"Ransom!--come here.--What is this? your sister says you do not
understand her."

"Well, papa," said Ransom, an exceedingly handsome and bright-looking
boy and a great pet of his mother,--"there are things that are not deep
enough to be understood."

Daisy's lips opened eagerly and then closed again.

"Girls always use magnifying glasses where themselves are concerned!"
went on Ransom, whose dignity seemed to be excited.

"Hush, hush!" said his father,--"take yourself off, if you cannot
maintain civility. And your mother does not like fishing-tackle at the
breakfast-table--go! I believe," he said as Ransom bounded away, "I
believe conceit is the normal condition of boyhood."

"I am sure," said Mrs. Randolph, "girls have enough of it--and women
too."

"I suppose it would be rash to deny that," said Mr. Randolph. "Daisy, I
think _I_ understand you. I do not require so much depth as is necessary
for Ransom's understanding to swim in."

"If you do not deny it, it would be well not to forget it," said Mrs.
Randolph; while Daisy still in her father's arms was softly returning
his caresses.

"What shall we do on your birthday, Daisy?" said her father without
seeming to heed this remark.