One day passed after another, and Daisy looked longingly for her summons home, and still she did not receive it.

Her fears and agonies were somewhat quieted; because Dr.Sandford assured her that her father was getting better; but he never said that her father was well, or that he had not been very ill.

Daisy knew that the matter had been very serious that had prevented her being at Melbourne all these days.

Her imaginings of evil were doubtful and dim; but it seemed to her that her father himself would have commanded her presence in all ordinary circumstances; and a doubt like an ice-wind sometimes swept over her little spirit, whether he could be too ill to know of her absence! No word that could, be said would entirely comfort Daisy while this state of things lasted; and it was very well for her that she had a wise and energetic friend watching over her welfare, in the meanwhile.

If business could keep her from pining and hinder her from too much imagining, Dr.Sandford took care that she had it.