"You shall be as abstract as you like," he said; "and as long
as you like. I give you leave."
"That's nonsense, though, Mr. Randolph," said my mother,
standing at the back of his chair. "Daisy cannot live in
abstractions for ever. She must choose, and let her choice be
known; and the sooner the better. Nobody can guess it now. She
has been abstract enough."
I was in the greatest perplexity at this speech, which
conveyed to me no meaning whatever. Let my choice be known?
Did mamma know about Mr. Thorold? I knew she could not; but
then, what did she mean?
"There is no hurry, Felicia," said papa.
"I will not have Daisy marry any but an American, Mr.
Randolph."
"Agreed. There is no present likelihood that she will."
"But when we get to Florence, Mr. Randolph, and she is seen in
the great world, things may not absolutely be within your
control - or mine."
Mamma stood tapping her fingers upon the back of my father's
chair, and I thought her very odd indeed. Her last sentence,
however, had a word that I could answer. I stood up and faced
her.
"Mamma," I said, "I am going to say something that you will
not like."
"Then do not say it, Daisy."
"I would not, if I could help it. But you know, mamma, I am a
servant of God - I have not changed, - and I and the 'great
world' have nothing in common."
"Well? -" said mamma calmly.
"I do not belong to it. I have no place in it."
"No, of course. You are just out of school. A few months more
will change all that."
"No, mamma, - please!"
"Yes, Daisy, - please!" she said, tapping my cheek with her
finger, and then leaning forward to kiss me with smiling lips.
"You do not know what you are talking about, my love. You are
made for the great world, Daisy. There is no danger of turning
your head; so I have no objection to explain to you that you
are magnificent."
"Mamma, what difference can that possibly make?"
They both laughed at me, and mamma said I would soon see.
"But, mamma," I urged, "that world and I have nothing in
common. I should be out of my place in it, and it would find
me something strange."
"It is quite time to have that altered then," she said. "You
may be a nun if you choose afterward; but you shall know what
the great world is, before you give it up; and it shall know
you. You may spend your odd minutes in considering what dress
you will wear for your first appearance, Daisy. Don't ask me
for a white cambric and an apron with pockets."