While Jewel still stood turning over in her mind what she had heard,charming strains of music began coming up through the hall.Cousin Eloise had gone to the piano.
"I almost which I hadn't made her tell me,"thought the child,"for how can I help grandpa not to be sorry they are here?Wouldn't I be sorry to have aunt Madge come and live with me when I never asked her to?"She stood for some minutes wrestling with the problem,but suddenly her expression changed."I was forgetting!"she exclaimed."Imustn't get sorry too.God is All.Mortal mind can't do anything about it."She closed her eyes,and pressing her hand to her lips,stood for a minute in mute realization;then with a smile of relief,she took up Anna Belle.
"Let's go down,dearie,and hear the music,"she said light heartedly.
When the summons to luncheon sounded and Mrs.Evringham entered the parlor,she found the child curled up in a big chair,her doll in her lap,listening absorbedly to the last strains of a Chopin Ballade.
"Do you like music,Julia?"she asked patronizingly,as her daughter finished and turned about.
"The child's name is Jewel,"said Eloise.
"Yes,aunt Madge,I love it,"replied the little girl;"and I didn't know people could play the piano the way cousin Eloise does."Mrs.Evringham smiled."I suppose you've not heard much good music.""Yes'm,I've heard our organist in church."
"And Jewel can make good music herself,"said Eloise."She can sing like a little lark.I've been up in her room this morning."Mrs.Evringham welcomed the look on her daughter's face as she made the statement."Thank fortune Eloise has played herself into good humor,"she thought.
"Indeed?I must hear her sing some time.You're playing unusually well this morning,my dear.I wish Dr.Ballard could have heard you.Come to luncheon."The three repaired to the dining-room,where Mrs.Forbes's glance immediately noted the presence of Anna Belle.She took her from Jewel's arms and placed her on a remote corner of the sideboard,in the middle of which glowed the American Beauty roses.
Mrs.Evringham approached them with solicitude.
"They're looking finely,Mrs.Forbes,"she said suavely."You surely understand the care of roses."She lifted the silver scissors that hung from her chatelaine and succeeded in severing one of the long stems.
"Here,little girl,"she added,advancing to Eloise,"you need this in your white gown to cheer us up this rainy day."The girl shrank and opened her lips to decline,but restrained herself and submitted to have the flower pinned amid her laces.
Jewel gazed at her in open admiration.The glowing color lent a wonderful touch to the girl's beauty.Mrs.Evringham laughed low at the fascinated look in the plain little face,and luncheon began.
To Jewel it differed much from the ones that had preceded it.Mrs.
Forbes might hover like a large black cloud,aunt Madge might rail at the weather which cut her off from her afternoon drive,but the morning's experience seemed to have put the child into new relations with all,and Eloise often gave her a friendly glance or smile as the meal progressed.
It was destined to a surprising interruption.In the midst of the discussion of lamb chops and Saratoga chips the door opened,and in walked Dr.Ballard.The shoulders of his becoming raincoat were spangled with drops,his hat was in his hand,a deprecatory smile brightened his face.
"Forgive me,won't you?"he said as he advanced to Mrs.Evringham and clasped the outstretched hand which eagerly welcomed him."It was my one leisure half hour to-day."He brought the freshness of the spring air with him,and he went on around the table shaking hands with the others,and finally drew up a chair beside Jewel.
"No,I can't eat anything,"he declared in response to the urging of Mrs.Evringham and the housekeeper."Can't stay long enough for that."His eyes fastened on the graceful girl opposite him,who was trying to offset her blushes by a direct and nonchalant gaze.The rose on her breast seemed to be scorching her cheeks.She knew that her mother was exulting in the lucky inspiration which had made her set it there.
"How good of you to come and cheer us!"exclaimed Mrs.Evringham."Do take off your coat and stay for a cosy hour.We will have some music.""Don't tempt me.I have an office hour awaiting me.I came principally to see this little girl."Jewel had leaned back in her chair and was watching his bright face expectantly.
"I'm glad of it,"rejoined Mrs.Evringham devoutly."I distrust these sudden recoveries,Dr.Ballard.Do make very sure that she hasn't one of those lingering,treacherous fevers.I've heard of such things."Dr.Ballard's eyes laughed into those of his little neighbor."She doesn't look the part,"he returned.
Jewel gave a glance around the table."Will you excuse me?"she said politely,then she reached up to the doctor's ear.
"Shall I go and get my money?"she whispered.
He shook his head."No,"he replied in a low tone."I came to thank you very much for your note,and to tell you that you don't owe me anything.I'm not usually a 'no cure,no pay'doctor.I take the money anyway,but this time I'm going to make an exception.""Why?"asked Jewel,speaking aloud as long as he did.
"Well,you see,you didn't take the medicine.That makes a difference.
Most people take it."
"Ye--es,"rejoined Jewel rather doubtfully.She was not sure of this logic.
"So now we're perfectly square,"went on the doctor,"but don't you fall ill again."He shook his head at her."I want us to remain friends.""We'd always be friends,wouldn't we?"returned Jewel,smiling into his laughing eyes.
"When is our golf coming off,Miss Eloise?"he asked,looking across the table again.
"When the weather permits,"she responded graciously.
