Daisy saw that strawberries and cream, cake and coffee, were thoroughly enjoyed; she saw too that the honour of being served off silver and china was duly felt.

If her father had but come out to say a kind word! but he did not come.

His little substitute did all a substitute could do; and at last when everybody seemed in full tide of merry-making, she stole away that they might have no constraint upon it.

Before she had got far, she was startled by a noise behind her, and looking round saw that all the tableful had risen to their feet.

The next instant there was a great shout.