"Mamma, what difference can that possibly make?"
They both laughed at me, and mamma said I would soon see.
"But, mamma," I urged, "that world and I have nothing in common. I should be out of my place in it, and it would find me something strange."
"It is quite time to have that altered then," she said. "You may be a nun if you choose afterward; but you shall know what the great world is, before you give it up; and it shall know you. You may spend your odd minutes in considering what dress you will wear for your first appearance, Daisy. Don't ask me for a white cambric and an apron with pockets."
I stood in much perplexity, not resolved what I ought to say next. Papa took my hand.
"It is not much, to show yourself," he said kindly. "What is the difficulty, Daisy?"
"You mean, show myself in a fine dress and in a fine assembly, papa?"
"I don't care about the dress," he answered.
"Yes, but you do, Mr. Randolph," said my mother. "Daisy would not wear a print, for instance, to the Grand Duke's ball. Your complexion, Daisy, will take any sort of colour; but rubies will look especially well on this skin, and pearls." She touched my face caressingly as she spoke, pushing back the hair from my temple and then bringing her hand down to take hold of my chin. "Little fool!" said she laughing - "does it dismay you?"
"Yes, mamma, - the thought of crossing your pleasure."