"My darling," said Primrose, "your poor little head must be wandering.
I don't understand what you mean, my dear little one. Of course it
would be only right of you to keep away from an ogre, and not to allow
one to touch you--but there are no ogres. Daisy love--there never were
such creatures. You need not make yourself unhappy about beings that
never existed. The fact is, Daisy, you are too much alone, and your
little head has got quite full of the idea of fairies. I must ask Mr.
Noel not to talk to you in so fanciful a manner."

"Oh don't, Primrose, for it is my one and only comfort. Oh! I am glad
you think I ought to keep out of the ogre's power. He is a dreadful,
dreadful ogre, and he has tried to get into the Palace, and I am
awfully afraid of him."

Then Daisy laughed quite strangely, and said, in a wistful little
voice--

"Of course, Primrose, this is only fairy-talk. I always was fond of
fairies, wasn't I? Primrose, darling, I want you to do a little thing
for me, will you?"

"Of course, Daisy. Why, how you are trembling, dear!"

"Hold my hand," said Daisy, "and let me put my head on your shoulder.
Now I'll ask you about the little thing, Primrose; there's your
letter from Mr. Danesfield on the table."

"Has it come?" said Primrose; "I am glad. I expected it yesterday
morning."