"I? No," said my aunt. "I have nothing to do with your
father's overseer. It would just make difficulty, maybe, Daisy; you had better let this scheme of yours alone."
I could not without bitter disappointment. Yet I did not know how further to press the matter. I sat still and said nothing.
"I declare, if she isn't growing pale about it!" exclaimed my aunt. "I know one thing, and that is, your father and mother ought to have taken you along with them. I have not the least idea how to manage you; not the least. What is it you want to do, Daisy?"
I explained over again.
"And now if you cannot have this trick of your fancy you will just fidget yourself sick! I see it. Just as you went driving all about Melbourne without company to take care of you. I am sure I don't know. It is not in my way to meddle with overseers—How many people do you want to read to at once, Daisy?"
"As many as I can, Aunt Gary. But Mr. Edwards will not let two or three meet together anywhere."
"Well, I dare say he is right. You can't believe anything in the world these people tell you, child. They will lie just as fast as they will speak."
"But if they came to see me, Aunt Gary?" I persisted, waiving the other question.
"That's another thing, of course. Well, don't worry. Call Preston. Why children cannot be children passes my comprehension."