"If you please, sir."
"Pray do not, Dr. Sandford!" said Mrs. Randolph. "Mr. Randolph will do it, or one of the servants. There is no occasion for you to trouble yourself."
"Thank you, ma'am, but I like to see after my patients myself.
Unless Daisy prefers other hands."
Mrs. Randolph protested. The doctor stood quiet, and looked at Daisy, waiting for her to say what she would like. Now Daisy knew, that of all hands which had touched her, the doctor's and Juanita's were far the best; and of those two, the doctor's; perhaps because he was the strongest. Her father was very kind and tender, but he did not understand the business.
"I should like Dr. Sandford to take me," she said, when she found she must speak.
"Then I will trouble you, Mrs. Randolph, for somebody to show me the way." And the doctor stooped, and put his strong arms under Daisy, and lifted her up.
"Quite a conquest, I declare, you have made, Dr. Sandford!" said Mrs. Randolph, laughing. "Preston, show the way, and I'll send June."
So the doctor marched off with Daisy, Preston going before to show the way. He carried her, without the least jar or awkwardness, through the company, out into the hall, and up the stairs. There June met him, and took Preston's office from him. Into Daisy's own room at last they came, and Dr. Sandford laid his little charge at once on her bed.
"You must not try to move, Daisy, until I see you again. Stay here till then."
"Yes, sir."