Daisy did not generally dine with her father and mother. To-day was a great exception to the rule. Even to-day she was not expected to eat anything till the dessert came on; she had had her dinner; so she had the more time for other things. Her place was by her mother; Capt. Drummond on the other side, and Gary McFarlane opposite. Then her aunt, Mrs. Gary, had arrived, just an hour before dinner; and she and her children and one or two other friends filled the table, and the talking and laughing went round faster than the soup. Daisy looked and listened, very much pleased to see her aunt and cousins, and amused; though as usual in her quiet fashion she gave no sign of it. "How did that party come off, Daisy?" said Mr. Gary McFarlane. "What party?" said Mrs. Gary. "Daisy's birthday entertainment." "Daisy invited all the gardeners and hay-makers to take supper and strawberries with her, Aunt Gary," said Ransom. "What is that?" said Mrs. Gary, looking to her sister. "Ransom has stated the matter correctly." "Gardeners and hay-makers! What was that for, Daisy?" "I thought it would give them pleasure, aunt Gary,--" said Daisy. "Give _them_ pleasure! of course, I suppose it would; but are we to give everybody pleasure that we can? At that rate, why not invite our footmen and chambermaids too? Why stop?" "I suppose that will be the next thing," said Mrs. Randolph. "Daisy, you must not eat that cheese." "What's Daisy's notion?" said Mrs. Gary, appealing to her brother-in-law. "A child's notion," said Mr. Randolph. "The worst you can say of it is, that it is Arcadian." "How did it go off, Daisy?" said Gary McFarlane. "I don't know," said Daisy. "I think it went off pretty well." "How did the hob-nails behave themselves?" "They had lots of things to eat," said Ransom. "I don't believe we shall have any strawberries for a day or two ourselves." "Did you give them strawberries?" said Mrs. Gary. "A tableful," said Ransom; "and baskets and baskets to take home." "Something new,--" said Mrs. Gary, eating her salad. "But how did the company behave?" said Mr. McFarlane. "I saw no behaviour that was not proper," Daisy answered gravely. She thought as much could not be said of the present company, seeing that servants were present. "What have you there, Daisy?" said her mother. "It is a birthday present, mamma. It is an Egyptian spoon." "An Egyptian spoon! Where did you get it?" "Mr. Dinwiddie--I mean, Nora gave it to me." "What about Mr. Dinwiddie?" "Nothing, mamma." "Then why did you speak his name?" "I don't know. He brought Nora to see me just now." "Where did you see him?" "In the library." "Mr. Randolph"--said the lady--"did Mr. Dinwiddie call to see you?" "He did me that honour," said Mr. Randolph; "but I think primarily his visit was to Daisy." "Who is Mr. Dinwiddie?" said Mrs. Gary, seeing a contraction in her sister's brow. "It's a Virginian name."