the t l b ut n i ma es rom hresho d , Gascoig e

f A n t t f n u himsel . d ha dread ul livi g m mmy

f m n n n o n o w . w wa s a o a , Mrs Bro e , smili g

t to o d w t n t f . hem livi ly, i h her parchme ace

n t t n n Gascoig e looked irri a i gly, madde ingly composed (although he n ow sa w

Daisy for th e first time sin ce that day a t the t f t h ot and nw marke She el , i ardly

quite excited ; he seemed ou t wardly cool

as a cucumber .

1 88 MISS DAISY DIMITY . it t n t n in a seemed so s ra ge, so ex raordi ary

’ f n man - f n —h e r frien d rie d ; a real rie d , Jack s

’ f n h an d n o t t n O D on o ue . rie d , flir like Cap ai g

She h ad still man aged to keep some

s n in t for cheri hed da ces , hop g he migh ask — t w n w t - n hem he , i h a good humoured gri ,

wn n f w Major Hodge bore do upo her, ollo e d a nt n w t th e air by dark , florid ge lema , i h

o f n n t- n a co queri g carpe k ight .

“ ’ I m so awf ully sorry my own card is

u t u — n w — q i e filled p goi g a ay , you see old

f n an d t t t o f t n h a ! ! rie ds, ha sor hi g, ha

” twi ez s ous ! w to who yy he hispered Daisy,

rather d rew herself up at thi s familiar form

of if S h e w to n w th address , as ished da ce i

him a t B ut the nt - all . galla Hodge Podge ,

in own - if un n his good humoured , refi ed

wa was to t n and y, resolved pa ro ize be good

frien ds with little Miss Dimity ; so c o n

t nn n m t new- n i ed , eyei g her as he igh a bor

“ c w n t to nt n hick, I a i roduce Colo el Burke MISS DAISY DIMITY . 1 89

’ o f ours (in a whisper) he s co n sidered the handsomest m an in the British Army

“ ’ w t —t t s o He s ha hough Daisy , as t o nish ed to o f n t n o f hear a o her Richmo d ,

a nyo ne in th e same room with Captain

’ O D ono h ue t n v s t t g asser i g ri al claim , ha

she fou nd herself weakly giving up o ne o f

fe w in n t s t her rema i g reasures , her la valse ,

th n t o e stra ger .

A ! n o w b ut in to - n t h , ye are luck igh ,

” t n to Burke , said Major Hodge , ryi g

m an and n imic Irish brogue , maki g , like f n s . all Saxo s , a hideou ailure

“ ’ t n ! it s m eself t t re Arrah , he ha is ,

S ond e d n u in f n I p Colo el B rke , a eig ed rish

nt b ut - n on e acce also, a more real seemi g ;

t n wh o tt t t c al hough , like ma y a emp his Dori

t n wa s the nt o f - o gue , his acce a car driver,

t t n o f nt n u h ra her ha a ge lema , a m c easier

t t n imi a io .

I t n t n n ft r the sou ded so s ra ge , comi g a e 1 90 M I s s M DAISY DI ITY . well - bred tone in which he had addressed

t t S h e a t in t Daisy, ha looked him mu e s urprise . — Then then she fou nd Gascoigne him

f n ! and t n to sel addressi g her ur ed him ,

tt f tt n th e t two wh o fe t u erly orge i g o her , l

t hemselves dismissed with a sudde nness t which a good deal surprised hem .

Y o u n n n t n a s have bee da ci g every hi g, — I saw b u t n o w may I have a dan ce at l t t as , Miss Dimi y

A t last ! You should have asked m e

” t a o t f some ime g , as o her people did , hal

“ u w t n pou ted Dai sy . Y o have ai ed so lo g

” my card is almost filled .

! f t—h ow Your card . Ah I orgo I do

” t ! n w n t ha e cards a s ered Gascoig e , sligh ly t waking up from his dreamy one . They

are only bills fo r th e bores of the room by

n I f w nt which they c an d u you . ever I a

Y 1 92 M ISS DAISY DIMIT .

ff t n n o . hese la cers , he said , leadi g her

“ Miss Dimity rather rese nted th e no

” m tt w t w a n d n t t a er i h hom , i ima ed as

tn e t o n much . Her par r qui e smiled her , putti ng away his gravity ; his large n os e even looki ng han dsome with happiness as h e n w a s ered ,

“ t n—we to t t Well , he are believe ha , w m a n w t to - n t o u hoever you y da ce i h igh , y

” like very much . — B ut no t th e strangers h o w could I

T n fo r n t n wh o his Colo el Burke , i s a ce, — seems s uch a dreadful Irishman an d why is he called the ha ndsomest m an i n th e

t w e n I t t t at was Bri ish Army , h hough h

’ Captain O D onogh ue

T o t n n w e my cer ai k o ledge , I hav

‘ already kno wn seven han dsomest me n in

’ th e t A r t n G as Bri ish rmy , calmly e ur ed

n n n at o f w coig e , smili g agai her air be il

“ d erment A nd to nt n . as his acce , Colo el MISS DAISY DIMITY . 1 93

I wa s n in I l n Burke , believe , ever re a d , though he loves to be co nsidered a ge nuine

’ t n D no h ue on th e I n . O o rishma Cap ai g ,

t n wa s n an d t b ut o her ha d , bor bred here

e n o t t n it n s he do s hi k eces ary , I suppose , to remin d th e world that he comes from

‘ ’ t f th e h e distress ul cou ntry . Those are

” n f co ntradiction s on e s ees co nsta tly in li e .

’ Colo nel D unn (Jack s colon el) j ust the n

w r t n a n d n t u t M s . came p i h Lux o , i vi ed

’ t l i vi - - v s f t his coup e to be th e r s cl i . His ros y

hair a n d ro sy old face beamed a n d gl e amed

above a brea st so covered with medals

they seem e d th e easiest jingling orn ame nts

in th e w orld to ge t .

s his n is t Jack ays colo el qui e a hero ,

tt w th n t s s u ered Daisy , i a o her urpri ed

“ A nd t f t nd look . ye he looks so a a good

humoured o ne c an hardly well beli eve it ” .

t S ill he has ,

I I V OL . . 1 94 MIS S DAISY DIMITY .

’ Trod as deep in th e red wash o th e wars

wh o w t n as alks reddes , smiled Gascoig e ,

“ w n n i r t w n ith a e w teasi g a . Wha o der f ul experie n ce you are gaini ng in Mars t wn t nt t t o , Miss Dimi y You have lear ha heroes c a n look both j olly a nd even com — m n - A n d to n fat o place . as bei g you severe — young lady h ave you n e ver heard o f

’ P C s e s t lump omu in a colon l coa ,

we t s ex e t Whom hi day p c from far, ’ first - te w ar A jolly, ra man of

N ow t t t m , ha is poe ry I do re ember ,

s hte w t f for cried Dai y, delig d i h hersel

n A n d o u w s n f o ce . y al ay remi d me o th e m an wh o

O ne s e v t e w ve a t ol ir u ould arri ,

ee his v t es v t To k p many ir u pri a e .

She wa s becomi ng a perfect coquette ;

it was such bare fac e d flattery ! B ut she

was r s o sh e n o t t n eally hap py, did hi k

o f t h wa s n A n d ff much wha s e sayi g . o

1 96 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

’ Y o u n t to n e t so have asked me da ce y ,

’ tt t it sh e nf you d be er be quick abou , i orm ed him .

n in m nn so t it Gascoig e , a a er quie

t t n t of t e migh almos have bee suspec ed sa ir , r d eplie ,

I n n l tt n to am da ci g very i le , i deed , t ” n t . igh , Miss Smee h “ Y u n n w t . o c a t t e Oh , come da ce i h li l

A n d t at nt it . Miss Dimi y , all eve s , seems

’ yo u kn ow yo u ve n ever asked me to danc e

e t t s o t o r y , so you mus do some ime

’ o th e rf

’ n if h a en t o see o u t n n The , I pp y s a di g

a n t to - n t t y ime igh , Miss Smee h , I shall h t O e o t t . t w I p have ha pleasure O her ise ,

n ever e ngage a you ng lady before

n ha d .

’ t— n n t A w o w t f . ll righ ell , , do orge

A nd the n n w w nt , da ce bei g over, a ay e h s w t S t air as if. S e Miss Es ie i h a por ive , 1 MISS DAISY DIMITY . 97 was longi ng to clap every other ge ntleman i n h n th t e o e too . room shoulder,

’ A n d I o u w n t f t hope y o orge my galop ,

” t G ne t n n Miss Dimi y , echoed ascoig , ur i g

i n t n to h s t . par er All rules have excep io s ,

u n w n it yo k o . Whe is

“ Hush Pleas e take me away s ome

” w e a u d I w t o u n t t her , ill ell y a o her ime , w s in t m nn hispered Dai y, a mys erious a er .

“ That you ng lady in black there - wh o is

? a t s o t n She She looked me s ra gely, as

” o u it t f t n y spoke , qui e righ e ed me .

n Gascoig e looked quickly .

I t ” d is a Miss Black , he sai , as he led w her a ay .

Cr- r- r ! at t t nt ha mome Miss Black ,

n t w t t passi g hem i h a careless air, s epped

’ ‘ o n tt wn t n o u t Daisy s pre y go , eari g a yard or two o f gathers ; a nd goi ng o n without

n a ppare ntly perceivi ng what s h e had do e .

The girl in ques tio n had a very t igh t 9 1 8 MISS DAISY DI MITY .

w t t t t so t - i n a t the n s ais , igh skir s , ied k ee sh e w t t could hardly alk s raigh , very red

a n d s n n s t o e e lips , curiou black li i g her y

rovers to t s m t lids , hem , as Es ie S ee h i . wa s t sa d Her black hair cropped shor , a nd te o n o n e an d s par d side , her black eye — had flashed a gla n ce although that must — have been th e effect o f imagination which ’ ft t if made Daisy s so flesh ra her creep , as it fe t th had l e evil eye .

I did n o t k n o w you were such a n easily

” f t n tt ne t l righ e ed li le lady , said Gascoig , s il i n his happiest vein his n ose havi ng now

t an of t t assumed qui e air pro ec orship , as he looked down o n the small partner o n hi s who w t a a nd m n arm , , i h sigh so e pi s ,

t n had made th e damage righ agai .

w and sit w Well , ill you come here belo th e stairs ? I t is quite an arboreal retreat

t f in t an d o ne n - r hree uchsias po s , i dia rubbe

nt pla .

2 00 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

w n w t t Here, Sho i g her ris like a spoil child (o ut o f her teen s) .

Y o u f t t t o n orge ha you have a glove , s o h o w c a n I see it ?

A h w —t it t n n ell here is , ur i g back a

t n o f an d w n t n t por io glove , sho i g a i y scra ch ,

in obviously made by a p . “ Horrible scratch—poor little wrist !

” Shall I make it well ? in la nguid e st drawl .

Shall we go i nto the te a - room ? a sked

n t t n s o to Gascoig e , by his ime risi g , as

n o e n n hear more eav sdroppi gs . The , as t w nt n n hey e , he as sudde ly smiled upo

w t t b ut Daisy , i h some suppressed laugh er ,

t n f o w also a posi ive i crease o colour . (N

why should he have felt i ncli ned to blush

a t sho wing some especial interest i n his

companion ?) I heard to day from two

old ladies of somebody else wh o had a

t rm n t t the scra ched a . I hope si cerely ha 201 MISS DAISY DIMITY . w n n ot n t n ou d is very da gerous ei her , si ce

” n o f it o ne sees n o sig s .

b ut n n t . Daisy smiled bravely , said o hi g

Her wou n d wa s ban d aged u n der a long

and it t at t b ut glove ; did hur imes , she

it n t h e n w t . I S said ever a ord abou s ead , began telling Gascoigne o f the begi nni ng a nd e nd o f that famous expedition to

n fe e the t market . Gascoig e pro ss d deepes

nt t in t t n th e i eres Gala ea, as he chris e ed

“ ” n n A nt an d t n dummy, scor i g u Sally , hi k in w t tt d an g Miss Black ell , jus a li le

n —for t gero s she migh be vexed . There n ever wa s anyo ne whose habit it wa s s o to

ut f in the o f t p himsel place o hers .

A nd n o w his promised galop .

t it f fo r n Wri e yoursel , my pe cil is

” t t los , said Daisy, ligh ly .

“ t n o t f of n Wha , are you a raid my seei g a ny of th e secrets o n this card ?

N ot at the all . You may read all 2 20 MISS DAI SY DIMITY . n t n h w . S e ames , i h childish j oyous ess f t tt n e el so u erly, i d scribably happy . — Gascoigne slo wly r e ad seve n times th e name of Lee ; silently restored Daisy her card .

She felt as if a cloud had darke ned her

n W t wa s th e tt ? H e summer s u . ha ma er

n sat nt s at sile t . She sile .

2 04 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

f w t n nf ollo ed his every mo io pai ully, as he

flitte d n th e n n tea—in rou d room , bri gi g

— ' order to make n o o n e jealous to two o r

w t f r t o . hree ladies , i h jokes each

n unn o n th e t was Colo el D , o her side ,

kin dly trying to force s ome win e o n a little

w - f w n who nt eary aced oma , had evide ly

n o nce bee pretty .

’ n w u o t o u You k o , yo ve g a headache ; y

n t — d as the l s s sa o w o it. Come o a se d o ; y

’ ” lc l no b ut ta it. T he n wa s t , ( co o el Sco ch ,

an d very fo nd o f th e shre wd sayings of his

t - t n w tt w t mo her o gue , hich he u ered i h a

t o f hear y burr relish . ) “ W hat a capital proverb ! S aid Ga s

n w th o ne o f t w coig e , i hose slo smiles

nt to d if t n Daisy had lear drea , direc ed upo f “ h . t e sa n o hersel Do as lasses do ; y ,

b t—d o it u .

was nt not n to was She Sile , dari g ask MISS DAISY DIMITY . 205 h e — l t n n of cou d he , be hi ki g her card ;

n n t n lo gi g o explai . — B ut ho w could sh e whe n no o ne asked her to do s o ?

“ t n n un n Well , ha ks , Colo el D . For my o wn t to e n par , I should like go hom soo , b ut my husban d will never come away so k ” . e n th e tt early He li s da ces , said li le t w n w t ired oma , i h a querulous voice ,

t n th w ne accep i g e i .

Who is that lady Daisy n o w hazard

n n f n sh e t ed aski g Gascoig e , eeli g mus say

et n a nd w t t u som hi g, i h a mos ridic lously

n timid ma ner . th f f t M rs . e w o Tha is Burke , i e

n w s aw o ut t Colo el Burke , hom you here

” n th t u der e s airs .

What wife o f th e man wh o wa s flirti ng

w t u tt so busily i h Birdie . Tho gh li le Miss

t n t n w w e Dimi y said o hi g, hile her eyes er 206 MIS S DAISY DIM I TY . t n n w t n in hus ope ed , she k e by some hi g

s o fine it n his voice, could hardly be give

n t t th e t t wa s in the a ame , ha same hough

n h e t man mi d o f t e qui beside her .

B ut u p came Lee t oward s her gaily

n ba nishi ng reflectio .

Poor Miss Bro wn e rose Slowly to i nter

t w w n it cep him , hile her eyes a dered , as w f w t t f f ere , over his ace , i h a pi i ully oolish gaze .

“ ’ Y ou have n t on ce asked me yet this

n n w n t eve i g, she hispered solem ly, s op

n a pi g his w y .

“ S o wn Y o u will sorry , Miss Bro e .

’ e won t ou ? —b ut m xcuse me , y y, card is

” nf tun t t f ! n w u or a ely qui e ull a s ered Lee , terribly embarrassed (though of course he

n v t n f n e er los his prese ce o mi d) .

M wn n - iss Bro e gave a gree eyed , de

S airin o fa n h er p g l ok, broke her across

n and le t it w h er k ee , drop eakly by side

208 MIS S DAISY DIMITY .

The las t thing both partn ers s aw wa s

Gascoigne quickly an d quietly handing a tumbler of cold water to th e agitated

t n w n group , a hi g hich obody else had t f though o .

On w t the n w ! i h da ce , ho ever

t n n wa s n tra - - a s The s ri g ba d goi g la la, if no Mis s Browne wa s sobbi ng i n the n ext room .

Poor Lee a n d Daisy felt like culprits ; b ut t i n t w it wa s hey agreed , guil y hispers ,

“ best to keep o n dancin g as if n othi ng

” n t n had happe ed . So , hough people bega to n at t a s th e gla ce hem rumour Spread ,

t nn n e w n - u t o t Lee kep spi i g lik a ou d p p , ill his little partn er seemed to see the floor w n to a n d w f n r avi g up her , a ay rom u de

a nd t in t n her, her hear seemed ris g , s oppi g her breath so that sh e could n ot eve n gasp f o r mercy .

tw n w t of n o Lee, be ee hiles, could alk D I M I 'I 'Y 20 MISS DAISY . 9 thing b ut excusi ng his conscience ; s o that

w she f t t to Daisy , ho ever much el he ough

e n th e tt a t t w be grossed by ma er, las gre

secre tly very weary o f sympathising with

the false positio n in which this much - to

- b e t t A n wa s . pi ied , mar ial do is placed

’ The ev e ning s cup o f joy n o w began to

t t of th e t n n wa as e e dr gs . Cap ai Gascoig e s

“ ” n o n n t r wn lo ger ice o her . Poo Miss Bro e

w a s mi serable ; Daisy bega n to think she

t to o in t wa had bes be miserable ( a secre y,

o f e cours ) .

A sh e wa s in t t the s his dejec ed mood ,

“ seco nd handsomest man in th e British

” fo r n Army came his da ce . He puzzled

w t n e w t — t e w t her i h a s ep as he ook car , i h

to t e it was—w to pride , ll her hich seemed

co n sist in stand i ng still fo r f ully two

n a nd t n m n nt n ! seco ds , he aki ga ge le bou d

A short successio n o f these leaps a nd

bou nd s was soo n enough fo r D aisy ; who

I I V OL . . 21 0 MISS DA ISY DIMITY . wa s f of n w t a raid doi g like ise , les she f t migh t bou n d o n his ee .

I n th e i nterval s he also i nsisted o n talking of n othi ng b ut th e Browne epi

w d st who f t sode , hich i ressed poor Daisy el almost guilty ; a nd wa s anxious besides to

h n f veil t e weak ess o her sex .

Colo nel Burke spoke in small whisp e rs that made him seem ashamed o f what he wa s n t h e n n t to b e sayi g , al hough o ly mea

n n n n i si uati g . His se te nces always seemed

’ tryi ng to wriggle themsel ve s i nto o ne s mi nd ; while he tra n sfixed his partner with

n t nt o f w h a co s a gaze his black orbs , hic seemed to an s wer in his o wn estimatio n t “ h ” o a steady fire upon t e e nemy .

’ So you don t like me to lau gh at Miss

wn ! f t n d if Bro e , he he he so ly co fide , as they had a state secret between them ; t n n n t to in he ope i g his mou h laugh a queer ,

“ n m t wa B ut sou dless, equally ys erious y .

2 1 2 MISS DAISY DIMITY . — — m a n which made it worse ve nturi ng to

n press her ha d .

m n t o w f I ea gro old mysel some day ,

she , w t n nt n t an d said , i h mag ifice dig i y ,

’

t . sailed back o Mrs . Cox s side

The dance gave her no more pleasure — n o w only sh e strai ned her eyes to th e

d . wa s o ne et t t oor There galop y , ha m t t t n to n n igh res ore all hi gs glad ess agai , if ~

t n it I bega went on ! Couples whirled .

tn r n No par er appeared fo Daisy . She bega to feel as if the eyes o f all th e roo m were

n a nd nk n t o upo her, shra behi d Mrs . Cox

the n t t t o w hide imagi ed , errible sligh hich

he a n n n s w s bei g so u ki dly subjected .

A t t n nt the w las , Gascoig e e ered door ay . w Daisy hid closer . She hoped he ould n ot see a t n o w n far her all , si ce he had so n t But in n eglec ed her . five more seco ds

she heard his voice overhe a d (literally) ; MISS DAISY DIMITY . 2 I 3

h ers being so d rooped with the weight o f

su n his pposed scor .

“ I thi nk this is the galop you kindly p romised me .

Without a breath of reproach the meekest o f small creatures crept o ut of her retreat

n t t t n a d s ar ed o da ce .

n t n O e turn . Cap ai Gascoig ne did not wal tz to please th e are na so well perhaps

n a s Lee . His dan ci g wa s so qui e t it could n n b ut it wa s n n the ever be co spicuous , o e l an d ra i a t fo r to ess easy ent n n that . As h S e t t it tt . Daisy, hough u erly paradisiacal

wa s n o t t n n w n the There errible s rai , k o i g re t t n o f th e t n e tc t pu a io bes da cer, . , migh be marred by her awkward ness ; n o feeli ng t t n n t w ha admiri g , e vious , cri ical eyes ere n ff h r But n if n o e . ever ( i deed , Gascoig e

f n n o n t had shu fled blu deri gly her oes , all th e t sh e w n ime , ould very likely have bee a lmost equally happy while d ancing with 21 4 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

f him . So oolish a nd illogical is the femi n in e mind

A n t t n—a nd the m t o her ur usic s opped .

Oh is it all over

f th t t I am a raid a I came up very la e ,

“ t t ffl But n . th e said Gascoig e , ra her s i y f is n t . w to et ac , poor Mrs Bro e asked me g

wa s her carriage called , so I sure you would no t be ann oyed a t my d oi ng such a

n n o u n small ki d ess . Besides , y have da ced with a s omuch better partner than myself

—w t —t i h Mr . Lee hat you will hardly regret n ot n n t n w th havi g had a lo ger ur i me .

o w wa s the t t o N , surely , ime say some

‘ t n H o w n t h o t . w w hi g complime ary, s ee ly ,

gaily flattering had n ot Daisy bee n such a

tt tt w ! t n n ot li le, li le hile ago No hi g came ;

w t she not int n ow t t a ord . Migh h ha

t wa s an o f t e his s ep , like m y his o her a com

lishme nts t t of m an p , ha a

“ h b ut se es to s e . W o can, ldom car hin

2 1 6 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

t n n i n h a n Cap ai Gascoig e , as I came his

’ s o m . n t w nt f Why, you did a me be ore ; I s a w t w t an d th e t e you all righ i h Lee o h rs ,

’ you you ng hypocrite ! Cheer up . I ll

o u n t n I a t give y a gra d ur , promise you ,

” R A OU B LL .

B ut in Spit e o f that fratern al re c o mmen

d t n w n t n m a io , he Daisy Dimi y o ce ore f ou n d herself alo ne in her little roo m in

S h e sat wn th e e Magdala Villa , do by dr ss

i n tab le ut o n s a n d g , p her head her arm ,

b ega n t o cry ! Cried after having da n ced

n t t n n and n n every da ce ha eve i g, havi g bee

“ n t t o n a n d ff co gra ula ed her success , cha

” ed abou t Smiler Lee by both the Smeeth s

a nd the a s t n re all Coxes , hey had agai

’ s in th l - as embled e ladies c oak room . Cried — as if S h e had never crie d before ! B ut

as all wome n kn ow what a relief a n d al

mo t n t n it t o w a nd t t s co sola io is eep , ha M I D I M I r' Y ISS DA SY . 21 7

Daisy was one o f those soft souls wh o weep e a le t u s t t n n f t sily, hope ha by mor i g she el

ll h f n f a t e better o her mid ight grie . X CHAPTER I .

“ Le s t l e s s te te olda bail ou la n ,

L e te t sur le t ma lo illac,

’ BieutOt ils out a e te te l m cou n , Avec la pip e d e tabac ;

S t t s v e t une e e i pour an ur i n b ll ,

’ l iustant le oe t ti c u tac A c ur fai , ’ ’ Et L A mant oublie a upres d elle

’ J us u a e d e t q la pip abac .

’ a th Lu x ton n c w s e day o f Mrs . s pic i th up e river .

Three or fou r boats - full of th e party were pulling up th e s tream ; by meadows where th e cows grazed knee - deep in butter cups ; by cherry orchards rou nd tiny ham

t t - w the w le s ; by grea reed beds , hich ild

h un in h n ducks a ted t e wi ter time .

220 D MISS AISY DIMITY . d a n t th e o f the t y, had i vi ed ladies par y

wh o w f t in t to ere aires heir eyes , grace t t - t w heir rim buil herries .

’ in r n o u You ll come o u boat . I k ow y

” w t t t un ould like ha bes , yo g Lee had said

t o s o n th e w n t t n Dai y, pier, he s ar i g . He f t t e t w n f t el ra h r hur he she re used ; hough ,

n t e f to o t si ce h ir amous ride , his grea a rdour fo r Daisy had imperceptibly cooled

” a n d t wa s n t nt here Miss Le Hu , a cou y

t w n m e t onl two beau y , hom , havi g y days

a o n to . g , he had already begu admire

Poor Smil e r ! He really felt that he loved all his old flames as much as ever ;

’ b ut then h e loved th e n e w on es t o o ! I t i s a hard thing whe n n ew frie n ds appear

' ’ o n n fe - n th t o ne nn t o e s li horizo , a ca o have d n n a nd t a n d t n t a ces e ough , ime oppor u i ies fo r tt nt n n u h to the f n s a e io e o g , keep old rie d f f n t t o ut nt the rom eeli g hrus i o cold , a n d their friendly rights filc he d by the 2 MISS DAISY DIMITY . 21

n O nl t f- n l n t . a d s ra gers y by sligh sel de ia , th e remembra nce that the sis ter o f his

all t th e chum had claims above o hers , did

Smiler give that i nvitatio n with such true

n t ge ial warm h .

w no t o th So Daisy ould g wi him . No

tt n t not t t ma er . Miss Le Hu did hesi a e ,

u n nt t h b t spra g i o his boa wit a will . Lee

’ could n ot b u t remember that her father s

onl o ff t place , y five miles , mus have good partridge - shooting in September ; a n d with o ut bei ng in cli ned to toady a ny girl fo r

t to f ul erior purposes , he said himsel he d t n t n early loved ge ti g good shoo i g .

I n the t f n s f large boa , Daisy ou d her el w t the Lux to ns n nn th e i h , Colo el Du , old

S ilve rth o rne s a nd e m e n . A n Miss , som mo g t men a t the f t en d t Gas hese , ur her , s ood

Ho w o ne w o f n n coigne . ( weary gro s cra i g

’ n to n a t man s t t rou d gla ce a figure , ha — n turns to lanc e at n f et ever g o esel y , 22 I 2 MISS DA SY DIMITY . h ow u n i ntere s tin g th e loveliest river scene compared with th e back o f a grey tweed

t ! t w a n sui ) Besides , here ere good ma y

n o t n people whom Daisy did k ow .

” t ? of Who are hey she asked Fuzzy ,

wh o wa s n an d s at amusi gly demure , close

by her side .

nt m —m nt Cou y , y dear ore or less cou y .

o f t in n th e to wn Some hem live villas ear ,

with two acres of demes ne and b ig c ou

r t ri t a re th t n s e va o e s . The res e real hi g ;

t an d rookeries, damp old houses , mor gages ,

t n in the f a - a skele o amily cupboard piece .

aren o m e n ft in the n There , hardly, le cou

tr th e t e to o f y, so dau gh ers lik have some

the garriso n society like the rest of u s

t wn B ut t ll far poor o speople . hey are a

a u s— iu t o wn t n bove heir es imatio . They

have mostly all gran dfathers and grand

m others ; O r (if some o f the villa people

h f t t t t ave come rom Aus ralia jus la ely) , hey

4 M ' 22 MISS DAISY D I I rY .

’ Why ! fo r worlds I wo uldn t b urde n my conscie nce with any u n welcome truth that m t t n nt fib w n th e e igh ur i o a , he peopl here ask m e abou t your family and cou n

‘ r t f t . o y sea My dear , you have a grip

’ ’ the soil to o —t t n ! ! t e , ha s e ough Oh her

nt of in t wn t f are ple y people M ars o i sel , b n and w an d t wh o a kers , la yers , doc ors , i nherited th e highest circles of ready made clients an d s o forth from their f t f t wh o a hers be ore hem , have all grave yards full o f gran dfathers that would beat those of th e villa people i nt o fits (if

thiu l B ut t . ghos s could do such a g ) , though they kn ow the cou nty people to a certain degree (there are some of them i n t t t t t to t o wn ha boa here) , hey keep heir

’ - t t c a nd d on t hum drum respec abili y cir le ,

n w us n e w- o f a k o comers some years go .

” : Ha ! w t o o d m hum oure d et t r , ha i h a g . y ra he “ v u t exed la gh . I is a fu nny world MISS D AISY DIMITY . 225

I hope that profou n d philosophical

wa s no t m nt to t t remark ea be kep a secre ,

” ’ M G n iss Cox , said ascoig e s voice close

n n t th e t t behi d , maki g bo h girls s ar . He a nd Colon el D un n were smoki ng n ear the

a nd the t n f t boiler ; , boa bei g small, a ac

t f tt n o ne n o t bo h girls had orgo e , could w o ve rb e arin un s o ne w ell help g , les alked overboard . Daisy blushed Fuzzy laughed louder ; both wo nderi ng ho w much had

en be overheard .

“ We were o nly talki ng o f th e clique s a nd sets t hat people in Marsto wn have .

’ Is n t it stuff

“ ’ ’ A a ! t b ut b ree diu s y, y Bir h s gude ,

” tt th e b th e be er, as prover says , cried

n w th n t lanc e a t colo el , i a ki dly cover g

s w n c o nfe s Daisy, ho i g he had heard her

“ n f B ut w e e sio as to her gran d ather . h r

will you go a nd n ot find th e same thi ng

’ I n every place I ve ever bee n quar tered

I I V OL . . ! 2 2 6 MISS DAISY DIMITY . t w w t n w here ere circles i hi circles , like heels

” withi n wheels .

n n Yes , i deed , echoed Gascoig e .

That remin ds me o f a n attempt a t a military sermo n I o nce heard a t Dover f n tt t n wh o wa s rom a you g pe icoa perso ,

n o n th e t of n di s coursi g helme salvatio . He

‘ th e m t t n said , So hel e , my bre hre , looks

wn o n th e and the s do shako , hako looks — down o n th e busby ! A n d aud N o t rememb e ring what could possibly come

ft th e us o t — so a er b by, he g very red he

’ n f n A an d . e ded up , me , airly fled

n wa s in n t the Whe I Dubli , hey called

ff nt t e an d tt di ere se s cr am , milk , bu er

w nt in fo r b tt . I t milk e u ermilk, quo h

wh o t f m Jack , had j us come up ro discours in th e t w t w to t g s oker , i h a vie prac ical kn o wledge .

“ t i n f r k ! n o tt . Eh , eh , eh We bu ermil

’ t t n t n w t he Come , ha s ho es . Do you k o

2 28 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

Daisy did n ot k n o w it ; b ut sh e felt a nd

’ looked so happy a t Gascoign e s h avi ng at

t t t m t e las addressed her , ha he igh hav bee n just as well satisfied had n o t Fuzzy bee n misguided e n ough to rem e mber h e r f t t amily role . Hi her o she had bee n com

arativel an d n t p y demure , really more a ural ; b ut n o w she w t an ff t at exclaimed , i h e or

tn smar ess ,

“ l h o w m en w We l, you do al ays play

‘ ’ follow the leader ! I f I were sitting

n n o w n o t o ne o f w e alo e , , you ould com

’ m ! ft n an d ft n re n ear e . Oh o e o e I ve

f u t t B ut marked that o yo wi h o her girls . because o ne gentleman comes n o w,here are

” t o f t all hree you . (She qui e overlooked th e idea that th ey might have come o n

’ s n Dai y s accou t. )

There may be some truth in that re mark ; b ut as I d on ot wish to be accused o f t n s u t t ke ac i g like a silly heep , I m s a 2 MISS DAISY DIMITY . 29 t he n t a nd t t n t t hi depar ill a o her ime ,

n w n s n nt a s ered Gascoig e , relap i g i o his — former gravely courteous air and th e

t t s n ow n o t fo r b e smile ha Dai y did care ,

’ t a d u to cause i w s everybo y s . He sed

t ff nt ne fo r have qui e a di ere o her .

There ! He wa s go ne away after havi ng

n n n H o w t e o f o ly spoke o ce . ir some Fuzzy

n t h s f t Of course it wa s o i aul .

’ A lump rose in th e little girl s throat a n d th she t n h e r to , ough ur ed head gaze

’ ove r the boat s side a t th e lovely river

w n s a w t w n an d vie , She o ly rees avi g up

wn t it wa s w n e s w do , hough a i dl s day, hile the herds o f comfortable British cattle

e e n in t t s med grazi g a Sco ch mis .

Jack and the colo nel were no w both busy expatiati ng o n the chances o f wild - duc k

Shooti ng i n the back waters an d sedge

t t n th e beds heir boa passed . E grossed by

o f t t t f tt n charms his opic , hey had orgo e f n n t emi i e socie y . 230 MIS S DAISY DIMITY .

Fuzzy sat pouting at her blan dish

nt n n me s havi g bee overlooked .

o n the nt men to be Daisy , co rary , liked m e n a s in h e r o wn n it , mi d she phrased ; a n d not w n - n dra i g room lou gers . Of

n t i n t wn sh e course , si ce her s ay Mars o , had Sometimes (especially of late) felt s he would dearly have like d to pour all her

’ t nt t n o perplexi ies i o Jack s bro herly ears ,

n B ut ft s o Polly bei g by . , a er all , she

t o f w o nl t sighed hersel , he ould y ell her s he wa s making hersel f unhappy about n othin g ; he could n o t u n derstand it wa s n o t f u t n t t his a l , o ly ha

e are w e men are men . Wom n om n,

A n d n t t m n n h , o ly ha very or i g , suc a lovely fa n had come for her ! without a word of

explan ation ; far more lovely than th e one

wn f tt n to t n . Mrs . Bro e had orgo e re ur A marvel o f mother - of- pearl a nd painted

232 MISS DAISY DIMITY . f or and w nt to nt to you , I a i roduce you all t he county girls

So said ; and so do ne .

Prese ntly Daisy fou n d herself being i nt roduced to all th e people whom it had b e en sin ce years th e ambitio n o f the Coxes t o n w n wa s a t a n d k o . The she cooed

s the S ilve rth o rne s wh o cares ed by Miss , had only that mor ni ng dre ssed her sore

n t it wa s the f n arm . These spi s ers ashio to pet amo ng th e cou nty girls ; though

“ t w so t s n s aged , hey ere sympa hi i g, uch dear old ducks th e mothers added they were f f h l o . N ow t e O d such good amily , ladies

related all the particular s o f h ow Daisy h ad n th e f bee saviour o Fido . — ” Dear Fido he is such a sweet ! e nth u

sia stic all th e m tt y exclaimed si ple , li le ,

n n seco d Miss Le Hu t .

Darli ng Fido I could steal that

d o in a n the g, chimed Miss Norm by , ill 2 3 MISS DAISY DIMITY . 3

rm anb d ressed heiress o f No y To wer .

“ —I t s Poor Fido loa he lapdog , as a rule , b ut is tt s t s he a jolly li le bea , declared Mis

s h n s one o f De pard , a a d ome , bold gipsy ; th e pe nniless daughters o f Sir A lure d

th e t - n t i n Despard , mos blue blooded baro e

h nt t e cou ry .

A s they congratulated Daisy on her a w

” f ul a nd n e c n t pluck her a g li co duc , Gas

“ ” n who n n t at t coig e , had bee doi g du y his

e nd of the boat hitherto with c on sc ienti o us self- de nial (Si nce h e so seldom perform

t t s f t t t ed such socie y ask ) , el ha his eyes were n o lo nger impelled to wa nder s o e nvy ingly to where Jack a nd th e colo nel were

Slaying the wily mallard in prolonged c on

s t n t at n nt ver a io . S ill he s early sile ; or

co nversed almost apart with Miss Patie nce

t n Silver hor e .

n n The you g ladies , havi g received Daisy

nt t - w t i o heir high bred circle , ere secre ly 4 23 4 MISS DAISY DIMITY . i nclined to co nsider her a s we e t little

’ thing (ho w much fo r her brother s sake we will no t in quire) b ut regre tted to each other that she wa s staying with people o f such d r full b a d t B - n d - b n t ea d . a y s yle y y, appare ly paying Daisy th e complim e nt o f ove rlook — ing her o r else looki ng o n her as o n e o f — themselves they bega n to con verse amo ng themselve s .

“ “ nt I Oh dear, cried Miss Le Hu , fe e l as if I should lik e to do something

” t - f n u t n t w o . I s o . ild day eel a gh y , augh y

” A n d f so d ! h I eel bad y , baddy ec oed

n s n . Miss Norma by, cre ce do

A n d f s o wick e d wick e d e nd I eel y, y

d f t . ed Miss Despar , or issimo

’ Then they all laughed at each other s

it w .

n t nn nt Daisy ope ed her eyes , mos i oce ly ;

b ut then presumed to questio n in her heart

t w t t t wa s ft r o f hear s he her his socie y , a e

“ 23 6 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

a s havin g lost somethi ng of th e gran d air

o f t —o r w n t ffn heir day , he s i ess became

the t s n w mode , said heir o s ere dull dogs , w t n t in t i h o sport or jolli y hem .

T he t wn n l to o t Mars o you g adies , , migh

well plead fo r themselves that they were — as to behaviou r what th e ce ntury and sur

n n t n t rou di g circums a ces made hem . Was i t their fault if ge ntleme n blamed them for t h e self- s ame amusi ng free - an d - easi ness o f

manners fo r which most sought their

t n t ! socie y . Surely o t altoge her From t e l n n t ime imm moria , cy ical ma hood hus

’ n has rail e d agai st woma nki n d s frivolity .

I f wome n would b ut choose t o form o ne — g reat league thus me n are wont to say

t th e w a nd m hey could rule orld , ake u s a n d all things better a n d purer ! Wome n

n w w t an n t of t t : a s er, i h equal amou ru h

I f me n t m w t chose , hey could ake us ha they pleased “ MISS DAISY DIMITY . 237

A nd n o w w t the n w , hils you g ladies ere

t u n t t t wic k e d s ill la ghi g oge her over heir y,

wic ke dy wit ! a nd exclaiming i n rallyi ng

“ ” ’ t n ! n t t t o es , Oh , Celia Is ha like

? a n d s o f t nt n to Delia or h , Daisy , ve uri g

’ s aw t t t n n look across , ha Cap ai Gascoig e s

w tw n n a nd f b ec om eyes ere i kli g, his ace

i ng some what red - bro wn ; just th e colour

cooks give t o th e outside of potato pies

w t - h o t n i h a red salama der .

“ H t n o w do you ge o whispered M rs .

t n wh o wa s an d t n t Lux o , here here amo gs

th e t a n t o f n n par y like erra ic beam su shi e ,

t n n th e in t n brigh e i g all groups ur .

“ ’ N ot I d n t n w t m very well . o k o he

w n to n t n t e ell e ough u ders a d heir jok s ,

”

t n n nt . perhaps , re ur ed Daisy , co fide ially

I w t t to ould much ra her, please alk you ,

o r th il h rn e old Miss S ve rt o e s .

“ I wa s f t w Well , a raid hese ere hardly ” l M r h ux to n o w. t e t s . y our s yle y , lau ghed , A I ' I M I 238 M ISS D S Y D T Y . — I k n ow fo r I wa s brought up i n the

nt f and n r w nt to cou ry like yoursel , eve e school to lear n th e a rgdt o f most school t t t girls . I some imes makes a wre ched

’ outsider feel a s if they were talki ng thieves patter ; though it may be all very u nited a nd in fo r t N o lov g hemselves , come ,

e is tt b ut w o u her a girl a li le older, hom y — ” will like Mi s s Goodchild .

She introduced Daisy to a dreamy - look in w t t t ut g girl , i h good clo hes ra her ill p o n her ; her h at frequently Slipping down o n one o f I VI n n side her head , g g her mea — time a rakish air she sometimes put it

“ ” s t t b ut th e n ft raigh , heavy Rube s so ly

k n slipped bac agai . As soo n as Miss Goodchild fou nd that

D ais wa s t n t to yg a s ra ger, she ried make herself agreeable . She began to do M ur

’ u for th e v r a nd t n w n ray s G ide ri e , he , he

240 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

’ other s hands rather in th e manner of Mis s

’ — ! ate Gre e na way s little damsels th ough t nn nt- hey were hardly so i oce looking .

Daisy could u n d e rstan d that and though

wa s n ot - n f she very book lear ed hersel ,

wa s —a n d fe t t t said Polly l sympa he ic .

Those three were all a t school together ;

th e a e tt they are same g . I am a li le

a nd nf t n t th e n older, , u or u a ely , am o ly girl a t f t t the home . My a her always ha ed idea of girl s goi ng to a boardi ng - school w nt o n n tt e Miss Goodchild , sighi g a li le ,

b ut n ot to o n n . much , over her lo eli ess

se e t e w t t a t So , you , h y al ays keep oge her

o r t nn - t a nd e t o wn balls e is par ies , hav heir

s. e o f to joke They are v ry civil , course , m e w n I to o n t , he have courage g ear heir

’ clique ; b ut still o n e can t help feeling ou t

” in th e cold .

Daisy grew still more sympathi sing ; she had a k nack o f maki ng this feeling of hers 1 MISS DAISY DIMITY. 24 f t w t t n n w t it el i hou usi g ma y ords abou .

So her n e w companio n wen t o n

“ ’ t n n w o ne n t t Well , he , you k o , ca ell ge ntl e me n eith e r about th e thi ngs o ne — r e ally like s s uch a s the clothing club o r

’ v i siti ng th e sick villagers ; it s no t thei r

n to n w n t n t it A nd provi ce k o a y hi g abou . eve n the other night a t the barrack - danc e

I wa s lon gi ng t o talk to all my partners

’ abou t th e Earthly Paradise that I am just readi ng ; b ut they would have though t me

b ” n i f t so lue . A d t is d read ul o be called

’ n t it blue , is

“ ! e s n w s w w t Oh y , a s ered Dai y , Slo ly, i h profou nd con viction o f that truth ; the n

“ w t n ls B ut I added , i h a sudde impu e , thi nk I kn o w some o ne wh o would n o t have thought you to o blue for doing s o ; s om e

o n e who like s eve n us womanki nd to Show th " e best that is in us .

wh o —P t r No , Do ell me You

R I I . V OL . 242 Y MISS DAIS DIMITY . brother ? —I like him very much already

” ut I t f f b am a lit le a raid o him .

I t is w an d said Daisy, slo ly she blamed herself fo r a grudging feeli ng in t t t w . her hear , ha made her speech so slo

” I n t t n G . is , Cap ai ascoig e

’ Ah ! I don t kn o w him yet ; b ut the n

I t et to n w t d I mus g k o him o ay . Yes ,

l t r A n d w t M t n . shal ell s . Lux o so ha a

n ft n n it w fo r lovely, lo g a er oo ill be him and m e to have a ta - alk

The boat had grou nded again st the

n nt t n the t w o f ba k, i errup i g las ord Miss

’ o o d child nt n A n d n unn G s se e ce . Colo el D

n to s t — r we had begu hou , Hallo he e are here we are ! A nd n o w everybody must — — P ? ge t o ut ge t o ut ge t out

2 4 M 4 ISS DAISY DIMITY . wa s a n n ope grassy space , overarched by monarchs of th e wood stan ding deep in f n w th e wa s t a n d er ; hile grass shor ,

w t w th t n o f w s ee i hyme , by ba ks hich

“ th e t t t n ; slipped rou s ream , slidi g , gleam in n n t t nn n g , glidi g , as si ge h Poe Te yso .

‘ Here it wa s proclaimed the pic nic should

e be h ld .

‘ A n d n o w n , you you g people may all

ff I m n o th e nn go o . ea t have di er all

’ r at an d f t t I eady five o clock, be ore ha

f f M r w s to se e n n o s . i h o e your aces , cried

t “ n . N o n o Lux o , gaily demurs , please ;

t n n a n d n objec io s . My husba d Colo el

Du nn are going to help me ; s o amus e yourselves depart vanish

’ t n n if A a . Ge . t y, y alo g We do care — we never saw a ny of you agai n excepting — ” always th e ladies th e ladies ! cheerily

n nn n n nt n e hallooed Colo el Du , e di g his se e c with an i ntonation o f most abject apology 24 MISS DAISY DIMIT Y . 5 t o the f sex w t t t air , hich he al oge her spoil

- w n at n n w th by a side i k Gascoig e , addi g , i

“ ’ a I t s to c e e vil chuckle , aye gude be , as

the auld wife said whe n sh e cur tseyed to th e d e e vil

“ l t t to t n s e o . . Plea e me s ay , Mrs Lux o

I u it ! so h tt t n Sho ld like , oh muc be er ha

” n w t the t m in goi g i h res , i plored Daisy, a

whi sper o f such si ncerity that th e merry hostess looked rou nd a t her in some w n o der .

“ A S you please ; b ut really are yo u q uite s ure yo u would n o t rather go w t n d r t n i h A M s . Lux o surveyed t h e e t n d par i g groups .

w nt t f t f l fo r There e Smiler Lee , s ill ai h u , th e t h ime to his mistress of t e day . There a n w nt th e w t gai e Coxes , i h M ajor Hodge ,

’ n n and t n O D ono hue y ou g Jo es , Cap ai g to whom Jack had this day reli nquished

B w t f t . irdie , i h marvellous acili y 246 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

t n w nt . There e Mrs Cox , ra her ervously keepi ng n ear som e of the greater ladies ; a nd tryi ng to i nterpolate some mild re

n the s n th e we t the marks upo ce ery , a her, f l nt t n t n u n oxg oves , i o heir co versa io po — mu tual acquain tan ces whe never a ny o f

h n n them gave t e poor woma a cha ce .

“ I n d t n n o f t m w t dee , here are o e he i h

” w I to d i s hom care go , plea ed Da y,

n t k n r w t tw n ear es ly, loo i g ove here jus be ee

wood and river three figures we re disap

p e aring ; Miss Goodchild walking betwe e n

a n d t in tt r Jack Cap a Gascoigne . The la e

t n nt t had j us bee i roduced o her by Mrs .

Luxto n ; and sh e h ad eagerly b egun to

” nt v w r t too i er ie him , a her much , per

o n f t t w t c haps , her avouri e opics ; hils Ja k

nt n f had appare ly go e a ter his frie nd . — — A nd all three ho w u nki n d l h ad

tt f tt n t n u erly orgo e o ask Daisy to joi them .

Mrs . Luxton watched the directio n of

248 S A MIS D ISY DIMITY .

e an d t n n w berri s i y gera iums , hile

T h e h ot noise of b ees

e th e Lull d bright flowers .

” t w t w n ? Miss Dimi y , ha is ro g asked

’ n w t nd Gascoig e s voice, i h a shocked sou ,

h er in th e t o f a o f above , mids small gush sobs .

Daisy was so startled she sat bolt up .

ht t n w th o ne w ft n h e r rig ; he , i s i gla ce, hid weeping blue eyes an d quiveri ng fac e in

n t ft o - n a frie dly u f water mi t .

" ” I — I t n No hi g, she murmured ,

n h n t n . w t choki g back her sobs T e , i h ca chi g

t n a t th e m nt a nd brea h , plucki g bravely i

pretending to p ut it to her n o strils with

intense relish ; though it smelt worse than

’ “ n w nt in I eve old ives peppermi church . — ” have o nly been enj oying myself a lone I

o r wa s t Did her ears deceive her, here

the fai ntest sou nd like the begi nni ng o f a

d n t nt P laugh overhea , i s a ly checked MISS DAISY DIMITY . 249

I S it n o t rather u nki nd to prefer

e njoyi ng yourself alon e whe n surely your frien ds would be o nly to o glad to be — ” allowed to s hare your your feelings ?

“ a nd ss d and a ll o Jack, Mi Goodchil , f

ou w nt w a nd n n t t o f y e a ay, ever eve hough

” n wn a t t t n me, breaki g do ha remembra ce a n t n a n d she gai ( hough i audibly , , as hoped ,

s t a nd n t t re ecre ly) , havi g surrep i ious

n f course to her ha dkerchie .

S te t no w t t p, please , Miss Dimi y ; ha

” t w h o w tt n w t it j us sho s li le you k o abou ,

nt t n n for b ut i errup ed Gascoig e , pai ed her,

to fen f far really roused de d himsel . So

f t t n th e I t t th e rom ha bei g case , hough all

t t u w n th Lee ime hat yo were alki g wi Mr . ;

a nd when we m et h im an d Miss Le Hu nt

a t e - t s a nd t t no one n w som cross pa h , ha k e

a n t n o f I t n to s ee y hi g you , ur ed back here

w t o f ha had become you . No— really 2 50 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

I Yes , did .

H ow good of yo u

This last as sertion Gascoigne wa s a ppar

nt too t to e t to o n t to e ly modes echo , y ho es

t th at contradict . So hey bo looked each

t w t n a n d an of o her i h beami g eyes , air

t f t n extreme mutual sa is ac io .

Lee n ! o u t t Mr . i deed So y hough

I n t t n w had go e wi h him . Tha o ly sho s h o w little you kn ow abou t what yo u were t n of w nt on w t w t alki g , e Daisy, i h a s ee

ff n o f t an d tt of sco bor grea joy, a li le air

n t ne t reprima d qui e w o her .

“ h o w n n t ? re Well , could a yo e ell

t n n w t n . ur ed Gascoig e , i h humble happi ess

t n n f t n ht at the Cer ai ly, judgi g rom las ig

7) dan ce

“ Oh ! what does it matter whom o ne

” n t his da ces wi h ? cried Daisy . He had

n m ut wn on f I a e p do my card , be ore ever

” n — ft k ew I wa s so vexed a erwards .

2 52 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

A nd so he makes you th e co nfidan te o f his t tf loves . Wha a deligh ul idea

On w t n n wh o was hich Cap ai Gascoig e , b y thi s time Sitti ng o n the thymy grass

’ a t it f t t Miss Dim y s ee , laughed hear ily .

A nd ttl t who t li e Miss Dimi y, had qui e r f a nd t t n ecovered hersel her uprigh posi io ,

t o laughed o .

n t s o n t o f nt Her ha ds smel as ily mi , She n ow must n eeds go down three paces to th t a n w t A nd e s ream d ash hem . Gas

n w t n m t n coig e , i h a lazy groa , us eeds — d rag his lazy le ng th thus far no t to f orsake her again .

There wa s a little break in th e ba nk

w h t d d n t here s e s oope ow . The wavele s washed over gleami ng gravel ; midstream

t was t n s of n w t here a i y ru h eddyi g a er, b ut ye t th e rippling tide wa s clear a nd

s w no t n n . hallo , deeper ha your k ee

n th e tt n was a t t Behi d Si i g couple hicke , MISS DAISY DIMITY . 253

beyo n d this deep glade . Right a nd left th e shel tering woods Stretched up their gree n wide - spreading heads to the s ummer sun w n rn t t t , hile u de ea h heir s ems made l t h t t . t e coo , ca hedral vis as Opposi e , across w t a n n f t a er, oak coppice , broke by aggo

s a nd nt pile cleared spaces , sloped ge ly

w B t n h . u t an d up ards beyo d his , ere t l o f a d w here, by he p dips n hollo s , could

n t n t nt w o f be see some i y , dis a vie s a f t w s ar her orld ; ome hills , a Spire or t wo .

” Ho w i s ! tt lovely summer u ered Daisy, looki ng up the ru shi ng river ; a n d a t the

n o f th e t w t the t n r gree glory rees , i h e de gleams of eve nin g sun lyi ng o n th e cop

and the w n s t o f the pice ; idely, ki dly a pec

t k illimi able s y . “ f th There is a ord here , quo Gas “ n nt I w s I n wn coig e, irreleva ly ; i h had k o

n that last Winter duri ng the hu nting seaso . M 254 MISS DAISY DI ITY .

I t o nce would have spared me a long ride

n rou d .

T h e track winds d own to th e cool stream To cross th e S parkling shallows there T h e cattle love to gather o n their way

t wh o u let me t Miss Dimi y , y do y quo e

poetry ? What a prig yo u must thin k t m e Y o u should s op m e a t once . “ — B ut I like it . Why do yo u not do

” s o w t t ? n n i h o her people ope i g her eyes .

N O yo u are the o nly person w ith

w I far f t m f n o w to hom so orge ysel , , as

” talk j ust as I am lazily thi nking .

n o ne— n o w t The o ly , repea ed Daisy,

a n w th c t ddi g i mock jealousy , se re ly real ,

“ ” Then there was some o ne else !

n a t Gascoig e looked closely her .

wa s—m tt te n o w There y li le Sis r, dead

with whom I used to sit by j ust such a n o

t n her river a d talk as idly long ago .

A few moments of sile nce ; the n D aisy

s aid ,

256 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

They are still cooli ng in th e water

They are reposing i n th e silver streamlet

” t th t t n o e very ut ermos mome t .

They a re lost a nd weltering in the fl d t n th e n n nt d oo re ur ed i dig a ame , laughing heartily as sh e ran down to

’ rescue th e cherished juice of Fran ce s fai r

“

n . I n n n t provi ce plai E glish , you bo h forgot thenz !

n th e f t n n I t n not The eas i g bega . eeds be told with detail h o w all th e ladie s s at rou n d th e cloth or re s ted their plate s on f n l w st the nt n rie d y hampers , hil ge leme ,

’ w t n n t o t in t s by ai i g upo hem , g each o her

o w th n e way. H e champag e corks popp d a nd th e w n - s s f t u i e gla se ro hed , propped p

h n in t e grass a t i fini te peril of being upset .

H ow everybody would e a t o f o ne especial

n - to th e t and chicke pie discovered be bes ,

d espised cold duck a nd fl outed pressed

f b ut in t l and bee , revelled lobs er sa ad , 25 MISS DAISY DIMIT Y . 7

t e t t began to fe el sa ed over goos berry ar .

H o w th e mi s si ng couples that slo wly d i n l t w e f t a nd ropped as er ur ively eyed ,

n w n comme nted o with hispers . The a lull

e an d n the f t n wa s e cam , plai ly eas i g ov r ;

e e t f o r th e nt an d t n who xc p serva s boa me , ,

the n o f th e t n fe d w n o w lio s par y bei g , ere

like th e li ttl e jackals comi ng to pick th e

n o f h f s t bo e s t e ea .

A n d b y- a n d - b y again the party bega n to

break up i nto two s an d three s ; agai n they

sho wed i n clin atio n s o f wa n dering f a r from

th e maddi ng cro wd ; o f lovi ng to stroll in

t s t s we e oli ude .

“ Y o u have s e e n n othi ng o f the beau tie s

- of th e w a n d the n et . ood , up river ba k as y

I ff m e f in o u M ay o er ys l as guide , case y

” c a n find n o better o ne ? Gascoign e had

to w t a n a ir o f w - b e said Daisy, i h ould

t w a o f n w n n e doub , hich smile i ard co fide c

nt t co radic ed .

I I V OL . . A 258 MISS D ISY DIMITY .

A S if it were possible to fin d a better

’ Daisy s heart had e agerly cried o ut ; b ut sh e nl e a n d o y demur ly dropped her eyes , said she would b e very glad if Captai n

n to w the wa Gascoig e liked Sho her v.

h a d n h e r o f Jack give a look broad ,

t n y n n w t bro herly i quir , a rallyi g gri , i h a s ide glan ce o f u nn ecessary pity towards th t e Smiler . Daisy firmly re si s ed the e nticemen t t o con fid en ce o f th e se blan di s h m nt a nd t to if n t n e s , ried look as o hi g particular had been proposed ; while her

w re d - t n a s n e cheeks gre i ged her am sakes , a n d her heart an d her feet almost da nced —F— as she qui e tly we nt af ter the rest b ut sid e

n by side with Gascoig e .

’ Al n w - t s a n d u the o g ood pa h , p river s

w nt a nd e dge they t wo wandered . They e they went

T th e e w s hrough broad , gr y la n , ” n A s down th e red su sank .

X CHAPTER III .

” e es ! e X e h w t w e Oh, H rcul cri d nop on, ha ond r ful consequ enc es you attribute to a kiss D o you marvel at my doing so inqui re d “ ” n ot w h e t e S tes . ocra And do you kno , con inu d , “ t t th e t t t s z e it i s not so e ha aran ula , al hough in i larg as t et its t st es a far hing, y , if mou h only j u com in con t t w t a i t w e s o ut w t ac i h man , ar him i h pain , and ” dri ves him out of his sen ses ? — ’ M emoirs of S ocra tes XEN OP H ON S M emora bilia .

w t t l w wa s w ft HE a er, hough sha lo , s i

an d s parkli ng an d th e steppi ng

t n w wet w t s o es ere i h Spray .

n t m t a n d t n Gascoig e crossed he firs , ur ing a t each ston e to hold ou t a hand to his l tt n n in w n n i le compa io , said , ar i g ,

They are slippery ; take care ! H o w MISS DAISY DIMITY . 261 th e rest would laugh a t u s if we were to

e t we t ! t — t I h g S eady Miss Dimi y, s all

st t n s if scold mo reme dou ly you Slip .

n th e n e f n o w an d He gai ed ba k hims l ,

n a h eld o ut both ha d s . Dai sy w s o n the l a s t s to ne ; b ut th e e dge of th e bank was w tt s t a nd t o f sh e e e mos Slippery all , so e e it t n —fe n y d doub i gly ari gly .

A s n at t b ut w t f nt t pri g las , i h a ai hear , n ot far e n s o she lit on t s ough , reacherou s f and t s n u t ur ace , , hough Ga coig e had ca gh h e r h n n er fe t wnw . , e bega Slidi g do ards

f w t Be ore , ho ever, her shoe had almos t th e w t f e t n th e ouched a er, be or more ha

o f f t was we t sh e wa s ft sole her oo , li ed u p

n n i n t wo strong arms o firm grou d .

Did Gascoigne scold as he had threate n

M r n ? ed Did he remember s . Gru dy

In t it t o t t s ead , seemed hem bo h ,

w f n to his t n t ho ever oreig quie a ure , a nd t n t o t t t o n ex raordi ary rela e , ha 2 2 6 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

’ the nt mome s impulse he kissed Daisy .

I t wa s n s o t n so sudde , ex raordi ary ,

s to t t t t it such a surpri e h em bo h , ha

e w s emed like a dream . The hole walk had been d ream -like ; b ut this stra ngest

of all !

if in to o t nt n e As a dream , , some dis a ois

t t t a n d to s ar led hem , Daisy seemed Slip

from his hold a s if he had only grasped

a t tt n n o n t a li le su beam quiveri g wa er .

’ ’ e w st t m e C e Lik a fa n do hou fly from , hlo ,

e w t t st th e - t s Lik a fa n ha , a ray on hill op , H er sh t e sses see s y mo h r mi and k ,

V a e s e th e eez e th e est gu ly car d by br and for .

the n in th e of Verily maide s days Horace ,

t the d t o f so t n al hough augh ers s er a race ,

w n o t so ff nt ft f t ere di ere , a er all, rom hese — — o f no w- a t wa s t t n t t days . Wha ha oise ha

terrible n oise ? A woodpecker tapping a

’ w t n t t— b ut th e old t hollo ree . O ly ha poe s

description o f virgin al Shyn ess still resem

’ e n n bl d D aisy s e wbor alarm .

264 Y MISS DAISY DIMIT . if w nt in t o ft Daisy ere ve ur g li her happy ,

’ f t n d righ e e eyelids .

l— Too late in another moment th e ru s h o f t k a nd s t n s a nd a h tt al , que io , g y c a er o f the rest seemed t o surrou n d a n d overflo w the m ; b ut the n they two felt like dream

t n t fo r n t people , qui e u fi comm o alk .

“ ” Where have yo u bee n ? a s ked Miss

n a nd n n he r Goodchild , comi g up , li ki g

’ a rm t ff t n t t s s qui e a ec io a ely hrou gh Dai y , t “ t o dra w her apar . Your b rother a n d I — hav e had su c h a d e lightful walk we were w h n so to w th us b ut we is i g have you i , forgot to look rou n d f o r you till we had

' n W e h a t gon e e arly a mile . d wha I call

ta is s o t v a really good lk ; he apprecia i e , — your brother though h e may n o t have a

f m e n t creative mi nd . O course all ough to t in nt c t a n d w n re be crea ive i elle , ome c e tive b ut t t t n s t p ; here mus be excep io , mus there not ? and I do s o love originati ng 2 5 MIS S DAISY DIMITY . 6

o wn ns fo r an d my pla our village people ,

n m o wn s t a n d maki g y ke ches , my embroidery

m n t d s n a nd t n n o w t . e ig s , hi ki g y hough s

n t I tr tt n n Eve , some imes , y se i g hack eyed s o ngs t o my o wn little compositio ns ; do you e v er t ry that ?

“ ” s f n t No , aid Daisy , humbly, eeli g s ill

t i n w . not ra her a hirl I am clever, like yo u ; I n ever tho ught o f a nythin g n ew in f ” my li e .

“ Ah ! b ut that o nly s ho ws yo u are i nte nsely femi ni ne ; quite a true woman t I ype . t is so refreshi ng t o meet people w n t t for s o ft n hom a ure has made ypical , o e

s n n - n a nd She merge her gra d bou dary li es ,

tt t f o r n t n e reverses her a ribu es , as i s a c

t a nd m s elf t your bro her v . (Daisy mu ely l s fo r w ooked up surpri ed , Jack had al ays bee n to her an d Polly the type o f all th a t wa s ma nly ; whilst really Miss Goodchild — n o w if she would n o t le t her h at slip 2 66 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

— s o rakishly t o o ne side had most dreamy e a nd th e f o f n t nt t yes , ace a ge le e husias ,

“ t n n n - n wi h othi g stro g mi ded there . ) I gave your brother a fresh lesson in geology t s ft n n w nt o n hi a er oo , e Miss Goodchild ,

wh o n nt o n cheerily , , o ce mou ed her hobby w wa s a t nt it hich Jack prese , gave a

f t off ro u sing gallop be ore she go . I

v n e nt th e u nt m f b u t ha e o ly l ar r dime s ysel , n othi ng is more improvin g than t o teach

n t n a nd sa was so a o her perso ; , as I y, he

” t e apprecia iv .

! tt e ft wa k Geology u er d Daisy , so ly, ing up to a sen se o f every - day m atters

“ n k t r i i n . fo t agai Why, Jac passed firs

s t n t n n ot ome errible exami a io . He may

n n t n have ma y accomplishme s , such as si g i n o r w n b ut t t n w g dra i g, ha he does k o

” t u h oro ghly .

“ ’ Y ou d on t say said poor U na

f n t t . Goodchild , horoughly cres alle

2 6 8 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

n th e an d to t n ear fire, his Daisy had bee d wn n e w f n a nd m to sit ra by her rie d , ade

wn w t w w n n do , hils her eyes ere a deri g, — wandering b u t the n Captain Gascoigne “ ” 1 will brin ou some tea h e had said , g y , h f w h e r t ea w in imsel ould carry , hile Jack, a wa s w t n o n humbler degree, ai i g Miss

Goodchild .

I f a nyo n e else had said those words they

would have seemed most u n important ; b ut

in a m an like him - an d the n that littl e

“ b ut thrilli ng acc e nt o n th e yo u

H o w tt n m t u erly, co sum a ely happy you

do look ! What does make yo u s mile s o

” t o your self ? s u dde nly ask e d Una Good

d w t an n e t chil , i h embarrassi gly clear, y

m n l t a e tal y ob u s e g ze .

O n th e t e o f th e w o h r Side logs , hile Daisy

a n d nt wn i blushed looked sile ly do , vo ces

w n n to t l ere o w heard . Easy e ough e l

whose voices . MISS DAISY DIMITY . 269

No ne o f your moo nligh t sce nes in a

t fo r —h a w h a w u th e small boa me, , , la ghed

nt t n o f the n t corpule o es galla Hodge .

“ Tho se wood s were n ear e nough playing

h t t e m f w t s . n o ischie i h hi child No , ; ! t n ha k ye . “ — — I thi nk it will b e a w da ngerous to

m t t o o ut o t o n th e ri y heal h be s la e va w .

e it w b e wf w w i n Besid s , ill a ully slo ork

t t n in wa I t n ha lau ch , every y . is o ly a

f e to th e t wn n t n mile rom her Mars o Ju c io ,

a nd if we t the wn s we , ca ch do expre s ,

shall have time fo r a game o f whi s t to

’ n t n w t n O D o no igh , la guidly dra led Cap ai

h u g e .

“ ’ man to o s t in th e I m your , , ruck deep

“ l o w o f n n Y o u s ee voice you g Jo es . I d ” must be back early o n accou n t o f uty .

“ ” t ! nt ! the Capi al Ha , ha , excelle cried

“ ’ t n h e t o f th e res . We ll all regre t leavi g t res

party b ut we are obliged to go back early 2 70 MISS DAISY DI MITY .

o n nt o f . n t accou DUTY So sayi g , hey

t w a nd a nd n e w s alked a ay, Daisy her frien d looked a t each other .

Are n ot all m e n horrid emphatically ejaculated th e latter .

e n th e Well , r ally bega dubious

t fo r the n o f Daisy, qui e grieved base ess m n n a ki d .

Will you h ave some te a ? asked Jack a nd G n a t the nt of t ascoig e, same mome , bo h girls .

S o th e recrean t warriors were seen to depart with much u n spoke n sorro w o n th e

t o f th e s a n d m p ar Miss Coxe , some urmur

n h f r n o t e t M t . ed displeasure par o s. Lux o

“ I hate me n breaking up a party like th t sh e n t to a , said vi dic ively , aside Smiler

“ t if t Lee . Why did hey come , hey did

’ n ot like it ; I m sure I did n ot particularly

” w nt t f t a hem o all o hers .

“ u t n I n t . o Cheer p , Mrs Lux o ; am

272 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

H o w guilty both h appy people felt o f b ei ng self~ surrou n d e d by a n atmosphere o f

w t t n to n a t e love , hils ryi g look rou d ev ry on e else with a n as s ump tion o f u tte r ign ora n ce o f any such f eelin g ! H o w both s ecretly hoped their i nward feeli ngs might

t n o f the t s escape all observa io cold , ou ide world

t h e t w nt o n the n n So boa e , as eve i g

s u n s hi n e faded i nto rosy greyn es s ; a n d th e

water slipped a n d flo we d arou n d a nd o n

with them ; a nd th e moon be ga n to Sho w

faint b ut ever clearer gleams o n wood a n d

river .

The you ng ladi e s wer e n o w all Surrou nd

ing a nd gazing a t Smiler Lee like s un

w t n n to the s un an d wa s a t flo ers ur i g , he

’ the highes t h eave n o f his day s j our ney ;

e n o n all tt n s s o b ami g , emi i g small joke

l a n d nst nt h e f t gai y co a ly , seemed a per ec

f nn m t u y i railleuse . Y 2 MISS DAIS DIMITY . 73

n o f t o f the d n U der cover his , as ark ess i n a wooded be nd of th e river through w t t was n no o ne hich heir boa passi g , heard Gerald Gascoign e a nd Daisy softly — begi nni ng to Speak a t last !

“ n t You have e joyed his day, have you

” —o r n o t ? s nn n in t ne he a ked , begi i g a o of pre tty certain joyous con fiden ce that — she b a d te mpered by a secon d thought o f t n t more doub i g humili y .

“ v nd in the Oh , very , ery much i eed , v s t of n we n ery malles a s ri g voices .

“ Do you re member whe n I fou n d you enj oying yourself a lone

To this the o nly an s wer was sham e d

n sile ce .

“ A nd whe n Shall I Se e you agai n ?

Do you k now that I m u s t b e goi ng

w to - w ? w nt o n ne a ay morro e Gascoig , in t o f t t n f n w s a sor pro ec i gly o d hi per, which in every - day life he would hardly

T V OL . I I . 2 74 Y MISS DAIS DIMITY .

n o wn have recog ized as his very .

A little moveme nt like a start came o n this .

“ n w ! — st m d Goi g a ay Daisy j u urmure ,

“ feeling much as if he had said I am s nt n t o t n t fo r f a nd e e ced be ra spor ed li e , yo u shall n ever see m e an y more

“ I t n f o r five t w n t is o ly days , hough , e o n th e n man un n s n you g , co sciously a sumi g

n t r t n of w t f o r a co sola o y o e voice , he her

f o r a n t nn t himsel her w s o clear . I ca o

l it S e e a n n f n well he p . You u cle o mi e

me to o a n d e s n has asked g hav some fi hi g ,

nd t I f n wn so I wrote a accep ed . I had k o

” t n ut i ff I almost hi k I Should have p t o .

I f he had kn own what ? B ut perhaps we must n o t i nquire to o particularly i n to t nt n w nt his se e ce , hich seemed i elligible e nough to the two person s most interested — though i ndistinctly thought uttered so lo w that ho w Daisy heard it wa s miraculous .

2 76 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

t n w t d e t t- n n not o es , i h a ismall s hear si ki g

w a t h ho ever all revealed by t e voice .

ft ! ! w t n a t The day a er Oh ell, he

t e a t d n t t lea s w shall have our l s a ce oge her .

This wa s said with almost a cru el ton e o f j oyous confid e n ce ; ign ori ng her small

f n s fe an d bruised eeli g , her quick ars , bud

n n e — ho w e di g, crushed , u speakable hop s lik

m an —h o w m an l a very , very like a

“ s f ? I e Hallo , Dai y, are you dea hav been shou ting at you fo r th el a st half

” ’ in a n d hour, broke Jack s voice , cheerily

l lt o f n t nt rude y hea hy , void all moo ligh se i

“ n t t a it t t t s me . Wha w s ha they say ramp , u pstairs a t night a t Elm Hall ? Here are the Miss S ilverth o rne s want to kn o w

“ ” w n t t o n w m n We a k o , y dear , bega th e two tt n e nt s I n sterS t li le a ci p , Sligh ly a t t a n d n t t t gi a ed speaki g oge her, hough afterwards they helped each other out with “ t n t t of th e s nt n e al er a e bi s e e ce, becaus 2 MISS DAISY DIMITY . 77 y our brother has just me ntio ned that your

wa in a l hire w home s R oy s . So e are very

” nt t in n t t t much i eres ed heari g ha , ook up

“ h r t e t e . ou to o o h r For old home , , used to t w nt o n th t t e a nd be here , e bo oge h r, t hen th ey fell back i nt o chirpi ng an tipho ny

n A n t agai . d yo ur bro her has j u st bee n te lli ng us o f a traditio n i n your family tha t a foo ts tep is heard going upstairs in your h a t n t—w t us ome mid igh hich is mos curio , because th e s ame thing us e d to be beli e v ed

” o r said by th e s ervan ts in our old hom e .

The foo tstep is suppos e d to be that o f a fo rmer servan t in th e house an old m an who wn s f in fit o f n dro ed him el a a ger ,

u t o n t n t w a n d b e bro gh by ea i g s e ed eels , c his w fe th e w no t ause i cook, ould give

him a n t n w s . y more , quie ly a s ered Dai y

A n e xclamatio n o f as to nishm e nt broke f t the tt o ld s a nd t e n rom bo h li le ladie , h

t r n bo h held up thei ha ds . 2 78 MISS DAISY D l M I T Y . — H o w stran ge h o w extraordinary !

W h t t th e t e to t y, ha is very ale us d be old

n l I t wa t o f m T ho r va e . s our old ho e , bough

o c e — o u e o f by a Mr . J y did y ver hear him , my dear ? - an d the n we heard it had pass

But n n o f n s ed o ut of his ha nds . havi g rie d

ft in the nt we n ot of le cou y , have heard

” o ur for t t n t old home hir y years , e ded bo h , i n t n f n o es o sad ess .

! t t wa s the n e o f Joyce Why , ha am

’ my gran dfather my mother s father part

n e r o f m t n f t e H e t y o her gra d a h r . bough

t a n d t e n we in for Elm Hall firs , h came

” it nt nt t n t s , blu ly i erposed Jack, rela i g hi f t in a n o ff- n a amily his ory ha d w y .

T ho rn ale t v e s . ej acula d Dai y Why , — that is that wa s th e very n ame o f o ur

Elm Hall before grandfather changed it

n a lo g go .

The two M i s s S ilverth o rnes drew o ut

t n e f w t e heir laced , large ha dk rchie s i h v ry

28 0 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

N o w what wa s to be do ne ?

I t soon became equally plain that n o t n n t t t t hi g could be do e , excep ha hardes — o f many things have patien ce a n d keep

’ o n e S t m I n two a t t th e e per . hours mos tid e (for this wa s a tidal river) would float them again ; meantime they could s till c omfort themselves with tea or stronge r

h o t th e e o f th e bre ws made by h lp boiler .

They all determi ned to b e good - humoure d !

A n d t n n n n n he , havi g bee led i se sibly

’ i nto this vei n o f thought by Daisy s story — o f Elm Hall o r bei ng s wayed thereto by the n n of n t n t a nd i flue ces igh , moo ligh , all the mys teries o f n ature arou n d them that mus t be kn own to ru nn i ng river a n d n obly — ancient woods some o f th e party began to t k of t f t n t U na al ghos s , oremos amo g hese

Good child . X CHAPTER IV .

H ow gen tly rock you poplars high

st th e e se S k Again r ach of primro y,

’ With heaven s pale candles stored

ISS GOODCHILD wa s a ghost

f n o ne a cier . No could be more

n t a nd n connoisseur in ear es eager a you g , a nd t o f t w t collec or , bogie ales , rai hs ,

- n a nd rO h etic double ga gers , p p dreams

t at nt r t n wh o suppor ed prese by M s . Lux o had a great de al of volatile sympathy .

m en o f s ff tt b ut The course co ed a li le , w w n n t n ere illi g e ough t o lis e .

So they all discussed ligh tly the famous

t t t t e v n w th e ghos s ories ha erybody k o s , 2 2 8 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

Beresford ghost the mo nk wh o appeared to a l ate emine nt church dignitary o n accou nt of a confessio n o nce betrayed ; the curses which cling to some titles like dis

n d f t B ut a a s o . greeable heirlooms, or h everyon e s eemed shy of telli ng a story t s t who t h hemselve , ill Miss Goodchild , houg

n n s b t e w n ge erally pe ive , ecame exci abl he

f t t w n n her avouri e opics ere co cer ed , offered t o take the lead a nd wa s loudly applauded Jack Dimity giving the Signal fo r m t n n accla a io s , Si ce he admired her k pluc .

Meanwhile th e three cou n ty girl - frie nd s s at t t in w n wo n oge her a hisperi g group , deri ng that U na Goodchild should alway s say and do things unlike themselves which wa s their way o f accusing her of the sin of

n t origi ali y .

The Coxes on th e other side formed a f w t the amily group , some ha dashed by

2 84 MISS DAIS Y DIMITY .

My gran d - u ncle had bee n se nt a way

’ from home when a child o n his mother s

in d e t a nd b t at . a h , rough up school Paris

f th nt in th e nt His a er, a cou , lived cou ry,

a nd seemed n e ver to wish to have th e boy

r A t t n h fo . w t e home his holidays las , he

n m an o f a e a n you g came g , he received

i nvitation from his father to go down a n d

s ee him at t at to t n t heir old ch eau , ra sac

n n some ecessary busi ess .

“ The you ng man looked upo n his father

as a hermit a nd a misanthrop e ; so we nt

with feelings of some awe a nd n atural

t b ut fe w nt t n o f curiosi y, very a icipa io s

in th n nt H w pleasure e comi g i erview. o

wa s w l n b the ever, he el e ough received y

nt in the and cou gloomy old home , advised

to o g early to rest .

“ D uri ng th e night the you ng man awoke ;

a nd by th e light o f the moo n was horrified t o see a female figure stan ding at the foo t MISS DAISY DIMITY . 285

n a t o f his bed looki g fixedly him . This a ppari tio n h ad such an effect upo n his n t t n tt w erves ha he could o ly u er, hile

‘ n t n w graspi g a pis ol u der his pillo , Who

? ’ e I . are you Sp ak, or fire

“ The spectral vi sio n slowly shook its head wi th a n air o f in tense wo e ; b ut rai sed its n to i ts t n tw e t ! ha d mou h o ce, ic , hrice

t n n t s ill remai i g mu e .

’ The you ng man s n erv e s were over

t n th e ff t o f n n s rai ed by e ec s his lo g jour ey, th e strange nes s o f his meeting with his father afte r a separatio n s o lo ng wo ndered a t a nd the n n of t re , i flue ce his gruesome p

n e so e n n t —h e t se c , se mi gly super a ural los

ns a nd f n t his se es ai ed .

“ n n n f n f Whe mor i g came , he ou d himsel still in bed ; a nd n o trace wa s to be fou nd i n his suite o f rooms o f th e ghos tly mid n t v t w t n to se e igh isi or . Ho ever, reques i g his f t l a to t a her, he humb y sked leave qui 2 86 MISS DAISY DIMITY . th e fe n t —an d t house , eli g s ill ill rela ed

h n what e had s ee .

f t wh o at t The a her, had firs seemed o nly suspicious an d ann oyed a t such a r t e on n o f th e t eques , becam , heari g ghos ,

t n n ex remely a gry . He laid solem com m ands u pon his s on n ever again to breathe

' to human bei ng such a n o nsen sical sto rV

abou t his house ; a nd in great displeasure

d esired him certai nly to leave th e chateau

a t n b ut n o t to to t n o ce , presume re ur

without permissio n . The s on wa s so dis

a greeably afl ec te d by th e mid nigh t appari

’ t n a n d f t t n s io , his a her s s ra ge di pleasure

o n e n th e t t t t k th e h ari g s ory , ha he oo

tt at w — n d n la er his ord a we t away .

“ He n ever re turned agai n u ntil n ews

’ t th n t n came o him o f e old cou t s dea h . The

it became necessary to go h ome to arrange m tt a ers .

“ He found th e chateau in much dis

288 MISS DAISY DIMITY . wa s fou nd co ncealed in the wai nscot in th e last of that suite o f apartments in which the n m a n n th you g had see e ghost . They forced this door ; a n d fou n d to their horror

’ in the i nner roo m a woman s corpse o nly

te f s s in w the n man la ly li ele , hich you g recognized his mid night vision

“ wa s t w n n He s ill more Shocked he , upo f u t n s it wa s f un t t t r her i quirie , o d ha his

n t the nt t had bee ac ually cou ess , his mo her

— n lo g since suppo se d to be d e ad . His f t in fit o f a her, a j ealousy , had immured her here after havi ng c ut o ut her tongue this last accou nted fo r her powerless ness

’ to o n t t n t wh e n s he t speak , ha igh mus with difii c ulty have made her way to the

n n bedside of her o ly s o .

“ ’ I n th e i nterval between th e old cou nt s

t an d th e o f th e n o ne dea h arrival you g , t he servan t e ntru s ted with her care had

n n t robbed the hou se a d take fligh . The I MISS DA SY DIMITY . 289 poor woma n left shu t up was starved to death “ !” Bravo , Miss Goodchild exclaimed

n n n ft t f w Colo el Du , a er a shor pause ollo i ng this recital - whils t he rubbed his old cropped h e ad till it seemed likely that electric sparks would b e seen issui ng from the t s o f so wa s ip each hair, highly he charged with impatie nt excitability

“ e t t o ne W ll , you do ell a good ghas ly when you begin I will s ay that

t n t n wh o wa s Said Cap ai Lux o , a very

t m an w t t b ut quie , i h a very quie voice ,

tw n n very i kli g eyes ,

‘ ’ I t seems to me that Miss Goo d c hild s o wn story tells again st her theory . The

n m an t t s you g hough , like everybody el e ,

” — n he s a w a ghost a nd he wa s mi s take .

“ N o w t n , Harry, do hold your o gue ,

w f w s t the f r exclaimed his i e , hil air p eacher o f ghos tology looked rather disco ncerted .

v n U o . II . 290 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

nt of t t There are ple y rue s ories , as all

the w n w o f t . orld k o s , real ghos s Why

in t m should people have ever believed he , if there were n o ne a nswer me that ?

o f m n wa s n ot Yes , yes ; course i e a regular ghost story b ut there are plen ty

” o f true n Un a o es , said poor Goodchild ,

“ n t n f a t looki g ha k ully her ally . I have eve n thought o f collecting all the au thentic o n t me f n an d n es old by rie ds , publishi g

‘ them like T he Night Side o f — (Publishing such a n idea as if she could ! was expre s sed by Slight shrugs o f the

th f n t shoulders o f e air cou y clique . )

“ Pray do a nd call it th e n e w N o c te s

A mb ro sianae t n , sugges ed Gascoig e , cheer f ully .

The gentleme n would treat the subject w t e n n o t a t i h veiled d risio , all Shared by

h x t e weaker se .

B ut m t ft w s f im edia ely a er ard , a raid he

292 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

nt f the n — so take a prese o ha d I did .

“ A n d what did yo u s ee n ext night ?

n o n t t o f t t n; asked everyo e , ip oe expec a io h u as t e speaker pa sed .

n t t h Said Gascoig e , modes ly , houg his n ose raised itself with an air o f e njoyme nt t t wa s t t n ha really irri a i g ,

” n n I saw othi g . — Nothing b ut did yo u keep it lon g ;

” did you give it a fair chan ce ? cri e d th e

nt n disappoi ed o es .

“ I t it in m fo r w a nd kep my roo eeks , t have it s ill . What more could I do

e the n t meekly ask d harde ed here ic . “ A h w ! f n th e ft , ell your lady rie d had gi o f seco nd Sight ; b ut yo u must have too

” m t i an n t n t t a er al orga isa io , medi a ively

d tt n the observe Miss Goodchild , se li g matter thus to her o wn e ntire satisfac t n io .

“ k t o ne o u n w—the Jac , do ell your ; y k o MISS DAISY DIMITY . 293 h t ft orrible s ory, Daisy so ly urged her brother .

a n n t w nt t n Jack gave ho es gro l , i ima i g n o steppi ng before th e public fo r him tha n k you

“ ’ \Vha t s that little M is s Dimity says ?

n nn w tt n cried Colo el Du , ho ever ge i g more excited a n d deligh ted as each fresh perso n was nt nt t - t n so n e rapped i o s ory elli g, lo g

“ a n ma n f w s . o as he himsel spared Come , ; come o n as you ng Dimity still mu ttered

n o f n w to sou ds evasio , hich seemed come from as far away as those o f th e Egyp tian

“ Let t too . I S lady . us hear your ale , y our brother s colding you fo r betrayi ng

t ? tt him , Miss Dimi y , eh Tell him , Be er

’ s b a uldl o ut t n a e rum lin peak y , ha y be g p

n h n n f A d t e Colo el rubbed his ha ds glee ully , a s if they had no more feeling tha n dry

’ t a nd t n a s icks, , like Cap ai Cook s sav ges , f t he wa s t ryi ng to bri ng fire o ut o hem . 4 29 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

n in the Thus adj ured , Jack bega deep bass v oice that almo st s tartled people

n n t n n d co sideri g his ra her i co si erable Size,

“ W ell ! I heard this whe n I was in a

t n t t n to fo r mili ia regime , ryi g pass my

n f r h of the commissio o t e army . Some fellows remembered th e colonel a n d the oth e r two men it happe ned to ; b ut they

t w n w f t . ere be ore my ime The s ory is , he the nt wa s o ut t n n the n regime rai i g, colo el ,

t n an d o ne of th e n f a cap ai , you g o ficers were asked o ut t o din e at a cou ntry house .

“ u n th e nn th e n wh o D ri g di er colo el , had t n in th e o f the r ake lady house , emarked that his sub altern kep t looki ng a t thei r

t in wa an d f re hos ess a curious y, very

n t n que tly . He kep on doing this more a d

—t ft nn w n t w e more ill a er di er, he hey er

in in th e w n - it a s aga dra i g room , seemed

if n ot t off the l he could ake his eyes ady ,

296 MISS DAI SY DIMITY .

the t a nd it t n to all ime , seemed ryi g c ut her throat

Well ! o f course n either the colonel n or the other m an could belie ve th e you n g o ne was in his right se nses a t this ; so th ey co n cluded he had taken to o much cham

ne w n th th e o f pag , he ey heard gallop a

n t a nd n o ut horse behi d hem , , looki g , recog niz ed one o f the serva nts from th e house t u t ft hey had j s le .

“ They called o ut to ask what wa s th e matter .

‘ I am goi ng as fast as I c an fo r th e

’ ‘ th m an t s t e . doc or, said My mis res has j ust c ut her throat

’ Jack s story created a slight sen sation f t t the ladies el a disagreeable hrill .

n fo r the t wa s w nt A cha ge brigh er a ed ,

w n old n i t n the he Miss Prude ce S lver hor e ,

t n in n eldes , bega , a high , chirpi g voice ,

ow let m e t t ff nt N , do ell you a qui e di ere 9 MISS DAISY DIMITY . 2 7

t st w n to f a nd ghos ory, hich happe ed mysel

n ? my sister Patie ce . May I

Might sh e ? There wa s a cheeriness a bout her to ne that made the men believe sh e w t n w t wa s ould be ra io al , hile here also an air o f s incerity impre s si ng true believers with faith in her e arnestness of

th e ofl e r and th e purpose . They hailed ; o ld n s e f t n ft lady, plumi g her l some hi g a er the nn o f d t s n ma er a bir , hu bega

I n n t n a nd I w my you g days , Pa ie ce ere once in vited up to s tay in th e s outh o f

t n fo r an d t fes Sco la d , a large ball o her tivitie s to n in n u o f the , be give ho o r heir o f th n f e house havi g come o age . Some t n I f t no w w t to hi g, orge ha , seemed likely

e nt s o we w t w t t a nd prev us , ro e i h regre f re used .

I t n w in two happe ed , ho ever, a day or t t th e s t wa s a nd n e ha ob acle removed ; , si c t w t f n o f hese people ere grea rie ds ours , 298 MISS DAISY DIMITY . my sister an d I t hough t we might ve nture s till to u se their i n vitatio n ; so we wrote

n a nd t t on o ur n accordi gly, s ar ed jour ey

w e t an e tt i before e could g y l er n return .

“ wa s n o t in t There elegraph hose days , remember .

Well ; it seems some other friends had bee n ask e d to fill o ur places mean while so there wa s a diffic ulty about fin ding us

w we n n a nd f s room , hich , bei g you g ooli h ,

n nt te a s had ever co empla d . The house w cra mmed to overflo wi ng .

They must have th e small breakfast

’ r o ur n t a t t oom , ki d hos ess las said .

‘ While there is such a large party we m t f t of in the n n us break as , course , di i g

’ r t t wa tt oom . So ha s se led . “ — B ut then arose a question as we — afterwards learnt as to o ur b ed fo r n o t

o ne wa s to in th e a spare be had house ,

M l 3 00 MISS DAI SY D I T Y . — th e room which gave it a si ngular appear a n n n an d - t n ce , eve more solem bier like ha f be ore . “ t w n we a nd Never heless , he arrived , fou n d what pains they had all bee n at to

fo t we n t make us com r able , a urally ex pressed th e u tmost satisfactio n and delight w t h r i h all t e arrangeme nts made fo us .

A nd though poor Patie n ce whispered t o me that th e bed made her thi nk some o ne

t n in it migh have bee murdered , I praised its gloomy grandeur to th e housekeeper . “ An w t wa s n o t fo r yho , here ime qualms ;

sin ce that night th e great ball took place a t w h we n t we w ti o ut hic da ced ill ere red , a nd o nly went to bed n ot long before cock

crow .

n ot n e n in b ed an d th e We had lo g b e ,

wa s t w n b e house very s ill , he , as I lay t w n n and w n I f t t n ee sleepi g aki g, el Pa ie ce t a nd at th e t ouch me , same ime heard D l M I I’ ‘ MISS DAISY Y . 301 the n o f th e ft t n ha dle door so ly ur ed .

— — ’ N o w as you all very well k now on e s

firs t impuls e in such a case is either t o

’ call o ut in a hurry ; or else t o hold o ne s

t a n d t f t n A n d brea h , lie s ill very righ e ed . t this last is exac ly what we did .

ft f t t th e So , small oo s eps approached

d S w o n b e . A ell as e could j udge in thick d n t e n th e t o f ark ess , h y seemed u like s eps m an w n n ot n for the or oma , heavy e ough o ne m tt n t n t o f th e t , ore pa eri g ha hose o her,

n d t f s t n nn a here ore ill more u ca y .

e u s in n They paused besid Sile ce . — There wa s a cold gust o f air the n some

. thing seemed to pass before our faces wi th

w an d tt n o f w n imme di a ave flu eri g as i gs , ately after which all came over th e bed a

ft tt n it t th e w . quick, so pa eri g, as ere Nex

t n an d we w ft s eps receded oiselessly, ere le t n rembli g .

“ N o w I do n ot s ay that we were either 3 02 MISS DAISY DIMITY . courageous or cowardly ; j udge fo r you r

s elve s . “ All I k new well wa s that we were so fa r from a ny other livi ng inmates of that

t old n o fo r w grea house , calls help ould have bee n h eard by them ; so as scream

f n i n was . g useless I re rai ed Besides , I had o n w m n n and it ce heard a o a screami g, s t o h an n n eemed me suc u seemly sou d , th t if th e G n tt t to a , T HIN had eve a emp ed s t n u s t n in n ra gle , s ruggli g sile ce seemed f ” pre erable .

A ! b ut t n h he you are so courageous ,

n in t Prude ce , broke her Sis er . She may s ay she is n ot ; b ut She has the most m n n I arvellous e dura ce . Should have

n n b ut t t m give a pierci g scream , ha y h ” t roat seemed choked .

“ I v n n w nt on Well , may ha e e dura ce, e o ld t n w t n Miss Silver hor e , i h a small sere e s and m tt - of - f t tn o f mile , a a er ac quie ess

304 MISS DA ISY DIMITY . t t it was w t th e t t ffi t hroa s, i h u mos di cul y

I could hold Patie n c e quiet from hysterical

t n nt a n s ruggles . The all seemed sile gai ; an d after a little time I v e ntured to steal

ut to nn t in th e n o my head reco oi re dark ess .

‘ — I t is go ne cheer u p I whispered

n n t o wn wa s t e couragi gly , hough I I rem

f B ut t e n n m . bli g ysel poor , dear Pa i ce

n t ‘ I t n wa s trembli g s ill more . is comi g

’ I t n u n back, has ily cried agai , der my m ‘ b th t o t . t rea , y sis er Lie s ill ; be brave

But sh e n o m a n d n could bear ore , , losi g

n n r n v f t b ut co scious ess , emai ed ery per ec ly

n nt w for the t alarmi gly quiesce , hile hird time o u r dreadful nightmare came in pit a - pat ! This last time it crept softly all arou n d us ; b ut o nly gave one heavy p at t o each o f the four corners o f our horribly

nt n it n hau ed bed O ce more va ished , t n all was t ! A n d n o w t he quie , hough I have

” w t t not f nt t al ays pro es ed I did ai , s ill MI S S DAISY DIMITY . 305

—“ the old lady hemmed still I o wn to sinking i nto what yo u might call a comatos e

t t A nd t f t ne and f s a e . hus righ e d eeble

w b ut t n the n t a ake , s ill u der igh mare — ’ infl uenc e we lay till th e housemaid s

nt n tt n n th e tt e ra ce, ra li g ope Shu ers , roused u s to a state of light a nd living companion ship .

“ A nd t n slze t t a nd he gave a s ar shriek , and we w n t t , Slo ly risi g uprigh , s ared — u pon the b ed l and wlzat do you think we saw ?

’ Miss S ilverthorne s voice had become very slow an d distinct no w ; her i ntent

n for gaze , as She looked rou d guesses ,

Showed that something very strange in

met h er deed had eyes .

“ You saw bloody hand marks ! uttered

t w t nt t . Miss Goodchild , brea hless i h i eres

no it was d o n n it No , ; a g, depe d upo ,

” a nd his ws w n pa ere muddy, urged Colo el

I I . X V OL . I D Y 306 M SS AIS DIMITY .

nn t n f or tt r- of - factne ss Du , ho ly, hopi g ma e , though Miss Silverthorne gently Shook her

a a t he d him . — — I t wa s this it was that everyo ne sug gested .

Y ou w w t f un ere covered i h a eral pall ,

one t nt s t hazarded las adve urou spiri , t n t t o f n t n aki g a grea fligh imagi a io .

old ft a nd in The lady so ly smiled , , a s mall clear voice, said ,

wa s t and r f t There a clo h , a b eak as

” service laid out on th e tOp of us l

w t — i t n w at A ha Oh , Miss S lver hor e, h an t n w t imposi io cried Miss Goodchild , hils

t n t n an d n nn the Cap ai Lux o Colo el Du , infid elS n n and , exclaimed , Gra d gra d chuckled in a manner quite disgusting to

n all persons of finer spiritual organisatio .

The old lady now explai ned matters .

There h ad been a small page in buttons

kept in the house of her former hosts .

X CHAPTER V .

’ t is s ee S erchi o s st e Our boa a l p on r am ,

I ts s s are e e t t ail fold d lik hough s in a dream .

O o ne seemed inclined to tell a n othe r

ghost story ; so Jack D imity / went — fo r th e tea - tt a n d o f ke le , amid a roar — m asculine congratulatio n some s urrepti

i u l rum - n t t o s y brewed pu ch . These bo h made th e audie nce stro nger to bear the

’ i nformation ge ntly broke n to them a s f w t n t n ollo s , by Cap ai Lux o

“ ’ Here s a jolly go ! O ur old skipper

’ says we Sha n t be back till fo ur in th e

n n m or i g .

’ Four o clock ! and it wa s no w scarcely D I M I ' ‘ MISS DAISY I Y . 309

m n t . n n w id igh Groa s bei g useless , ho ever , th e male sex u n animously agreed that th e l t ut n t at adies mus be p u der par ial cover, l t n t he w t of th e w t eas , ear arm h boiler ; hils themselves should smoke and grumble aft

h n th t o t e partial satisfyi g of eir souls .

B ut first arose a warm discussion a s to who Should ho use th e di stant members o f t he party o n their fin al arrival in Mars

’ t wn n a t f in the l o , si ce our o clock sma l hours n o flys could be go t n ear th e land i n - g place .

! hyber Pass Road wa s the n earest

o f f a nd th e S ilverthornes place re uge , Miss

ff w t n o t n n t n o ered , i h , doub , i fi i e puzzli gs o f n to t in the n t mi d , ake all cou y people n two re ttv t a nd amely, suave , p mo hers , t f - nn d n r hree or our brusque ma ere , plai e d amsels .

B ut this more than crowded every a n o f in t r n ut vailable i ch space hei cosy, 3 1 0 MIS S DAISY DIMITY . s hell of a ho me and what wa s to be d one

w t U na ? . t n i h poor Goodchild Mrs Lux o , wh o wa s n in o f no livi g barracks , could be

’

t the att n . help , al hough l er s chapero — A t t . n n a n his Mrs Cox , discer i g excel lent little Opening for putting th e thin

” o f w nt unt t edge her edge i o co y socie y , — hastily whispered to Daisy the n receiving a nt ft f surprised asse , de ly squeezed hersel

’ up to Miss Goo d c hild s side and with an excellent h umility of hospitality offere d th e

shelter of Magdal a Villa fo r the remai nder

o f the night ; only regretti ng that th e half

’ o f Miss Dimity s bed an d apartment was

t n a n all her Spare accommoda io . T ke by

Una wh o wa s surprise , Goodchild , really

w w t to and be ildered ha do, had a very

f n n t n f too on ra k a ure , pridi g hersel , , hold

i ng liberal if n ot democratic society

n n —w t n t n opi io s , said , Yes i h ma y ha ks ,

t t a nd bo h o Daisy Mrs . Cox .

3 1 2 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

a which Jack rather weakly gave w y .

M rs . n nt Back slipped Cox , maki g elega

a s S h e tu in apologies , poor soul , s mbled th e dark over the toes o f th e cou nty

mammas .

’ n it ! I t n I ve do e , my dears hi k I have quite fixed our f uture acquaintan ce wi th w w t Miss Goodchild , she hispered , i h

n t nt n pardo able riumph , recou i g her ar “ r n nt A n d t n M r. a geme s . he I have asked

t to o —for nt t et o n Dimi y, evide ly hey g s w ll t t o e oge her .

A t this th e u nfortu nate lady was over w w t t nt of t t helmed i h a orre reproaches , ha had to be like wise murmured by both Pussy a nd Birdie ; the latter o f whom could no t

h n restrai n e r a ger . “ — Just like you spoiling my prospects f or the sake of your o wn selfish ness want in to et in n th e nt set m ut g g amo g cou y ,

t the tered the passion ate girl . I ha e M ISS DAISY DIMITY . 31 3 county girls I hate Miss Goodchild I

’ shan t be civil to her ! Hatef ul girl ! did you n o t s ee the way in which S he wa s run ni ng after him t o - day ? an d jus t whe n I

ot to o t th e had g him so jealous , , abou

” tt nt n n u w a e io s Colo el B rke sho ed me .

(T his wa s n o t strictly true ; it might be somewhat n earer veracity to say that

’ Jack s complacen cy u nder the temporary

’ loss o f Miss Birdie s favour had opened the

’ n n n you g lady s eyes u pleasa tly . )

“ I t a nd n ot t t is Daisy , us, ha Miss Good

” for ft child cares , so ly grumbled Pussy .

“ A n d fo r t t n we n , my par , I hi k e joy our selves far more without k n owing the cou nty

T h ev no wh girls . do us good , so y should

” we do them any ? “ — B ut they migh t O ne should look

’ ” h an d n o t b e the t a ead , dear, selfish , mo her

s n m t n n to excu i gly urmured , ur i g Fuzzy f r o help . 3 1 4 MISS DAISY DIMITY .

B ut t t t her eldes daugh er, hough usually

t a n d t n w t n some s ay suppor , o ly his led u der

t n n her brea h , laco ically observi g,

“ A bird in the ha nd is worth two i n

th e bush

A S all the ladies huddled together u n der d t t an t o . par ial cover, ried Sleep , poor Mrs f Cox elt rather miserable . She seemed so

nearly to have gain ed on e of th e pi nnacle s

o f her small social ambition ; an d lo her

o wn an d t an d flesh blood flou ed her, de

l re d th e t n c a prize worse ha useless .

I t wa s t d nt n a nd f t mos isappoi i g , she el

a vast i ncli natio n to we ep a very little ;

t t wn f perhaps a ear did s eal do her aded ,

t n f h a s ill ha dsome ace . For S e w s verily

’ m n for e w f for ore a xious Birdi s el are, as

t t of t n n the tt r ha all her girls, ha eve la e

themselves ; and life seemed up - hill work ;

a n d sh e vaguely owned to herself they

had n ot her o wn still elegant manners

31 6 I MISS DA SY DIMITY . of m n t f nt B idsummer igh a asy . ut she did not w n s he for o der sagely , as had Jack

Would ibis b e fo r her o wn H AP P IN ESS

n t t t it bei g qui e , qui e sure abou !

E N D F T H E E C D V O S ON OLU M E .

LON D N : P R I N T ED B Y D UN A N M A D ON A LD B LEN E EI M HOUS E O C C , ,