sort of pay is that?--which she gives, and does not mean to give,
and you take and do not ask for?"

"O!--_that_ sort of pay!" said Daisy. "Is it _that_ sort you mean, Dr.
Sandford?"

"That is one sort."

"But I mean, is it the sort that you always give, you say?"

"Always, when people deserve it. And then, do you not think it is
natural to wish to give them, if you can, some other sort of pay?"

"I think it is," said Daisy sedately.

"I am glad you do not disapprove of it."

"But I do not think people _want_ that other kind of pay. Dr. Sandford."

"Perhaps not. I suppose it is a selfish gratification of oneself to give
it."

Daisy looked so earnestly and so curiously at him, as if to see what all
this was about, that the doctor must have had good command of his lips
not to smile again.

They went in to dinner just then and the conversation stopped. But
though not talked to, Daisy was looked after; and when she had forgotten
all about dinner and was thinking mournfully of what was going on at
home, a slice of roast beef or a nice peach would come on her plate with
a word from the doctor--"You are to eat that, Daisy"--and though he said
no more, somehow Daisy always chose to obey him. At last they went into
the drawing-room again and were drinking coffee. Daisy was somewhat
comforted; she thought Dr. Sandford did not act as if there were
anything very dreadful the matter at home.

"Daisy," said the doctor, "you have done work for me to-day--would you
object to be paid?"

Daisy looked up smiling; it depended on what the pay might be, she
thought; but she said nothing.

"Would it be violently against your principles?"

"I do not want pay, Dr. Sandford."

"Not if I were to offer to give you a sight of those little baskets on
the frond of the _Marchantia_?"

Daisy's face all changed; but she said in the quietest manner, "Can you
do that, Dr. Sandford?"

"Come with me."

He held out his hand, which Daisy willingly took, and they went up
stairs together. Just short of her room the doctor stopped, and turned
into his own. This was a very plain apartment; there was no beauty of
furniture, though it struck Daisy there was a great deal of something.
There were boxes, and cabinets, and shelves full of books and boxes, and
bookcases, and one or two tables. Yet it was not a pretty-looking room,
like the others in Mrs. Sandford's house. Daisy was a little
disappointed. The doctor however gave her a chair, and t