"I really do not see what she has to do with it. Your aunt and uncle would be the ones to decide. Don't you want to do it--to see what sort of a home I have? It would be just a splendid time. Mamma is half in love with you. I am almost jealous again." "Oh, I can't think of anything more delightful," Helen cried eagerly, and Daisy did not need to doubt the pleasure illumining her face. "But Mrs. Van Dorn has planned----" "Oh, write to her and tell her how much you want to come," beseechingly. "There would hardly be time." "It would be nicer to take you home with me, but you could come afterward." "Why yes. However, I will see what Mrs. Aldred thinks." "Oh, go at once. I want to write back," exclaimed Daisy impatiently. Mrs. Aldred looked up from the pile of reports on her table, and said in a pleasantly inquiring tone, "Well?" then listened, but there was a tint of perplexity in her face. "I had a note from Mrs. Van Dorn by the last steamer also. She seems very well satisfied with your progress, only she is rather exigent about the French, and I wish you would do all you can at it during vacation. But she is very explicit about the summer. I think she prefers that you should spend it in Hope." She had been rather more than explicit, and said she did not approve of such young girls visiting about. Mr. Castles would send a trusty person for Helen and see her safely on the train for Hope. "Do you not think I might write to her about it for a visit later on?" "Yes, you could. But Mrs. Van Dorn is certain of her own wishes in any matter, and generally has good reasons. I do not imagine a visit like this would do you any harm, but you are young, and I _do_ suppose you owe your own people some respect. I think I should accept the fiat." Helen felt bitterly disappointed. She did not dream her girlish enthusiasm about Daisy Bell had been one of the factors in this command, as it really was, that Mrs. Van Dorn did not want any girl to gain a strong influence over Helen, but she need not have felt suspicious, as the influence was all the other way. It had come like a sudden vision, and now it was quenched in bitter regret, with the unappeased want back of it. "I do object to indiscriminate visiting for such young girls. If Mrs. Van Dorn were here and could see just the kind of girl Miss Daisy is, it would be different, but I suppose, if she thought at all, it was about the generality of girls, who sometimes are quite lawless in their own homes. Since you have accepted her direction for the next two years, it is best to do it cheerfully," advised Mrs. Aldred. "Yes, I _do_ owe her that much," returned Helen in a convinced tone, if the disappointment had not all gone out of it. Then Daisy and she had an unpleasant disagreement about it, and Helen felt sorrier than ever.