"What put that argument into your mouth?" he said. "And what is the reason that it is an argument? You are very absurd, Daisy! You are very absurd not to dance; so your mother says; and I am absurd too, by that reasoning; for I like you better than if you did. Well, not being a dancing girl, what is your petition? I reckon it will stand good, even to the half of my kingdom. Though indeed I do not know how much of a kingdom will remain to me, by the time matters are composed at home. There will be no crops grown at the South this year."
"It would not cost more to go to Palestine, would it, papa, than to live as we are doing now?"
"Palestine!" he exclaimed. "Your mother would never go to
Palestine, Daisy."
"But you and I might, papa, - for a few months. You know mamma wants to go to Paris, to be there with Aunt Gary, who is coming."
"She wants you there too, Daisy, I much suspect; not to speak of me."
"What better time can we ever have, papa?"
"I do not know. I am afraid your mother would say any other would be better."
"Papa, I cannot tell you how glad I should be to go now."
"Why, Daisy?" said papa, looking at me. "To my certain knowledge, there are several people who will be desolate if you quit Florence at this time - several besides your mother."
"Papa, - that is the very reason why I should like to go - before it becomes serious."