Part 30 (1/2)
CHAPTER XII.
AN ENGAGEMENT
The expedition to Annecy had been determined on, and papa and mamma were to go. I went in a carriage with them, while the others were on horseback; so I had a nice quiet time, which suited me; a time of curious secret enjoyment. It seemed as if a gratulation came to me from every blade of gra.s.s and every ray of sunlight; because I was a servant of G.o.d, and as wholly given up to do His will as they were. There was communion between them and me. Of those ”ministers of His, that do His pleasure,” I would be one; to do what He had for me to do in the world, should be my care and joy at once; and the care of myself - I left it to Him. One goes light when one does not carry that burden.
”Daisy, you are dreadfully sober,” said mamma.
”Not _dreadfully_, mamma, I hope,” I said with a smile.
”You are pale too,” she went on. ”Mr. Randolph, Daisy thinks too much.”
”It is an old weakness of hers,” said papa. ”I am afraid it is beyond our reach, Felicia.”
”I will break it up for to-day,” said mamma as the carriage stopped and Mr. De Saussure came to the steps. ”Charles, Daisy has got into a brown study. I give her to you in charge, not to allow anything of the sort again till we get home. And order luncheon at once, will you. I can't go walking or sight- seeing without that.”
Mr. de Saussure gave me his arm and took me with him, as he said, to help about the luncheon. It was soon spread out of doors, beneath the shade of some large trees, and we gathered round it in holiday mood. Bread was sweet, with that page of beauty spread out before my eyes all the time; - for between the boles of the trees and under their hanging branches I could see the glittering waters of the lake and a bit of its distant sh.o.r.e. I did not go into a brown study, however, not wis.h.i.+ng to give occasion to Mr. De Saussure's good offices. I thought he had quite enough enjoyed his charge during the business before luncheon. To my disappointment, after the meal papa declared himself tired and went to lie down.
”We have forgotten our agreement,” said Mr. De Saussure. ”At luncheon, we were all to tell, Mrs. Randolph, what we think the worthiest thing to live for.”
”Were we?” said mamma. ”That sounds like one of Daisy's problems.”
”It is not hers, however,” he rejoined; ”any further than that I am mainly curious to know what she will say about it.”
”You ought to be equally anxious about my opinion, it seems to me,” mamma said.
”Do I not know it already? Pour la patrie, - does anything go before that in your mind? Honestly, Mrs. Randolph, - is it not in your opinion the worthiest thing anybody can do, to fight, or to die - still better, - for the independence of the South?”
”You do not think so,” said mamma, ”or you would be there.”
”I am selfish, and have selfish hopes and fears. But you think so?”
”Let us hear what you consider the worthiest object of life,”
said mamma.
”It is not my turn. Miss Randolph, your mother has spoken - the next honour belongs to you.”
”The worthiest object of life?” I said. ”Is that the question?”
”It will not be a question, when you have answered it,” De Saussure said gallantly.
”You will not like my answer,” I said. ”I should think it would be, To please G.o.d.”
”But that is not an answer, pardon me. Of course, the Supreme Being is pleased to see people following the worthiest object; and the question is, What is the _worthiest?_”
I did not like to hear Mr. De Saussure's tongue touch themes where it was not at home. The conversation was too serious for light handling; but I could not get out of it.
”You will find that my answer includes all,” I said. ”It is impossible to lay down a rule, as to particulars, that will fit all cases. It is the best thing one man can do, to lay down his life for his country; the best thing another man can do is to stay at home and devote himself to the care of an infirm mother or father; but in either case, for G.o.d.”
”I do not understand -” said Mr. Marshall.