"Dr. Sandford," said the child, "won't you tell me a little?"
The inquiry was piteous. For some reason or other, the doctor did not answer it with a put-off, nor with flattering words, as doctors are so apt to do. Perhaps it was not his habit, but certainly in other respects he was not too good a man to do it. He sat down and let the moonlight show Daisy his face.
"Daisy," he said, "your father was stunned by his blow, and needs to be kept in perfect quiet for a time, until he is quite over it. People after such a fall often do; but I do not know that any other consequences whatever will follow."
"He was stunned " repeated Daisy.
"Yes."
The child did not say any more, yet her eyes of searching eagerness plainly asked for fuller information. They were not content nor at rest.
"Can't you have patience, and hope for other tidings tomorrow?"
"May I? " said Daisy.
"May you? Certainly. It was your mother's wish to send you here not mine. It was not needful; though if you could be content, I think it would be well."
She looked a little relieved; very little.