Daisy In The Field

The examination was over and school ended for me, before I had

one half hour to spare to go to see Miss Cardigan. The

examination had passed as I could have wished it might; all

had gone well; and I could afford to put by that whole train

of thought, even as I put up my school-books and stowed them

away; being things that I should not immediately want again.

Some time would pass, it was likely, before I would need to

refresh my memory with mathematics or philosophy. My music was

another matter, and I kept that out.

I put my books hastily as well as securely away; and then took

my hat and rushed over to Miss Cardigan's. It was a very warm

June day. I remember now the cool feeling of her marble hall.

Miss Cardigan sat in her matted parlour, busy as always,

looking quiet and comfortable in a white muslin wrapper, and

neat as a pin; also an invariable thing. Something in the

peaceful, settled, calm air of the place impressed me, I

suppose, with a feeling of contrast; of an uninvaded,

undisturbed domain, which changes were not threatening. I had

gone over the street hurriedly; I walked into the room with a

slow step.

"Daisy! my dear child!" Miss Cardigan exclaimed, - "is it you?

and is all over? I see it is. Just sit down, and you shall

have some strawberries; you look tired, my love."

I sat still, and waited, and eat my strawberries.

"Miss Cardigan," I said at length, "what is Christian's

address in Washington?"

"In Washington? I don't know. Did he never give it to you?"

"No, ma'am; nothing except 'Washington.' "

"I suppose that is enough. Haven't you written to him?"

"I have written once. - I have been thinking, Miss Cardigan,

that I must stop the writing."

"Altogether?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"His writing too?"

"Yes. My father and mother do not know - and I cannot ask

them, - and -"

"You are right," Miss Cardigan answered sorrowfully. "And yet

you will let your engagement stand, Daisy?"

"I cannot break my part of it, ma'am. I - nor they - cannot

change what is, and what has been done. The future is in their

hands - or in God's hands, rather."

Miss Cardigan sighed.

"And what then, dear, about the address?" she said.

"Because, Miss Cardigan, I am going there. I am going to

Washington."