"Only pretty well!--for your birthday! Do you think now you made a good
choice, Daisy?"

"Yes, sir--I think I did."

"What has been wanting? I am afraid your ham did not figure on the
board, if it is so empty?"

Daisy did not answer, but her father watching her saw something in her
face which made him pursue the subject.

"Did it?"

"No, papa," said Daisy, colouring a little.

"How was that?"

"Joanna arranged everything that was to go on the table."

"And left the ham out of the question? It seems to me that was a
mistake, though I am not much of a housekeeper. Why was that?"

"Papa," said Daisy, "do you think I would make a wrong use of a ham?"

Mr. Randolph laughed. "Why Daisy, unless you are a finished economist,
that might be. Do you mean that I am not to know the particular use made
of this ham?"

"Papa, I wish you would not desire to know!"