“What has been the agreeableness to-day, for instance?”

“O, a great deal; my ride in the chair,—­that was nice! and all our walk, and what you were telling me; and coming over the river—­” Daisy paused.

“And what do you think of being carried in the arms of gentlemen,” said Mrs. Gary, who had overheard a few words,—­“while other little girls have to get along as they can? as tired as you are, I dare say.”

“I cannot help it, aunt Gary,” said Daisy.  But the remark served to justify her view of things; for what had in truth been altogether agreeable up to that minute was so no longer.  Daisy was uneasy.

“Dr. Sandford,” she whispered after a few moments,—­“I am rested—­I can stand now.  I am tiring you.  Please set me down.”

“No.  Be quiet, Daisy,” said her friend peremptorily.  And as the little head went down again obediently on his shoulder, he gave again a gentle kiss to her lips.  Daisy did not mind Mrs. Gary after that.

The storm slackened off now rapidly.  The patter of the rain lessened and grew still; a sweet reviving air blew in at the windows.  Of course the road was drenched with wet and every tree dripping; nevertheless the journey must be made to the boats, and the poor ladies were even glad to set out to undertake it.  But it would not be an easy journey either, on the whole.  Some time before this the doctor had despatched Logan on an errand.  He now declared he must wait for his return; and desired Mr. Randolph to go forward and help take care of the rest of the party and have no concern about Daisy; he would keep her in charge.

“Shall I do that, Daisy?” said Mr. Randolph, fearing it might trouble her.  But Daisy said, “Yes, papa”—­with no hesitation; and the plan was acted upon.  Gathering up their floating muslin dresses, tying handkerchiefs over their heads, with shrinking and yet eager steps, one by one they filed out at the door of the little hut.  Just as the last one went, Logan came; he had been to the boats and brought thence the doctor’s cloak, which, with more providence than the rest of the party who were less used to travelling, he had taken the precaution to bring.  Now this, by the doctor’s order, was spread over Daisy’s chair, which having been pushed out of doors, had got wet; she was placed in it then, and the folds of the cloak brought well round and over her, so that nothing could be more secure than she was from the wet with which every leaf and bough was dripping overhead, and every foot of soil loaded underneath.  Dr. Sandford took one end of the poles and Logan the other, and the last of the party they set forth.  Why Dr. Sandford had made this arrangement, was best known to himself.  Perhaps he preferred it to having Mrs. Fish on his arm, who was a very fine lady; perhaps he preferred it to the attentions he might have had to pay to the younger damsels of the party, who would all three have been on his hands at once, very likely.  At all events he did prefer to be one of the chair-bearers, and Daisy was very glad of it.