"Papa, if you would be so _very_ good as not to ask me that?"

"I am not good at all, Daisy. I ask,--and I mean to know."

Daisy was in trouble. No entreaty was worth a straw after that. She was
puzzled how to answer.

"Papa," she ventured, "I don't like to tell you, because Ransom would
not like I should."

"Ransom's pleasure must give way to mine, Daisy."

"He wanted the pony-chaise," said Daisy, looking very downcast.

"And you gave it him?"

"No, sir."

"What then? Daisy," said Mr. Randolph bringing her head round to face
him, "tell me what I want to know without any more questions."

"He took the chaise, papa,--that was all,--so I went this morning."

"Ransom knew you wanted it?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then Daisy, tell me further, why you did not give me this information
when I asked about your drive this morning at breakfast?"