It was all she could bear to do.

She peeled it carefully and slowly; there never was a peach so long in paring; for it was hardly more than finished when they rose from table.

She had tried to taste it too; that was all; the taste never reached her consciousness.

Mrs.Sandford knew better than her husband, and let her alone.
Daisy could think of nothing now but to watch for the doctor; and to do it with the most comfort and the best chance she placed herself on the steps of the piazza, sitting down on the uppermost step.

It was a fair evening; warm and mild; and Mrs.Sandford sitting in her drawing-room with the windows open was but a few feet from Daisy and could observe her.