Daisy thought so too, but had some faith in Preston's and Mrs.
Sandford's powers of transforming and mystifying the present very
natural appearance of the performers. However, she was beginning to be
of the opinion that it was good fun even now.

"Now, Daisy,--come, we must practise putting _you_ in position," said
Mrs. Sandford. "We will take something easy first--what shall it
be?--Come! we will try Priscilla's courtship. Where is your John Alden,
Preston?"

Preston quietly moved forward Alexander Fish and seated him. Daisy began
to grow warm with trepidation.

"You must let your hair grow, Sandie--and comb out your long curls into
your neck; so,--do you see? And you will have to have a dress as much as
Priscilla. This tableau will be all in the dress, Mrs. Sandford."

"We will have it. That is easy."

"Now, Alexander, look here, at the picture. Take that attitude as nearly
as you can, and I will stroke you into order.--That is pretty
well,--lean over a little more with that elbow on your knee,--you must
be very much in earnest."

"What am I doing?" said Alexander, breaking from his prescribed
attitude to turn round and face the company.

"You are making love to Priscilla; but the joke is, you have been
persuaded to do it for somebody else, when all the time you would like