The doctor sipped his cup of tea and looked at Daisy. He did not say anything more; yet his eyes so steadily waited for what further she had to say, that Daisy fidgeted; like a fascinated creature, obliged to do what it would not. She could not help looking into Dr. Sandford's face, and she could not withstand what she saw there. "Dr. Sandford," she began in her old-fashioned way, "you are asking me what is private between my mother and me." "Nothing is private from your physician, Daisy. I am not Dr. Sandford; I am your physician." "But you are Dr. Sandford to mamma." "The business is entirely between you and me." Daisy hesitated a little longer, but the power of fascination upon her was irresistible. "I was sorry not to teach the little girl," she said at length; "but I was particularly troubled because--because--" "Mrs. Randolph was displeased with your system of benevolence?" "No--not that. Yes, I was troubled about that too. But what troubled me most was--that mamma would not let me speak to her, to tell her why I must not teach her. I must not say anything to her again, at all." Dr. Sandford's eyes, looking, saw that Daisy had indeed spoken out her trouble now. Such a cloud of sorrow came over her brow; such witnessing redness about her eyelids, though Daisy let the witness of tears get no further. "What do you suppose was your mother's purpose in making that last regulation?" he went on in a cool business tone. "I don't know--I suppose to punish me,"--Daisy said faintly. "Punish you for what?" "Mamma did not like me to teach that little girl--and I had done it, I mean I had begun to do it, without asking her." "Was it a great pleasure?" said the doctor. "It would have been a great pleasure if I could have taught her to read," Daisy said, with her face brightening at the idea. "I presume it would. Well Daisy, now you and I will arrange this affair. I do not consider it wholesome for you to engage in this particular amusement at this particular time; so I shall endorse Mrs. Randolph's prohibition; but I will go round--Where does this girl live, and who is she?" "Her name is Hephzibah Harbonner; she lives in the village, on the road where the Episcopal church is--you know;--a little way further on. I guess it's a quarter of a mile." "South, eh? Well, I will go round by her house and tell the girl that I cannot let you do any such kindnesses just now, and that till I give her leave she must not come to see you. How will that do, Daisy?" "Thank you, Dr. Sandford!" He saw it was very earnestly spoken and that Daisy's brow looked clearer. "And instead of that amusement, you must study wonderful things to morrow. Will you?" "O yes, Dr. Sandford! But we have not finished about the sun yet." "No. Well--to-morrow, then, Daisy." "Thank you, sir. Dr. Sandford, mamma wanted me to ask you a question before you go." "Ask it." "How soon I can be moved home?" "Are you in a great hurry?" "No, sir, but I think mamma is."