Daisy In The Field

"The Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him."

And still as I looked, I remembered, - "In all their

afflictions He was afflicted;" - and, "My God shall supply all

your need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

The words came into my head; but apart from the words, the

rose seemed to say all these things to me. People who never

heard flowers talk would think me fanciful, I suppose.

"And you will go to that city of trouble, and you will not let

Christian know?" Miss Cardigan said after a while.

"Yes ma'am. - No ma'am," I answered.

"Suppose he should be angry about it?"

"Does he get angry?" I asked; and his aunt laughed.

"Does the child think he is perfect?"

"No, certainly," I said; "of course he has faults; but, Miss

Cardigan, I did not think anger was one of them, - or getting

angry."

"He will never get angry with you, Daisy, it is my firm

belief."

"But does he, easily, with other people?"

"There! I don't know," she said. "He used to be gay quick with

his temper, for all so gentle as he is. I wouldn't try him too

far, Daisy, with not letting him know."

"I cannot tell him -" I said, sighing.

For I knew, better than she did, what thorough good care would

be taken of me, and what small mercy such a visitor as Mr.

Thorold would meet at the hands of my guardians. So with a

doubtful heart I kissed Miss Cardigan, and went back over the

way to prepare for my journey. Which was, however, thrown over

by a storm till the next week.

The journey made my heart beat, in spite of all my doubts. It

was strange, to see the uniforms and military caps which

sprinkled every assemblage of people, in or out of the cars.

They would have kept my thoughts to one theme, even if

wandering had been possible. The war, - the recruiting for the

war, - the coming struggle, - the large and determined

preparation making to meet it, - I saw the tokens of these

things everywhere, and heard them on every hand. The long

day's ride to Washington was a long fever dream, as it seems

to me now; it seemed a little so to me then.

It was dark when we reached Washington; but the thought that

now became present with me, that anywhere Thorold might be,

could scarce be kept in check by the reflection that he

certainly would not be at the railway station. He was not

there; and Dr. Sandford was; and a carriage presently conveyed

us to the house where rooms for us were provided. Not a hotel,

I was sorry to find. By no chance could I see Thorold

elsewhere than in a hotel.