"Oh no," I said; "I never can work at it then. I get up earlier the next morning."
"Do you do nothing for exercise but those walks, which you do not take?"
"I used to ride last year," I said; "and this year I was stronger, and Miss Pinshon gave me more studies; and somehow I have not cared to ride so much. I have felt more like being still."
"You must have grown tremendously wise, Daisy," said the doctor, looking round at me now with his old pleasant smile. I cannot tell the pleasure and comfort it was to me to see him; but I think I said nothing.
"It is near the time now when you always leave Magnolia, is it not?"
"Very near now."
"Would it trouble you to have the time a little anticipated?"
I looked at him, in much doubt what this might mean. The doctor fumbled in his breast pocket and fetched out a letter.
"Just before your father sailed for China, he sent me this. It was some time before it reached me; and it was some time longer before I could act upon it."