"Daisy, I know your face," said the doctor, anxiously; "and it
has just the determined gentleness I used to see at ten years
old. But you would yield to authority then, and you must now.
And you will."
"When it is properly exerted," I said. "But it is not now, Dr.
Sandford, and it will not be. I am perfectly well; and I am
going to do my work."
"You fainted just now from very exhaustion."
"I am not exhausted at all. Nor even tired. I am perfectly
well."
"I never knew you faint before."
"No," I said. "It is very disagreeable."
"Disagreeable!" said the doctor, half laughing, though
thoroughly disturbed. "What made you do it, then?"
I could not answer. I stood still, with cheeks I suppose again
growing so white, that the doctor hastily approached me with
hartshorn. But I put it away and shook my head.
"I am not going to faint again, thank you."
"Daisy, Daisy!" said the doctor, "don't you know that your
welfare is very dear to me?"
"I know it," I said. "I know you are like a good brother to
me, Dr. Sandford."
"I am not like a brother at all!" said he. "Cannot you see
that?"
"I do not want to see it," I answered sadly. "If I have not a
brother in you, I have nothing."
"Why?" he asked shortly.
But I made no answer, and he asked no more. He looked at me,
made a step towards the door, turned back, and came close to
me, speaking in a husky changed tone, "You shall command me, Daisy, as you have long done. Let me
know what to do to please you."
He went away then and left me. And I gathered my strength
together and went back to Mr. Thorold.