"No, sir; her dinner was little better than nothing." "Then make a cup, in your best style, Mrs. Benoit--and perhaps you will give me one. And have you got any more of those big raspberries for her? bring them and a bit of toast." While Juanita was gone on this business, which took a little time, the doctor slowly paced back and forth through the small cottage room, with his hands behind him and a thoughtful face. Daisy fancied he was considering her affair; but she was very much mistaken; Dr. Sandford had utterly forgotten her for the moment, and was pondering some difficult professional business. When Juanita appeared with her tea tray, he came out of his abstraction; and though still with a very unrelaxed face, he arranged Daisy's pillows so that she might be raised up a little and feel more comfortable. His hands were strong and skilful, and kind too; there was a sort of pleasure in having them manage her; but Daisy looked on with a little wonder to see him take the charge of being her servitor in what came afterwards. He made her a cup of tea; let her taste it from his hands; and gave the plate of raspberries into her own. "Is it good?" he asked her. "Very good!" Daisy said, with so gentle and reverential a look at him that the doctor smiled. He said nothing however at present but to take care that she had her supper; and looked meanwhile to see the colour of Daisy's cheeks change a little, and the worn, wearied lines of her face take a more natural form. His own ministrations were more effectual than the eating and drinking; it was so very odd to have Dr. Sandford waiting upon her that Daisy was diverted, and could not help it. "Will you take some tea too, Dr. Sandford?" she said in the midst of this. "Won't you take it now, while it is hot?" "I take my tea cold, Daisy, thank you. I'll have it presently." So he poured out his own cup and left it to cool while he attended to Daisy; and when she would have no more, he took the cup from the tray and sent Mrs. Benoit off with the rest of the things. "Now Daisy," said he as he took away her bolstering pillows and laid her nicely down again, "now, Daisy, I am your confidential friend and physician, and I want to know what command Mrs. Randolph has given to trouble you. It is my business to know, and you must tell me." He was so cool about it, and so determined, that Daisy was staggered. He stood holding her hand and waiting for her answer. "Mamma--" Daisy came to a great stop. The doctor waited. "It was about the little girl." "Very well. Go on, Daisy." He took up his cup of tea now and began to sip it. Poor Daisy! She had never been more bewildered in her life. "What about the little girl?" "Mamma--doesn't want me to teach her." "Is it so favourite an amusement?" "No, sir--" said Daisy hesitatingly. "Was that all the trouble?" "No, sir."