Daisy was so full of her thoughts that she never perceived two gentlemen standing at the foot of the hall steps to receive her.

Not till Loupe in his best style had trotted up the road and stopped, and she had risen to throw down her reins.

Then Daisy started a little.

One gentleman touched his cap to her, and the other held out his hands to help her to alight.
"You are just in time for breakfast, Miss Randolph.

Is that the coach that was made out of a pumpkin ?" Daisy shook hands with the other gentleman and made no answer.
"I had always heard," went on the first, "that the young ladies at the North were very independent in their habits; but I had no idea that they went to market before breakfast." "Sam," said Daisy, "take the baskets to Joanna." "What is in the baskets ?--eggs ?--or butter ?--or vegetables?
Where do you go to market ?" "To New York, sir," said Daisy.
"To New York! And have you come from there this morning?
Then that is certainly also the pony that was once a rat! it's a witchcraft concern altogether." "No sir," said Daisy, "I don't go to market." "Will you excuse me for remarking, that you just said you did ?" "No sir,--I didn't mean that _I_ went." "How are gentlemen to understand you, in the future experience of life, if you are in the habit of saying what you do not mean ?" "I am not in the habit of it," said Daisy, half laughing, for she knew her questioner.