Daisy In The Field
Page 72I saw nothing in the town, almost literally, while we were
making our way through its streets. I was in a breathless
state; my senses could not play, or my mind could receive no
impression from them. It was disappointment and relief too,
when coming to the house where my father and mother lived, we
were told that the family were gone out of town on some
excursion and would not be back till evening. The servants
told us. This was no hotel, but a nice little private house
which my father had hired and where he and my mother were
living entirely at home.
I knew I was at home, as my feet pressed the stairs going up
to the little drawing-room. "At home." Not since we left
Melbourne had the exquisite sensation come over me. It came
everything. My eyes filled with tears of great joy, as I
mounted the stairs. I would not let Dr. Sandford see them. He,
I knew, felt like anything but crying for joy. He was
certainly very honestly fond of me and of my company, and I
was grateful for it.
The servant led us to a little drawing-room, out of which
another opened; over the simple furniture of which my mother's
hand had thrown a spell of grace. And luxurious enjoyment too;
that belonged to her. A soft rug or two lay here and there; a
shawl of beautiful colour had fallen upon a chair-back;
pictures hung on the walls, - one stood on an easel in a
corner; bits of statuary, bronzes, wood-carvings, trifles of
presence was felt in the harmony which subdued and united all
these in one delicious effect. My mother had almost an
Oriental eye for colour and harmony. It was like seeing a bit
of her, to be in her room. I lost my head for a moment,
standing in the middle of the floor; then I turned to Dr.
Sandford.
"Now you are happy," he said, extending his hand - "and I will
leave you."
"No, Dr. Sandford - you will sit down and be happy too."
"You could command me to sit down, undoubtedly; but I am
afraid my happiness is beyond your power."
"I wish it was not!" I said earnestly. "You have been very
His face flushed a little and paled, and the eyes which were
so fond of reading other people's seemed now to shun being
read. I could not understand his expression, but it troubled
me.
"Happiness is always beyond other people's power," I said; -
"but not beyond one's own."
"That's your confounded theory!" he answered, bringing the
word out very gingerly and with a little laugh. "I beg ten
thousand pardons, Daisy; but a slight expression of
indignation was an unavoidable indulgence just then. You would
make every one responsible for all the troubles that come upon
him!"