But Preston was vexed.  He did not like it that his word should not have as much weight with his little cousin as any other person’s, after her father and mother.  Like other boys, and men, for the most part, he was fond of having his own way even in little things; though he sought it in a polite fashion.  And Daisy was very fond of him, and always followed his lead; but now he could not move her.  He went off at a bound, and soon was out upon the water, with the girls and Alexander and Ransom also who had joined him.

Daisy would have liked the shelter of her mossy hiding-place again.  She stood in the shade of a tree looking after the boat; feeling very much left alone and greatly disposed to have a good crying time; but that was not her way of meeting trouble.  What a strange day of pleasure this Silver Lake business had turned out!  Yet Daisy had enjoyed many things in it; but her mother’s attack upon her at luncheon had sobered her completely.  It was such a sign of what she might expect.  Daisy presently fell to considering what she should do; and then remembered her old refuge, prayer; and then concluded that she was a very happy little girl after all.  And instead of being hurt that Nora had been with her so little that day, it was very natural, Daisy said to herself.  Of course, Nora wanted to go in the boat with Preston after fish; it was too good an opportunity to be lost; and of course she had liked to walk in the morning with the larger and gayer party.  It was all right, Daisy decided, although not what she herself would have done in the circumstances.  Would her note to her father have been reckoned “silly” too?  Very likely.  Daisy turned her wistful eyes to where he was; sitting in a group of ladies and gentlemen, talking.  Daisy could not go to him.  Further along, Mrs. Gary was fighting the heat under a tree by herself.  No attraction there.  Still further—­the doctor was standing talking to the two young ladies.  As Daisy looked, he quitted them and came towards her.

“Have I spoiled all your pleasure, Daisy?”

“No, sir.”

“Are you angry with me?”

The answer this time was given with such an affectionate bright smile that the doctor must have been hard not to feel it.

“You do not seem to have much pleasure on hand just now,” said he; “would you like to take a little walk with me, and see if we can find any wonderful things?”

Daisy’s face was quite answer enough, it was so full of content.  The doctor had no intention to tire her; be strolled along the borders of the lake, which was wild and lovely all the more as they got further away from the pic-nic ground.  Firs and oaks stood thick all along, with many other trees also; the ground was carpeted with layers of moss; great rocks rose up by the water’s edge, grey and brown with lichens.  It was not so hot now.  The sun’s glare was shielded off.  On a mossy carpet beside the water’s edge the doctor and Daisy sat down.  Undoubtedly the doctor had never taken so much trouble with a child before; but Daisy was a study to him.