"For you, papa."
"Nobody else, Daisy?"
He was holding me close in his arms and looking down into my face. I believe the colour must have come into my cheeks.
"Ah, I thought so!" he said. "Even so soon, Daisy, you are leaving me for somebody else."
"Papa!" I exclaimed, hiding my face in his neck, - "I will never leave you, till you say so."
"Till I say so? I will not be over selfish, my dear child. I do not mean that."
"Who is it to be, Daisy?" my mother's voice said behind us.
I started up in absolute terror. What had I said? and what did she mean? I looked at her, speechless.
"Well?" she said laughing, "what is the matter? You need not turn white about it. Is your father the only one to be in your confidence? I will withdraw then."
"Stop! - Mamma!" I cried; "what are you saying? There is no confidence. What are you talking about?"