Make It Happen

And if you like it better

Mrs. Sandford is obliged to stop in New York with a sick sister; how long she may be kept there it is impossible to say. Now you would have a dull time, I am afraid ; and I am in doubt whether it would not be pleasanter for you to enter school at once. In about three months the school term will 23end and the summer vacation begin; by that time Mrs. Sandford will be at home and the country ready to receive you. But you shall do whichever you like best.”Mrs. Sandford will be in New York?’ I said.’Yes.”And I would see you constantly, dear, and have you with me all the Saturdays and Sundays and holidays., you shall be with me all the time; only I should be obliged to leave you alone too much.”How long does the summer vacation last?’I inquired.’Till some time in September. You can enter school now, or then, as you choose.’I thought and hesitated, and said I would enter at once. Dr. Sandford said I was not fit for it, but it was on the whole the best plan. So it was arranged; that I should just wait a day or two in New York to get my wardrobe in order and then begin my school experience.But my thoughts went back afterwards, more than once, to the former conversation; and I wondered what it was about me that made Dr. Sandford liken me to Egyptian glass.CHAPTER IX.SHOPPING .It was settled that I should wait a day or two in New York to get my wardrobe arranged, and then begin my school experience. But when we got to New York, we found Mrs. Sandford’s sister so ill as to claim her whole time. There was none to spare for me and my wardrobe. Mrs. Sandford said I must attend to it myself as well as I could, and the doctor would go with me. He was off duty, he reported, and at leisure for ladies’ affairs. Mrs. Sandford told me what I would need. A warm school dress, she said; for the days would be often cold in this latitude until May, and even later; and schoolrooms not always warm. A warm dress for every day was the first thing. A fine merino, Mrs. Sandford said, would be, she thought, what my mother would choose. I had silks which might be warm enough for other occasions. Then I must have a thick coat or cloak. Long coats, with sleeves, were fashionable then, she told me; the doctor would take me where I would find plenty to choose from. And I needed a hat, or a bonnet. Unless, Mrs. Sandford said, I chose to wear my riding cap with the feather; that was warm, and very pretty, and would do.How much would it all cost? I asked. Mrs. Sandford made a rapid calculation. The merino would be two dollars a yard, she said; the coat might be got for thirty-five or thereabouts sufficiently good ; the hat was entirely what I chose to make it. ‘But you know, my dear,’ Mrs. Sandford said, ‘the sort of quality and style your mother likes, and you will be guided by that.’Must I be guided by that?— I questioned with myself. Yes, I knew. I knew very well; but I had other things to think of. I pondered. While I was pondering, Dr. Sandford was quietly opening his pocketbook and unfolding a roll of bills. He put a number of them into my hand.’That will cover it all, Daisy,’ he said. ‘It is money your father has made over to my keeping, for this and similar purposes.”O thank you !’ I said breathless ; and then I counted the bills. ‘O thank you, Dr. Sandford! but may I spend all this?”Certainly. Mr. Randolph desired it should go, this and more of it, to your expenses, of whatever kind. This covers my sister’s estimate, and leaves something for your pocket besides.”And when shall we go?’ I asked.’To spend it? Now, if you like. Why Daisy, I did now know —”What, sir?’ I said as he paused.’Really, nothing,’ he said smiling. ‘Somehow I had not fancied that you shared the passion of your sex for wbat they call shopping. You are all alike, in some things.”I like it very much to-day,’ I said.’It would be safe, for you to keep Daisy’s money inthan anything.