"Do what, Daisy? assume a look of sadness?" said Preston.
"I would rather not be the angel."
"Nobody else could do it so well," said Mrs. Sandford. "You are the very one to do it. It will he admirable."
"Ishould like to be the angel " murmured Nora, low enough to have no one's attention but Daisy's. The rest were agreeing that the picture would be excellent and had just the right performers assigned to it. Daisy was puzzled. It seemed to her that Nora had a general desire for everything.
"Ella will be one of the princes in the tower," Preston went on. "Nora will be Red Riding-Hood."
"I won't be Red Riding-Hood " said Nora.
"Why not? Hoity, toity!"
"It isn't pretty. And it has no pretty dress."
"Why, it is beautiful," said Mrs. Sandford; "and the dress is to be made with an exquisite red cashmere cardinal of Mrs. Randolph's. You will make the best Red Riding-Hood here. Though Daisy would be more like the lamb the wolf was after," continued the lady, appealing to the manager; "and you might change. Who is to be queen Esther? Nora would do that well with her black eyes and hair she is more of a Jewess than any other of them."
"Esther is fainting," said Preston. "Daisy's paleness will suit that best. Nora could not look faint."
"Yes, I could," said that damsel, promptly.
"You shall blow the cakes that Alfred has let burn," said Preston. "Capital! Look here, Nora. You shall be that girl taking up the burnt cakes and blowing to cool them; and you may look as fierce as you like. You will get great applause if you do that part well. Eloise is going to be the scolding old woman. She and I divide the old women between us."
"Too bad, Preston!" said Mrs. Sandford, laughing. "What else are you going to be?"
"I am going to be one of those fellows coming to murder the little princes."
"Who is Bassanio?"
"Hamilton says he will undertake that. George declines."
"Suppose we do some work, instead of so much talking," said the former person; who had hitherto been a very quiet spectator and listener. "Let us have a little practice. We shall want a good deal before we get through."
All agreed; agreed also that something in the shape of artistic draperies was needed for the practice. "It helps," as Hamilton Rush remarked. So Daisy went to desire the attendance of June with all the scarfs, mantles and shawls which could be gathered together. As Daisy went, she thought that she did not wish Nora to be queen Esther; she was glad Preston was firm about that.
The practising of Bassanio and Portia was so very amusing that she fairly forgot herself in laughter. So did everybody else; except Mrs. Sandford, who was intent upon draperies, and Preston whose hands held a burden of responsibility. Hamilton was a quiet fellow enough in ordinary; but now nobody was more ready for all the life of the play. He threw himself back into an attitude of irresolution and perplexity, with the letter in his hand which had brought the fatal news; that is, it was the make-believe letter, though it was in reality only the New YorkEvening Post. And Daisy thought his attitude was very absurd; but they all declared it was admirable and exactly copied from the engraving. He threw himself into all this in a moment, and was Bassanio at once; but Theresa was much too well disposed to laugh to imitate his example. And then they all laughed at Theresa, who instead of looking grave and inquiring, as Portia should, at her lord's unusual action and appearance, flung herself into position and out of position with a mirthfulness of behaviour wholly inconsistent with the character she was to personify. How they all laughed!
"What is it, Daisy?" whispered Nora.
"Why, he has got a letter," said Daisy.
"Is that newspaper the letter?"
"Make believe it is," said Daisy.
"But what are they doing?"
"Why, this man, Bassanio, has just got a letter that says his dearest friend is going to be killed, because he owes money that he cannot pay; and as the money was borrowed for his own sake, of course he feels very badly about it."
"But people are not killed because they cannot pay money," said Nora. "I have seen people come to papa for money, and they didn't do anything to him because he hadn't it."
"No, but those were different times," said Daisy, "and Bassanio lived in a different country. His friend owed money to a dreadful man, who was going to cut out two pounds of his flesh to pay for it. So of course that would kill him."
"Oh, look at Theresa now!" said Nora.
The young lady had brought her muscles into order; and being clever enough in her merry way, she had taken the look of the character and was giving it admirably. It was hardly Theresa; her moveable face was composed to such an expression of simple inquiry and interest and affectionate concern. The spectators applauded eagerly; but Nora whispered, "What does shelooklike that, for?"
"Why, it's the picture," said Daisy.
"But what does shelookso for?"
"She is Bassanio's wife they have just got married; and she looks so because he looks so, I suppose. She does not know what is in the letter."
"Is he going to tell her?"
"Not in the picture " said Daisy, feeling a little amused atNora's simplicity. "He did tell her in the story."
"But why don't we have all the story?" insisted Nora.
"Oh, these are only pictures, you know; that is all; people dressed up to look like pictures."
"They don't look like pictures a bit,Ithink," said Nora; "they look just like people."
Daisy thought so too, but had some faith in Preston's and Mrs. Sandford's powers of transforming and mystifying the present very natural appearance of the performers. ]However, she was beginning to be of the opinion that it was good fun even now.
"Now, Daisy, come, we must practise puttingyouin position," said Mrs. Sandford. "We will take something easy first what shall it be? Come! we will try Priscilla's courtship. Where is your John Alden, Preston?"
Preston quietly moved forward Alexander Fish and seated him.Daisy began to grow warm with trepidation.
"You must let your hair grow, Sandie and comb out your long curls into your neck; so, do you see? And you will have to have a dress as much as Priscilla. This tableau will be all in the dress, Mrs. Sandford."
"We will have it. That is easy."
"Now, Alexander, look here, at the picture. Take that attitude as nearly as you can, and I will stroke you into order. That is pretty well, lean over a little more with that elbow on your knee, you must be very much in earnest."
"What am I doing?" said Alexander, breaking from his prescribed attitude to turn round and face the company.
"You are making love to Priscilla; but the joke is, you have been persuaded to do it for somebody else, when all the time you would like to do it for yourself."
"I wouldn't be such a gumph as that!" muttered Alexander, as he fell back into position. "Who am I, to begin with?"
"A highly respectable old Puritan. The lady was surprised at him and he came to his senses, but that is not in the picture. Now Daisy take that chair a little nearer you are to have your hand on your spinning wheel, you know; I have got a dear little old spinning wheel at home for you, that was used by my grandmother. You must look at Alexander a little severely, for he is doing what you did not expect of him, and you think he ought to know better. That attitude is very good. But you must look at him, Daisy! Don't let your eyes go down."
There was a decided disposition to laugh among the company looking on, which might have been fatal to the Puritan picture had not Preston and Mrs. Sandford energetically crushed it. Happily Daisy was too much occupied with the difficulty of her own immediate situation to discover how the bystanders were affected; she did not know what was the effect of her pink little cheeks and very demure downcast eyes. In fact Daisy had gone to take her place in the picture with something scarcely less than horror; only induced to do it, by her greater horror of making a fuss and so showing the feeling which she knew would be laughed at if shown. She showed it now, poor child; how could she help it? she showed it by her unusually tinged cheeks and by her persistent down-looking eyes. It was very difficult indeed to help it; for if she ventured to look at Alexander she caught impertinent little winks, most unlike John Alden or any Puritan, which he could execute with impunity because his face was mostly turned from the audience; but which Daisy took in full.
"Lift your eyes, Daisy! your eyes! Priscilla was too much astonished not to look at her lover. You may be even a little indignant, if you choose. I am certain she was."
Poor Daisy it was a piece of the fortitude that belonged to her thus urged, did raise her eyes and bent upon her winking coadjutor a look so severe in its childish distaste and disapproval that there was a unanimous shout of applause. "Capital, Daisy! capital!" cried Preston. "If you only look it like that, we shall do admirably. It will be a tableau indeed. There, get up you shall not practise any more just now."
"It will be very fine," said Mrs. Sandford.
"Daisy, I did not think you were such an actress," said Theresa. "It would have oversetme, if I had been John Alden " remarked Hamilton Rush.
Daisy withdrew into the background as fast as possible, and as far as possible from Alexander.
"Do you like to do it, Daisy?" whispered Nora.
"No."
"Are you going to have a handsome dress for that?"
"No."
"What sort, then?"
"Like the picture."
"Well what is that?"
"Brown, with a white vandyke."
"Vandyke? what is a vandyke?"
"Hush," said Daisy; "let us look."
Frederica Fish was to personify Lady Jane Grey, at the moment when the nobles of her family and party knelt before her to offer her the crown. As Frederica was a, fair, handsome girl, without much animation, this part suited her; she had only to be dressed and sit still. Mrs. Sandford threw some rich draperies round her figure, and twisted a silk scarf about the back of her head; and the children exclaimed at the effect produced. That was to be a rich picture, for of course the kneeling nobles were to be in costly and picturesque attire; and a crown was to be borne on a cushion before them. A book did duty for it just now, on a couch pillow.
"That is what I should like " said Nora. "I want to be dressed and look so."
"You will be dressed to be one of the queen's women in Esther and Ahasuerus, you know."
"But the queen will be dressed more won't she?"
"Yes, I suppose she will."
"I should like to be the queen; that is what I should like to be."
Daisy made no answer. She thought she would rather Nora should not be the queen.
"Doesn't she look beautiful?" Nora went on, referring again toFrederica.
Which Frederica did. The tableau was quite pretty, even partially dressed and in this off-hand way as it was.
Next Mrs. Sandford insisted on dressing Daisy as Fortitude. She had seen, perhaps, a little of the child's discomposure, and wished to make her forget it. In this tableau Daisy would be quite alone; so she was not displeased to let the lady do what she chose with her. She stood patiently, while Mrs. Sandford wound a long shawl skilfully around her, bringing it into beautiful folds like those in Sir Joshua Reynolds' painting; then she put a boy's cap, turned the wrong way, on her head, to do duty for a helmet, and fixed a nodding plume of feathers in it. Daisy then was placed in the attitude of the picture, and the whole little assembly shouted with delight.
"It will do, Mrs. Sandford," said Preston.
"Isn't it pretty?" said the lady.
"And Daisy does it admirably," said Theresa. "You are a fairy at dressing, Mrs. Sandford; your fingers are better than a fairy's wand. I wish you were my godmother; I shouldn't despair to ride yet in a coach and six. There are plenty of pumpkins in a field near our house, and plenty of rats in the house itself. Oh, Mrs. Sandford! let us have Cinderella!"
"What, for a tableau?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"You must ask the manager. I do not know anything about that."
Preston and Theresa and Hamilton and Alexander now went into an eager discussion of this question, and before it was settled the party discovered that it was time to break up.
"Well, Daisy," said Mr. Randolph that evening, "how do you like your new play that you are all so busy about?"
"I like it pretty well, papa."
"Only pretty well! Is that the most you can say of it? I understood that it was supposed to be an amusement of a much more positive character."
"Papa, it is amusing but it has its disagreeablenesses."
"Has it? What can they be? Or has everything pleasant its dark side?"
"I don't know, papa."
"What makes the shadows in this instance?"
It seemed not just easy for Daisy to tell, for her father saw that she looked puzzled how to answer.
"Papa, I think it is because people do not behave perfectly well."
It was quite impossible for Mr. Randolph to help bursting into a laugh at this; but he put his arms round Daisy and kissed her very affectionately at the same time.
"How does their ill behaviour affect your pleasure, Daisy?"
"Papa you know I have to play with them."
"Yes, I understand that. What do they do?"
"It isn'tthey, papa. It is only Alexander Fish or at least it is he most."
"What doeshedo?"
"Papa we are in a tableau together."
"Yes. You and he?"
"Yes, papa. And it is very disagreeable."
"Pray how, Daisy?" said Mr. Randolph, commanding his features with some difficulty. "What is the tableau?"
"Papa, you know the story of Priscilla?"
"I do not think I do. What Priscilla?"
"Priscilla and John Alden. It is in a book of engravings."
"Oh! the courtship of Miles Standish?"
"Miles Standish was his friend, papa."
"Yes, I know now. And are you Priscilla?"
"Yes, papa."
"And who is Miles Standish?"
"Oh, nobody; he is not in the picture; it is John Alden."
"I think I remember. Who is John Alden, then?"
"Papa, they have put Alexander Fish in, because he has long curling hair; but I think Preston's hair would do a great deal better."
"Preston is under some obligation to the others, I suppose, because he is manager. But how does Alexander Fish abuse his privileges?"
"Papa," said Daisy, unwillingly, "his face is turned away from the other people, so that nobody can see it but me; and he winks."
Daisy brought out the last word with an accession of gravity impossible fully to describe. Mr. Randolph's mouth twitched; he bent his head down upon Daisy's, that she might not see it.
"That is very rude of him, Daisy," he said.
"Papa," said Daisy, who did not relish the subject, and chose a departure, "what is aPuritan?"
"A Puritan!"
"Yes, papa. What is it? Priscilla was a Puritan."
"That was a name given to a class of people in England a long time ago."
"What did it mean?"
"They were a stiff set of people, Daisy; good enough people in their way, no doubt, but very absurd in it also."
"What did they do, papa?"
"Concluded to do without whatever is graceful and beautiful and pleasant, in dress or arts or manners. The more disagreeable they made life, they thought it was the better."
"Why were they called that name? Were they purer than other people?"
"I believe they thought themselves so."
"I think they look nice in the picture," said Daisy, meditatively. "Are there any Puritans now, papa?"
"There are people that are called Puritans. It is a term apt to be applied to people that are stiff in their religion."
"Papa," said Daisy when an interval of five minutes had passed, "I do not see how people can be stiff in their religion."
"Don't you. Why not?"
"Papa, I do not see how it can bestiff, to love God and do what He says."
"No " said Mr. Randolph; "but people can be stiff in ways of their own devising."
"Ways that are not in the Bible, papa?"
"Well yes."
"But papa, it cannot bestiffto do what God says we must do?"
"No, of course not," said Mr. Randolph, getting up.
He left her, and Daisy sat meditating; then with a glad heart ran off and ordered her pony-chaise. If tableaux were to be the order of the day every afternoon, she must go to see Molly in the morning. This time she had a good deal to carry and to get ready. Molly was in want of bread. A nice little loaf, fresh baked, was supplied by Joanna, along with some cold rolls.
"She will like those, I dare say," said Daisy. "I dare say she never saw rolls in her life before. Now she wants some meat, Joanna. There was nothing but a little end of cold pork on the dish in her cupboard."
"Why, I wonder who cooks for the poor wretch?" said Joanna.
"I think she cooks for herself, because she has a stove, and I saw iron things and pots to cook with. But she can't do much, Joanna, and I don't believe she knows how."
"Sick, is she too?" said Joanna.
"Sick with rheumatism, so that she did not like to stir."
"I guess I must go take a look at her; but maybe she mightn't let me. Well, Miss Daisy, the way will be for you to tell me what she wants, if you can find out. She must have neighbours, though, that take care of her."
"We are her neighbours," said Daisy.
Joanna looked, a look of great complacency and some wonder, at the child; and packed forthwith into Daisy's basket the half of a cold chicken and a broken peach-pie. A bottle of milk Daisy particularly desired, and a little butter; and she set off at last, happier than a queen Esther or any other to go to Molly with her supplies.
She found not much improvement in the state of affairs. Molly was gathered up on her hearth near the stove, in which she had made a fire; but it did not appear, for all that Daisy could see, that anything else had been done, or any breakfast eaten that morning. The cripple seemed to be in a down-hearted and hopeless state of mind; and no great wonder.
"Molly, would you like another cup of tea?" said her little friend.
"Yes, it's in there. You fix it," said the poor woman, pointing as before to the cupboard, and evidently comforted by Daisy's presence and proposal. Daisy could hear it in the tone of her voice. So, greatly pleased herself, Daisy went to work in Molly's house just as if she was at home. She fetched water in the kettle again and made up the fire. While that was getting ready, she set the table for breakfast. The only table that Molly could use was a piece of board nailed on a chair. On this Daisy put her plate and cup and saucer, and with secret glee arranged the cold chicken and loaf of bread. For the cupboard, as she saw, was as empty as she had found it two days before. What Molly had lived on in the mean time was simply a mystery to Daisy. To be sure, the end of cold pork was gone, the remains of the cake had disappeared, and nothing was left of the peaches but the stones. The tea-kettle did not boil for a time; and Daisy looked uneasily at Molly's cup and saucer and plate meanwhile. They had not been washed, Daisy could not guess for how long; certainly no water had touched them since the tea of two nights ago, for the cake crumbs and peach stones told the tale. Daisy looked at them with a great feeling of discomfort. She could not bear to see them so; they ought to be washed; but Daisy disliked the idea of touching them for that purpose more than I can make you understand. In all matters of nicety and cleanliness Daisy was notional; nothing suited her but the most fastidious particularity. It had been a trial to her to bring those unwashed things from the cupboard. Now she sat and looked at them; uneasily debating what she should do. It was not comfortable, that Molly should take her breakfast off them as they were; and Molly was miserable herself, and would do nothing to mend matters. And then "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you," As soon as that came fairly into Daisy's head, she knew what she ought to be about. Not without an inward sigh, she gathered up the pieces again.
"What you going to do?" said Molly.
"I'll bring them back," said Daisy. "I will be ready directly.The water is not boiling yet."
For she saw that Molly was jealously eager for the hoped-for cup of tea. She carried the things out into the shed, and there looked in vain for any dish or vessel to wash them in. How could it be that Molly managed? Daisy was fain to fetch a little bowl of water and wash the crockery with her fingers, and then fetch another bowl of water to rinse it. There was no napkin to be seen. She left the things to drain as they could, and went to the spring to wash her own fingers; rejoicing in the purifying properties of the sweet element. All this took some time, but Daisy carried in her clean dishes with a satisfied heart.
"It's bi'lin', " said Molly, as soon as she entered.
So the little kettle was. Daisy made tea, and prepared Molly's table with a little piece of butter and the bottle of milk. And no little girl making an entertainment for herself with tiny china cups and tea-set, ever had such satisfaction in it. Twenty dinners at home could not have given Daisy so much pleasure, as she had now to see the poor cripple look at her unwonted luxuries, and then to see her taste them. Yet Molly said almost nothing; but the grunt of new expression with which she set down the bottle of milk the first time, went all through and through Daisy's heart with delight. Molly drank tea and spread her bread with butter, and Daisy noticed her turning over her slice of bread to examine the texture of it; and a quieter, soothed, less miserable look, spread itself over her wrinkled features. They were not wrinkled with age; yet it was a lined and seamed face generally, from the working of unhappy and morose feelings.
"Ain't it good! " was Molly's single word of comment as she finished her meal. Then she sat back and watched Daisy putting all the things nicely away. She looked hard at her.
"What you fetch them things here for?" she broke out suddenly."H n?"
The grunt with which her question concluded was so earnest in its demand of an answer, that Daisy stopped.
"Why, I like to do it, Molly," she said. Then seeing the intent eyes with which the poor creature was examining her, Daisy added, "I like to do it; because Jesus loves you."
"H n?" said Molly, very much at a loss what this might mean, and very eager to know. Daisy stood still, with the bread in her hands.
"Don't you know, Molly?" she said. "He does. It is. Jesus, that I told you about. He loves you, and He came and died for you, that He might make you good and save you from your sins; and He loves you now, up in heaven."
"What's that?" said Molly.
"Heaven? that is where God lives, and the angels, and good people."
"There ain't none," said Molly.
"What?"
"There ain't no good people."
"Oh, yes, there are. When they are washed in Jesus' blood, then they are good. He will take away all their sins."
Molly was silent for a moment, and Daisy resumed her work of putting things away; but as she took the peach pie in her hands, Molly burst out again.
"What you bring them things here for?"
Daisy stopped again.
"I think it is because Jesus is my King," she said, "and I love Him. And I love what He loves, and so I love you, Molly."
Daisy looked very childish and very wise, as she said this; but over Molly's face there came a great softening change. The wrinkles seemed to disappear; she gazed at Daisy steadily, as if trying to find out what it all meant: and when the eyes presently were cast down, Daisy almost thought there was a little moisture about them. She had no further interruption in her work. The dishes were all put away, and then she brought her book. Daisy had her Bible with her this time, that she might give Molly more than her own words. And Molly she found as ready to listen as could be desired. And she was persistent in desiring to hear only of that incredible Friend of whom Daisy had told her. That name she wanted; wherever that name came in, Molly sat silent and attentive; if the narrative lost it, she immediately quickened Daisy's memory to the knowledge of the fact that nothing else would do. At last Daisy proposed that Molly herself should learn to read. Molly stared very hopelessly at first; but after getting more accustomed to the idea, and hearing from Daisy that it was by no means an impossible thing, and further that, if she could learn to read, the Bible would be forthcoming for her own use, she took up the notion with an eagerness far exceeding all that Daisy had hoped for. She said very little about it; nevertheless it was plain that a root of hope had struck down into the creature's heart. Daisy taught her two letters, A and B, and then was obliged to go home.
It was quite time, for little Daisy was tired. She was not accustomed to making fires and boiling kettles, neither to setting tables and washing dishes. Yet it was not merely, nor so much, the bodily exertion she had made, as the mind work. The excitement both of pleasure and responsibility and eager desire. Altogether, Daisy was tired; and sat back in her chaise, letting the reins hangs languidly in her hands and Loupe go how he would. But Loupe judged it was best to get home and have some refreshment, so he bestirred himself. Daisy had time to lie down a little while before her dinner; nevertheless she was languid and pale, and disposed to take all the rest of the day very quietly.
The rest of the day was of course devoted to the tableaux. The little company had got warmed to the subject pretty well at the first meeting; they all came together this fine afternoon with spirits in tone for business. And Daisy, though she was tired, presently found her own interest drawn in. She was not called upon immediately to take any active part; she perched herself in the corner of a couch, and looked on and listened. Thither came Nora Dinwiddie, too much excited to sit down, and stood by Daisy's elbow. They had been practising "Alfred in the neatherd's cottage;" Nora had been called upon to be the girl blowing the burnt cakes; she had done it, and everybody had laughed, but the little lady was not pleased.
"I know I look horrid!" she said to Daisy, "puffing out my cheeks till they are like a pair of soapbubbles!"
"But soapbubbles are not that colour," said Daisy. "Your cheeks didn't look like soapbubbles."
"Yes, they did. They looked horrid, I know."
"But the picture is so," urged Daisy, quietly. "You want to be like the picture."
"No, I don't. Not that picture. I would like to be something handsome. I don't like that picture."
Daisy was silent, and Nora pouted.
"What are you going to be, Daisy?" said Ella Stanfield.
"I am going to be Priscilla. No, I don't know whether I am or not; but I am going to be Fortitude, I believe."
"That's pretty," said Ella. "What else? Oh, you are going to be the angel, aren't you? I wonder if that will be pretty. It will be queer. Nora, shall you like to be one of the little princes in the Tower? with that feather-bed coming over us? But we shall not see it, I suppose, because our eyes have got to be shut; but I shall be afraid every minute they will let it fall on us."
"My eyes won't be shut," said Nora.
"Oh, they must. You know, the little princes were asleep, when the men came to kill them. Your eyes must be shut and you must be asleep. Oh, what are they doing to Theresa?"
"Dressing her " said Daisy.
"What is she going to be?"
"Portia " said Daisy.
"Isn't that beautiful! " said Nora, with a deep breath. "Oh, what a splendid dress! How rich-looking it is. What a lovely purple. Oh, how beautiful Theresa is in it. Oh! Isn't that splen did?"
A very prolonged, though low, breath of admiring wonder testified to the impressive power, upon the children at least, of Theresa's new habiliments. The purple brocade was upon her; its full draperies swept the ground in gorgeous colouring; a necklace of cameos was bound with great effect upon her hair; and on the arms, which were half bare, Mrs. Sandford was clasping gold and glittering jewels. Theresa threw herself slightly back in her prescribed attitude, laid her arms lightly across each other, and turned her head with a very saucy air towards the companion figure, supposed to be Bassanio. All the others laughed and clapped her.
"Not that, Theresa, not that; you have got the wrong picture. You are going with the Prince of Arragon now, to the caskets; and you ought to be anxiously asking Bassanio about his letter."
Theresa changed attitude and expression on the instant; bent slightly forward, lost her sauciness, and laid her hand upon Bassanio's arm with a grave, tender look of inquiry. They all shouted again.
"Bravo, Theresa! capital!" said Preston.
"Hamilton, can you act up to that?" said Mrs. Sandford.
"Wait till I get my robes on, ma'am. I can make believe a great deal easier when I am under the persuasion that it is not me Hamilton Rush."
"I'd like to see Frederica do as well as that," said AlexanderFish, in a fit of brotherly concern.
"Let us try her " said good-natured Mrs. Sandford. Mrs. Sandford certainly was good-natured, for she had all the dressing to do. She did it well, and very patiently.
"There," said Nora, when Ella had left the couch to go to her sister, "that is what I like. Didn't she look beautiful, Daisy?"
"Her dress looked beautiful " said Daisy.
"Well, of course; and that madeherlook beautiful. Daisy, I wish I could have a nice part. I would like to be the queen in that fainting picture."
"You are going to be in that picture."
"But, I mean, I would like to be the queen. She will have the best dress, won't she?"
"I suppose she will be the most dressed," said Daisy.
"I don't want to be one of the women I want to be the queen. Hamilton Rush said I would be the best one for it, because she was a Jewess; and I am the only one that has got black eyes and hair."
"But her eyes will not be seen," said Daisy. "She is fainting.When people faint, they keep their eyes shut."
"Yes, but I am the only one that has got black hair. That will show. Her hair ought to be black."
"Why, will not other hair do just as well?" said Daisy.
"Why, because she was a Jewess."
"Do Jewesses always have black hair?"
"Of course theyoughtto have black hair," said Nora; "orHamilton Rush would not have said that. And my hair is black."
Daisy was silent. She said nothing to this proposition. The children were both silenced for a little while the practising for "Marie Antoinette" was going on. The principal part in this was taken by Frederica, who was the beauty of the company. A few touches of Mrs. Sandford's skilful hands transformed her appearance wonderfully. She put on an old- fashioned straight gown, which hung in limp folds around her; and Mrs. Sandford arranged a white handkerchief over her breast, tying it in the very same careless loose knot represented in the picture; but her management of Frederica's hair was the best thing. Its soft fair luxuriance was, no one could tell how, made to assume the half-dressed, half- undressed air of the head in Delaroche's picture; and Frederica looked the part well.
"She should throw her head a little more back," whisperedHamilton Rush to the manager; "her head or her shoulders.She is not quite indignant enough."
"That handkerchief in her hand is not right " said Preston, in a responding whisper. "You see to it while I get into disguise.
"That handkerchief, Mrs. Sandford " Hamilton said, softly.
"Yes. Frederica, your hand with the pocket-handkerchief, it is not quite the thing."
"Why not?"
"You hold it like a New York lady."
"HowshouldI hold it?"
"Like a French queen, whose Austrian fingers may hold anything any way." This was Hamilton's dictum.
"But howdoI hold it?"
"You have picked it up in the middle, and show all the flower work in the corners."
"You hold it too daintily, Frederica," said Theresa. "You must grasp it grasp it loosely but as the distinguished critic who has last spoken has observed."
Frederica dropped her handkerchief, and picked it up again exactly as she had it before.
"Try again " said Mrs. Sandford. "Grasp it, as Theresa says.Never mind how you are taking it up."
"Must I throw it down again?"
"If you please."
"Take it up any way but in the middle," said Hamilton.
Down went the handkerchief on a chair, and then Frederica's fingers took it up, delicately, and with a little shake displayed as before what Hamilton called the flowers in the corners. It was the same thing. They all smiled.
"She can't hold a handkerchief any but the one way I don't believe," said her brother Alexander.
"Isn't it right?" said Frederica.
"Perfect, I presume, for Madison Square or Fifth Avenue but not exactly for a revolutionary tribunal," said Hamilton.
"What is the difference?"
"Ah, that is exactly what it is so hard to get at. Hollo! Preston is it Preston? Can't be better, Preston. Admirable! admirable!"
"Well, Preston, I do not know you!" said Mrs. Sandford.
Was it Preston? Daisy could hardly believe her ears. Her eyes certainly told her another story. Was it Preston? in the guise and with the face of an extremely ugly old woman vicious and malignant, who? taking post near the deposed queen, peered into her face with spiteful curiosity and exultation. Not a trace of likeness to Preston could Daisy see. She half rose up to look at him in her astonishment. But the voice soon declared that it was no other than her cousin.
"Come," said he, while they were all shouting, "fall in.You, Hamilton, and Theresa, come and take your positions."
Hamilton, with a glance at the picture, went behind Preston; and putting on a savage expression, thrust his clenched fist out threateningly towards the dignified figure of Frederica; while Theresa, stealing up into the group, put her hands upon a chair-back to steady herself and bent towards the queen a look of mournful sympathy and reverence, that in the veritable scene and time represented would undoubtedly have cost the young lady her life. The performers were good; the picture was admirable. There was hardly anybody left to look when George Linwood and Alexander had taken post as the queen's guards; and to say truth they did not in their present state of undisguised individuality add much to the effect; but Mrs. Sandford declared the tableau was very fine, and could be made perfect.
The question of Cinderella came up then; and there was a good deal of talk. Finally it was decided that little Ella should be Cinderella, and Eloise the fairy godmother, and Jane Linwood and Nora the wicked sisters. A little practising was tried, to get them in order. Then Esther was called for. Daisy submitted.
Hamilton Rush was made magnificent and kingly by a superb velvet mantle and turbaned crown the latter not perfect, but improvised for the occasion. For a sceptre he held out a long wooden ruler this time; but Preston promised a better one should be provided. The wooden ruler was certainly not quite in keeping with the king's state, or the queen's. Daisy was robed in a white satin dress of her mother's; much too long, of course, but that added to the rich effect; it lay in folds upon the floor. Her head was covered with a rose-coloured silken scarf wound artistically round it, and the ends floating away; and upon this drapery diamonds were bound, that sparkled very regally over Daisy's forehead. But this was only the beginning. A zone of brilliants at her waist made the white satin dazzling, and gathered its folds together; bracelets of every colour and of great beauty loaded Daisy's little arms; till she was, what Mrs. Sandford had said Esther must be, a spot of brilliancy. Her two maids, Nora and Jane Linwood, at this time were not robed in any other than their ordinary attire; perhaps that was one reason why their maintenance of their characters was not quite so perfect as that of the principal two. Hamilton stretched forward his wooden sceptre to the queen with benignant haste and dignity. Daisy, only too glad to shrink away, closed her eyes and lay back in the arms of her attendants in a manner that was really very satisfactory. But the attendants themselves were not in order.
"Jane, you must not laugh " said her brother.
"I ain't laughing!"
"Yes, but you were."
"The queen is fainting, you know," said Mrs. Sandford. "You are one of her maids, and you are very much distressed about it."
"I am not distressed a bit. I don't care."
"Nora, do not forget that you are another attendant. Your business is with your mistress. You must be looking into her face, to see if she is really faint, or if you can perceive signs of mending. You must look very anxious."
But Nora looked very cross; and as Jane persisted in giggling, the success of that picture was not quite excellent this time.
"Nora is the most like a Jewess " Theresa remarked.
"Oh, Nora will make a very good maid of honour by and by,"Mrs. Sandford replied.
But Nora had her own thoughts.
"Daisy, how shall I be dressed?" she inquired, when Daisy was disrobed of her magnificence and at leisure to talk.
"I don't know. Oh, in some nice way," said Daisy, getting into her corner of the couch again.
"Yes, but shall I shall Jane and I have bracelets, and a girdle, and something on our heads too?"
"No, I suppose not. The queen, of course, is most dressed,Nora; you know she must be."
"I should like to haveonedress," said Nora. "I am not anything at all. All the fun is in the dress. You are to have four dresses."
"Well, so are you to have four."
"No, I am not. What four?"
"This one, you know; and Red Riding-hood and the Princes in the Tower and Cinderella."
"I am to be only one of the ugly sisters in Cinderella I don't believe aunt Frances will give her much of a dress; and I hate Red Riding-hood; and the Princes in the Tower are not to be dressed at all. They are covered up with the bed- clothes."
"Nora," said Daisy, softly, "would you like to be dressed asJohn Alden?"
"Aswhat?" said Nora, in no very accommodating tone of voice.
"John Alden that Puritan picture, you know, with the spinning-wheel. I am to be Priscilla."
"A boy! Do you think I would be dressed like a boy?" cried Nora, in dudgeon. And Daisy thoughtshewould not, if the question were asked her; and had nothing more to answer.
So the practising went on, with good success on the whole. The little company met every other day; and dresses were making, and postures were studied, and costumes were considered and re-considered. Portia and Bassanio got to be perfect. So did Alfred in the neatherd's cottage very nearly. Nora, however she grumbled, blew her cakes energetically; Preston and Eloise made a capital old man and woman, she with a mutch cap and he with a bundle of sticks on his head; while Alexander Fish, with his long hair and rather handsome face, sat very well at the table hearing his rebuke for letting the cakes burn. Alexander was to have a six-foot bow in hand, which he and Hamilton were getting ready; and meanwhile practised with an umbrella. But the tableau was very good. Most of the others went very well. Still Daisy was greatly tried by John Alden's behaviour, and continued to look so severe in the picture as to draw out shouts of approving laughter from the company, who did not know that; Alexander Fish was to be thanked for it. And Nora was difficult to train in Queen Esther. She wore obstinately a look of displeased concern for herself, and no concern at all for her fainting mistress. Which, on the whole, rather impaired the unity of the action, and the harmony of the general effect.
"How is your task proceeding?" Mrs. Randolph asked one evening, when Mrs. Sandford was staying to tea.
"Excellently well. We shall make a good thing, I confidently expect."
"Hamilton is a good actor," said Preston.
"And Master Gary also," said Mrs. Sandford. "Your old French wife is perfect, Preston."
"Much obliged, ma'am."
"Not to me. My dressing has nothing to do with that. But Preston, what shall we do with Frederica's handkerchief? She cannothold it right."
"Like a queen " said Preston. "I do not know unless we could scare her out of her propriety. A good fright would do it, I think. But then the expression would not suit. How is the Game, Mrs. Sandford?"
"Perfect! admirable! You and Hamilton do it excellently andDaisy is a veritable angel."
"How doesshelike it all?" Mrs. Randolph inquired.
"Aunt Felicia, she is as much engaged as anybody."
"And plays as well," added Mrs. Sandford.
"She has found out to-day, aunt Felicia," Preston went on, speaking rather low, "that she ought to have a string of red stones round her head instead of white ones."
Mrs. Randolph smiled.
"She was quite right," said Mrs. Sandford. "It was a matter of colour, and she was quite right. She was dressed for Queen Esther, and I made her look at herself to take the effect; and she suggested, very modestly, that stones of some colour would do better than diamonds round her head. So I substituted some very magnificent rubies of yours, Mrs. Randolph; quite to Daisy's justification."
"Doesn't she make a magnificent little 'Fortitude,' though!" said Eloise.
"The angel will be the best," said Mrs. Sandford. "She looks so naturally troubled. But we have got a good band of workers. Theresa Stanfield is very clever."
"It will do Daisy a world of good," said Mrs. Gary.
All this while Daisy's days were divided. Silks and jewels and pictures and practising, in one part; in the other part, the old cripple Molly Skelton, and her basket of bread and fruit, and her reading in the Bible. For Daisy attended as regularly to the one as to the other set of interests, and more frequently; for the practising party met only three times a week, but Daisy went to Molly every day.
Molly was not sick now. Daisy's good offices in the material line were confined to supplying her with nice bread and butter and fruit and milk, with many varieties beside. But in that day or two of rheumatic pains, when Molly had been waited upon by the dainty little handmaiden who came in spotless frocks and trim little black shoes to make her fire and prepare her tea, Daisy's tenderness and care had completely won Molly's heart. She was a real angel in that poor house; no vision of one. Molly welcomed her so, looked at her so, and would perhaps have obeyed her as readily. But Daisy offered no words that required obedience, except those she read out of the Book; and Molly listened to them as if it had been the voice of an angel. She was learning to read herself; really learning: making advances every day that showed diligent interest; and the interest was fed by those words she daily listened to out of the same book. Daisy had got a large-print Testament for her at Crum Elbow; and a new life had begun for the cripple. The rose-bush and the geranium flourished brilliantly, for the frosts had not come yet; and they were a good setting forth of how things were going in the house.
One lovely October afternoon, when air and sky were a breath and vision of delight, after a morning spent in dressing and practising, Daisy went to Molly. She went directly after luncheon. She had given Molly her lesson; and then Daisy sat with a sober little face, her finger between the leaves of the Bible, before beginning her accustomed reading. Molly eyed her wistfully.
"About the crowns and the white dresses," she suggested.
"Shall I read about those?" said Daisy. And Molly nodded. And with her little face exceedingly grave and humble, Daisy read the seventh chapter of the Revelation, and then the twenty- first chapter, and the twenty second; and then she sat with her finger between the leaves as before, looking out of the window.
"Will they all be sealed?" said Molly, breaking the silence.
"Yes."
"What is that?"
"I don't know exactly. It will be a mark of all the people that love Jesus."
"A mark in their foreheads?"
"Yes, it says so."
"What mark?"
"I don't know, Molly; it says, 'His name shall be in their foreheads.' " And Daisy's eyes became full of tears.
"How will that be?"
"I don't know, Molly; it don't tell. I suppose that everybody that looks at them will know in a minute that they belong to Jesus."
Daisy's hand went up and brushed across her eyes; and then did it again.
"Do they belong to Him?" asked Molly.
"Oh, yes! Here it is don't you remember? 'they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.' "
"So they are white, then?" said Molly.
"Yes. And His mark is on them."
"I wish," said the cripple, slowly and thoughtfully, "I wish 'twas on me. I do!"
I do not think Daisy could speak at this. She shut her book and got up and looked at Molly, who had put her head down on her folded arms; and then she opened Molly's Testament and pressed her arm to make her look. Still Daisy did not speak; she had laid her finger under some of the words she had been reading; but when Molly raised her head she remembered the sense of them could not be taken by the poor woman's eyes. So Daisy read them, looking with great tenderness in the cripple's face.
" 'I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.' That is what it says, Molly."
"Who says?"
"Why, Jesus says it. He came and died to buy the life for us and now He will give it to us, He says, if we want it."
"What life?" said Molly, vaguely.
"Why,that, Molly; that which you were wishing for. He will forgive us, and make us good, and set His mark upon us; and then we shall wear those robes that are made white in His blood, and be with Him in heaven. And that is life."
"You and me?" said Molly.
"Oh, yes! Molly anybody. It says 'whosoever is athirst.' "
"Where's the words?" said Molly.
Daisy showed her; and Molly made a deep mark in the paper under them with her nail; so deep as to signify that she meant to have them for present study or future reference or both. Then, as Molly seemed to have said her say, Daisy said no more and went away.
It was still not late in the afternoon; and Daisy drove on, past the Melbourne gates, and turned the corner into the road which led to Crum Elbow. The air was as clear as October could have it; and soft, neither warm nor cold; and the roads were perfect; and here and there a few yellow and red maple leaves, and in many places a brown stubble field, told that autumn was come. It was as pleasant a day for a drive as could possibly be; and yet Daisy's face was more intent upon her pony's ears than upon any other visible thing. She drove on towards Crum Elbow, but before she reached it she turned another corner, and drew up before Juanita's house.
It was not the first visit she had made here since going home; though Daisy had in truth not come often nor stayed long. All the more glad were Juanita and she to see each other now. Daisy took off her flat and sat down on the old chintz couch, with a face of content. Yet it was grave content; not joyous at all. So Juanita's keen eyes saw, through all the talking which went on. Daisy and she had a great deal to say to each other; and among other things the story of Molly came in, and was enlarged upon; though Daisy left most of her own doings to be guessed at. She did not tell them more than she could well help. However, talk went on a good while, and still when it paused Daisy's face looked thoughtful and careful. So Juanita saw.
"Is my love quite well?"
"Oh, yes, Juanita. I am quite well. I think I am getting strong, a little."
Juanita's thanksgiving was earnest. Daisy looked very sober.
"Juanita, I have been wanting to talk to you."
Now they had been talking a good deal; but this, the black woman saw, was not what Daisy meant.
"What is it, my love?"
"I don't know, Juanita. I think I am puzzled."
The fine face of Mrs. Benoit looked gravely attentive, and a little anxiously watchful of Daisy's.
"The best way will be to tell you. Juanita, they are I mean, we are playing pictures at home."
"What is that, Miss Daisy?"
"Why, they take pictures pictures in books, you know and dress up people like the people in the pictures, and make them stand so, or sit so, and look so, as the people in the pictures do; and so they make a picture of living people."
"Yes, Miss Daisy."
"They are playing pictures at home. I mean, we are. Mamma is going to give a great party next week; and the pictures are to be all made and shown at the party. There are twelve pictures; and they will be part of the entertainment. There is to be a gauze stretched over the door of the library, and the pictures are to be seen behind the gauze."
"And does Miss Daisy like the play?" the black woman inquired, not lightly.
"Yes, Juanita I like some things about it. It is very amusing. There are some things I do not like."
"Did Miss Daisy wish to talk to me about those things she not like?"
"I don't know, Juanita no, I think not. Not about those things. But I do not exactly know about myself."
"What Miss Daisy not know about herself?"
"I do not know exactly whether it is right."
"Whether what be right, my love?"
Daisy was silent at first, and looked puzzled.
"Juanita I mean I don't know whether I am right."
"Will my love tell what she mean?"
"It is hard, Juanita. But I don't think I am quite right. I want you to tell me what to do."
Daisy's little face looked perplexed and wise. And sorry.
"What troubles my love?"
"I do not know how it was, Juanita I did not care at all about it at first; and then I began to care about it a little and now "
"What does my love care about?"
"About being dressed, Juanita; and wearing mamma's jewels, and looking like a picture."
"Will Miss Daisy tell Juanita better what she mean?"
"Why, you know, Juanita," said the child, wistfully, "they dress up the people to look like the pictures; and they have put me in some very pretty pictures; and in one I am to be beautifully dressed to look like Queen Esther with mamma's jewels all over me. And there is another little girl who would like to have that part, and I do not want to give it to her."
Juanita sat silent, looking grave and anxious. Her lips moved, but she said nothing that could be heard.
"And, Juanita," the child went on "I think, somehow, I like to look better than other people, and to have handsomer dresses than other people, in the pictures, you know."
Still Juanita was silent.
"Is it right, Juanita?"
"Miss Daisy pardon me. Who Miss Daisy think be so pleased to see her in the beautiful dress in the picture?"
"Juanita it was not that I meant. I was not thinking so much of that. Mamma would like it, I suppose, and papa; but I like it myself."
Juanita was silent again.
"Is it right, Juanita?"
"Why do Miss Daisy think it not right?"
Daisy looked undecided and perplexed.
"Juanita I wasn't quite sure."
"Miss Daisy like to play in these pictures r"
"Yes, Juanita and I like Juanita, I like it!"
"And another little girl, Miss Daisy say, like it too?"
"Yes, I think they all do. But there is a little girl that wants to take my part."
"And who Miss Daisy want to please?"
Daisy hesitated, and her eyes reddened; she sat a minute still; then looked up very wistfully.
"Juanita, I think I want to please myself."
"Jesus please not Himself," said the black woman.
Daisy made no answer to that. She bent over and hid her little head in Mrs. Benoit's lap. And tears undoubtedly came, though they were quiet tears. The black woman's hand went tenderly over the little round head.
"And He say to His lambs 'Follow me.' "
"Juanita" Daisy spoke without raising her head "I want to please him most."
"How Miss Daisy think she do that?"
Daisy's tears now, for some reason, came evidently, and abundantly. She wept more freely in Juanita's lap than she would have done before father or mother. The black woman let her alone, and there was silent counsel-taking between Daisy and her tears for some time.
"Speak to me, Juanita" she said at last.
"What my love want me to say?"
"It has been all wrong, hasn't it, Juanita? Oh, have I,Juanita?"
"What, my love?"
"I know I have," said Daisy. "I knew it was not right before."
There was yet again a silence; a tearful silence on one part.Then Daisy raised her head, looking very meek.
"Juanita, what ought I to do?"
"What my love said," the black woman replied very tenderly."Please the Lord."
"Yes; but I mean, how shall I do that?"
"Jesus please not Himself; and He say, 'Follow me.' "
"Juanita, I believe I began to want to please myself very soon after all this picture work and dressing began."
"Then it not please the Lord," said Juanita, decidedly.
"I know," said Daisy; "and it has been growing worse and worse. But Juanita, I shall have to finish the play now I cannot help it. How shall I keep good? Can I?"
"My love knows the Good Shepherd carry His lamb in His bosom, if she let Him. He is called Jesus, for He save His people from their sins."
Daisy's face was very lowly; and very touching was the way she bent her little head and passed her hand across her eyes. It was the gesture of penitent gentleness.
"Tell me some more, Juanita."
"Let the Lord speak," said the black woman, turning ever her well-used Bible. "See, Miss Daisy 'Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own ' "
"I was puffed up," said Daisy, "because I was to wear those beautiful things. I will let Nora wear them. I was seeking my own, all the time, Juanita. I didn't know it."
See, Miss Daisy 'That women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.' "
"Is there anyharmin those pretty things, Juanita? They are so pretty!"
"I don't know, Miss Daisy; the Lord say He not pleased with them; and the Lord knows."
"I suppose," said Daisy but what Daisy supposed was never told. It was lost in thought.
"My love see here what please the Lord 'the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.' "
Daisy lifted her little face and kissed the fine olive cheek of her friend.
"I know now, Juanita," she said with her accustomed placidness. "I didn't know what was the matter with me. I shall have to play in the pictures I cannot help it now but I will let Nora be Queen Esther."
It was quite late by this time, and Daisy after a little more talk went home; a talk which filled the child's heart with comfort. Daisy went home quite herself again, and looked as happy and busy as a bee when she got there.
"Daisy! what late doings!" exclaimed her father. "Out all the afternoon and practising all the morning Where have you been?"
"I have been visiting, papa."
"Pray whom?"
"Molly, papa and Juanita," Daisy said, not very willingly, for Mrs. Randolph was within hearing.
"A happy selection!" said she. "Go and get ready for dinner,Daisy."
"Have you been all the afternoon at those two places, Daisy." asked her father, within whose arms she stood.
"Yes, papa."
He let her go; and a significant look passed between him and his wife.
"A little too much of a good thing," said Mr. Randolph.
"It will be too much, soon," the lady answered.
Nevertheless Daisy for the present was safe, thanks to her friend Dr. Sandford; and she passed on upstairs with a spirit as light as a bird. And after she was dressed, till it was time for her to go in to the dinner-table, all that while a little figure was kneeling at the open window, and a little round head was bowed upon the sill. And after that, there was no cloud upon Daisy's face at all.
In the drawing-room, when they were taking tea, Daisy carried her cup of milk and cake to a chair close by Preston.
"Well, Daisy, what now?"
"I want to talk to you about the pictures, Preston."
"We did finely to-day, Daisy! If only I could get the cramp out of Frederica's fingers."
"Cramp!" said Daisy.
"Yes. She picks up that handkerchief of hers as if her hand was a bird's claw. I can't get a blue jay or a canary out of my head when I see her. Did you ever see a bird scratch its eye with its claw, Daisy?"
"Yes."
"Well, that is what she puts me in mind of. That handkerchief kills Marie Antoinette, dead. And she won't take advice or she can't. It is a pity you hadn't it to do; you would hold it right queenly. You do Esther capitally. I don't believe a Northern girl can manage that sort of thing."
Daisy sipped her milk and eat crumbs of cake for a minute without making any answer.
"Preston, I am going to let Nora be Queen Esther."
"What!" said Preston.
"I am going to let Nora be Queen Esther."
"Nora! Not if I know it," said Preston.
"Yes, but I am. I would like it better. And Nora would like to be Queen Esther, I know."
"I dare say she would! Like it! Of course. No, Daisy; Queen Esther is yours and nobody's else. What has put that into your head?"
"Preston, I think Nora would like it; and you know, they said she was most like a Jewess of all of us; I think it would be proper to give it to her."
"I shall not do it. We will be improper for once."
"But I am going to do it, Preston."