The term was almost out, when I was called to the parlour one
day to see Mrs. Sandford. All winter I had not seen her; she
had not been in New York. I think she was unaffectedly glad to
see me; somehow my presence was pleasant to her.
"Out of school!" she exclaimed, after a few greetings had
passed. "Almost out of school. A woman, Daisy. My dear, I
never see you but I am struck with the change in you. Don't
change any more! you are just right."
I laughed and asked her, what was the change in me? I had not
grown taller.
"No -" said Mrs. Sandford - "I don't know that you have; but
your figure is improved, and you have the air of being taller,
Daisy. I never saw you looking so well. My dear, what work you
are going to do now! now that you are out of the 'elements.'
And by the by - what are you going to do, when school closes
and you are set free?"
I said I could not tell; I had received no directions. I was
waiting for letters from somewhere, to tell me what I must do.
"Suppose you go with me to Washington."
"Washington!" - I ejaculated, and therewith the power of
speech left me.
"Yes. You are not afraid, Daisy, that you look at me so? Some
people are afraid, I know, and think Washington is going to be
stormed by the Southern army; but that is all nonsense, Grant
says; and I always trust Grant. He knows. He wants me to come.
He says Washington is a novel sight just now, and I may never
have such another chance; and I think I shall do as he says
and go. Washington is full of soldiers, and no ladies in it.
You are not afraid?"
"Oh, no. But - Dr. Sandford has not written to me to come."
"Yes, he has; or something very like it. He asked me to come
and see you as I passed through the city - I was not likely to
need his admonition, Daisy, my dear, for it always does me
good to see you; - and he added that I might suggest to you
that I was coming, and ask you if your curiosity inclined you
to take the trouble of the journey. He said he thought it
worth while, - and that we would both find it so."
I was dumb. Dr. Sandford little knew to what he was inviting
me; and I - and Thorold - What a strange chance.