"The Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him."
And still as I looked, I remembered, - "In all their
afflictions He was afflicted;" - and, "My God shall supply all
your need, according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
The words came into my head; but apart from the words, the
rose seemed to say all these things to me. People who never
heard flowers talk would think me fanciful, I suppose.
"And you will go to that city of trouble, and you will not let
Christian know?" Miss Cardigan said after a while.
"Yes ma'am. - No ma'am," I answered.
"Suppose he should be angry about it?"
"Does he get angry?" I asked; and his aunt laughed.
"Does the child think he is perfect?"
"No, certainly," I said; "of course he has faults; but, Miss
Cardigan, I did not think anger was one of them, - or getting
angry."
"He will never get angry with you, Daisy, it is my firm
belief."
"But does he, easily, with other people?"
"There! I don't know," she said. "He used to be gay quick with
his temper, for all so gentle as he is. I wouldn't try him too
far, Daisy, with not letting him know."
"I cannot tell him -" I said, sighing.
For I knew, better than she did, what thorough good care would
be taken of me, and what small mercy such a visitor as Mr.
Thorold would meet at the hands of my guardians. So with a
doubtful heart I kissed Miss Cardigan, and went back over the
way to prepare for my journey. Which was, however, thrown over
by a storm till the next week.
The journey made my heart beat, in spite of all my doubts. It
was strange, to see the uniforms and military caps which
sprinkled every assemblage of people, in or out of the cars.
They would have kept my thoughts to one theme, even if
wandering had been possible. The war, - the recruiting for the
war, - the coming struggle, - the large and determined
preparation making to meet it, - I saw the tokens of these
things everywhere, and heard them on every hand. The long
day's ride to Washington was a long fever dream, as it seems
to me now; it seemed a little so to me then.
It was dark when we reached Washington; but the thought that
now became present with me, that anywhere Thorold might be,
could scarce be kept in check by the reflection that he
certainly would not be at the railway station. He was not
there; and Dr. Sandford was; and a carriage presently conveyed
us to the house where rooms for us were provided. Not a hotel,
I was sorry to find. By no chance could I see Thorold
elsewhere than in a hotel.