She is riding on a painted horse on the Merri-Go-Round. She knows somehow that this is the prettiest pony available because her Daddy chose it for her. She leans back and feels her strong arms around her. "Be careful, Nora. You don't want to fall off." His voice is calm, friendly, and reassuring. The ride ends and they walk together down the busy midway. His hand engulfs hers. "Nora, listen to me," he says earnestly, kneeling beside her in the powdery dirt. "I want to say that I'm very sorry to have left you." She looks back at him, somewhat puzzled. "S'okay, Daddy," she says cheerfully.