Her father and mother were there alone; but just after Daisy came in she was followed by Dr.
Sandford.

The doctor came with a message.

Mrs.Sandford, his sister, he said, sent by him to beg that Daisy might come to spend the day with Nora Dinwiddie, who much desired her presence.

In the event of a favourable answer, the doctor said he would himself drive Daisy over, and would call for that purpose in another hour or two.

He delivered his message, and Mrs.Randolph replied at once that Daisy could not go; she could not permit it.
Mr.Randolph saw the flush of hope and disappointment on Daisy's face and the witness of another kind in her eyes; though with her characteristic steady self-control she neither moved nor spoke, and suffered the tears to come no farther.