"He has had a little accident, Daisy; nothing that you need distress yourself about; but I wish him to be quite quiet for a little."
Daisy said nothing now, but the speech of her silent face was so eloquent that the doctor found it expedient to go on.
"He was riding this morning; his horse took him under the low bough of a tree, and his head got a severe blow. That is all the matter."
"Was papa thrown?" said Daisy, under her breath.
"I believe he was. Any horseman might be unseated by such a thing."
Daisy again was mute, and again the doctor found himself obliged to answer the agony of her eyes.
"I do not think he is in much, if any, pain, Daisy; but I want him to be still for a while. I think that is good for him; and it would not be good that you should disturb him. Your mother is there, and that is enough."
Daisy stood quite still for a few minutes. Then making an effort to withdraw herself from the doctor's arm, she said, "I will not go into the room I will not make any noise."
"Stop! Daisy, you must not go upstairs. Not this morning."
She stood still again, grew white and trembled.