Daisy managed to get the old woman to eat, supplying her with various things, every one of which was accepted with--"Thank you, Miss," and "Blessings on ye!" and turning away from her at last, saw her handmaids approaching from the house. The girls, however disposed to stand upon their dignity, could not refuse to do what their little mistress was doing; and a lively time of it they and Daisy had for the next hour, with all the help Sam and Mrs. Stilton could give them. Daisy saw that strawberries and cream, cake and coffee, were thoroughly enjoyed; she saw too that the honour of being served off silver and china was duly felt. If her father had but come out to say a kind word! but he did not come. His little substitute did all a substitute could do; and at last when everybody seemed in full tide of merry-making, she stole away that they might have no constraint upon it. Before she had got far, she was startled by a noise behind her, and looking round saw that all the tableful had risen to their feet. The next instant there was a great shout. Daisy could not imagine what they were doing, but she saw that they were all looking at her. She came back a step or two. Now there was another shout greater than the other; the women flourished handkerchiefs, the men waved their arms above their heads. "Long life to ye!" "Good luck to ye forever!" "Blessings on ye for a lady!" "Many thanks to ye, Miss Daisy!" "May ye niver want as good!" "Hurra for the flower of Melbourne!"--Shouts various and confused at last made Daisy comprehend they were cheering _her_. So she gave them a little courtesy or two, and walked off again as fast as she thought it was proper to go. She went home and to the library, but found nobody there; and sat down to breathe and rest; she was tired. Presently Ransom came in. "Hallo, Daisy!--is nobody here?" "No." "Have you seen your things yet?" "My things?--what things?" "Why your _things_--your birthday things. Of course you haven't or you'd know. Never mind, you'll know what I mean by and by. I say, Daisy----" "What?" "You know when papa asked you this morning why you didn't go yesterday to Crum Elbow?----" "Yes." "Why didn't you tell him?" Daisy hesitated. Ransom was cutting a pencil vigorously, but as she was silent he looked up. "Why didn't you tell him? did you tell him _afterwards_?" "Why no, Ransom!" "Well why didn't you?--that's what I want to know. Didn't you tell anybody?" "No, of course not." "Why didn't you, then?" "Ransom----" said Daisy doubtfully. "What? I think you're turned queer." "I don't know whether you'd understand me." "Understand _you_! That's a good one! I couldn't understand _you_! I should rather like to have you try." "Well, I'll tell you," said Daisy. "Just do." "Ransom, you know who the Lord Jesus Christ is." "I used to; but I have forgotten." "Oh Ransom!" "Come, go ahead, and don't palaver."