"Oh, no, mamma."
"What did you put up your hand to your brow for?"
"Mamma?" said Daisy, very much bewildered. For she knew nothing was the matter, and she could not guess what her mother was thinking of. Moreover, somehow, Mrs. Randolph's words or manner had acted to stop the voices of all the company in her neighbourhood; and everybody was waiting and looking to see what the subject of interest might be. Mrs. Randolph's words could come now with their usual calm distinctness; and Daisy's answers, no matter how softly spoken, could be well heard. In a good deal of wonder Daisy repeated, "Mamma?"
"You put up your hand and sat with your eyes covered did you not, just now?"
"Yes, mamma."
No need to bid anybody look and listen now; the rosy flush that had spread itself all over Daisy's pale cheeks sufficiently aroused curiosity.
"I notice that you do so before every meal is it not the case?"
"Yes, mamma."
Dr. Sandford could hear the caught breath. He did not look, except by a glance, but he listened.
"What does that mean, Daisy?"