第11章 FATHER AND SON(3)

"Yes,sir,"Harry's voice grew still more earnest."And by that time,perhaps,I can express my regret to you,for things done and things left undone,with more convincingness."The older man made a slight gesture of rejection with one well-kept hand."Let bygones be bygones,"he returned briefly.

"When I think,"pursued Harry,his impulsive manner in strange contrast to that of his listener,"that if I had been behaving myself all this time,I might have seen dear old Lawrence again!"Mr.Evringham kept silence.

"How are Madge and Eloise?I thought perhaps Madge might come in and meet us at the train.""They are in the best of health,thank you.Eh--a--I think if you'll call your daughter now we will go.It's rather a long ride,you know.

No express trains at this hour.When you return we will have more of a visit."Harry and his wife exchanged a glance."Why Jewel is asleep,"answered the young man after a pause."She was so sleepy she couldn't hold her eyes open.""You mean you've let her go to bed?"asked Mr.Evringham,with a not very successful attempt to veil his surprise and annoyance.

"Why--yes.We supposed she would see us off,you know.""Your memory is rather short,it strikes me,"returned his father.

"You sail at eight A.M.I believe.Did you think I could get in from Bel-Air at that hour?""No.I thought you would naturally remain in the city over night.You used to stay in rather frequently,didn't you?""I've not done so for five years;but you couldn't know that.Is it out of the question to dress the child again?I hope she is too healthy to be disturbed by a trifle like that."Mrs.Evringham cast a startled look at her father-in-law."It would disappoint Jewel very much not to see us off,"she returned.

Mr.Evringham shrugged his shoulders."Let it go then.Let it go,"he said quickly.

Harry's plain face had grown concerned."Is Mrs.Forbes with you still?"he asked.

"Oh,yes.I couldn't keep house without Mrs.Forbes.Well,"rising,"if you young people will excuse me,I believe I will go to the club and turn in.""Couldn't you stand it here one night,do you think?"asked Harry,rising."The club is rather far uptown for such an early start.""No.I'll be on hand.I'm used to rising early for a canter.I'll take it with a cab horse this time.That will be all the difference."And with this attempt at jocularity,Mr.Evringham shook hands once more and departed,swallowing his ill-humor as best he could.Any instincts of the family man which might once have reigned in him had long since been inhibited.This episode was a cruel invasion upon his bachelor habits.

Left alone,Harry and his wife without a word ascended to their room and with one accord approached the little bed in the corner where their child lay asleep.

The man took his wife's hand."I've done it now,Julia,"he said dejectedly."It's my confounded optimism again.""Your optimism is all right,"she returned,smoothing his hand gently,though her heart was beating fast,and the vision of her father-in-law,with his elegant figure and cold eyes,was weighing upon her spirit.

Harry looked long on the plain little sleeping face,so like his own in spite of its exquisite child-coloring,and bending,touched the tossed,straight,flaxen hair.

"We couldn't take her,I suppose?"he asked.

"No,"replied the yearning mother quietly."We have prayed over it.We must know that all will be right.""His bark is worse than his bite,"said Harry doubtfully."It always was;and Mrs.Forbes is there.""You say she is a kind sort of woman?"

"Why,I suppose so,"uncertainly."I never had much to do with her.""And your sister?Isn't it very strange that she didn't come in to meet us?I was so certain I should put Jewel into her hands I feel a little bewildered.""You're a trump!"ejaculated Harry hotly,"and you've married into a family where they're scarce.Madge might have met us at the train,at least.""Perhaps she is very sad over her loss,"suggested Julia.

"In the best of health.Father said so.Oh well,she never was anything but a big butterfly and Eloise a little one.I remember the last time I saw the child,a pretty fairy with her long pink silk stockings.She must have been just about the age of Jewel."The mother stooped over the little bed and the dingy room looked pleasanter for her smile."Jewel hasn't any pink silk stockings,"she murmured,and kissed the warm rose of the round cheek.

The little girl stirred and opened her eyes,at first vaguely,then with a start.

"Is it time for the boat?"she asked,trying to rise.

Her father smoothed her hair."No,time to go to sleep again.We're just going to bed.Good-night,Jewel."He stooped to kiss her,and her arms met around his neck.

"It was an April fool,wasn't it?"she murmured sleepily,and was unconscious again.

The mother hid her face for a moment on her husband's shoulder."Help me to feel that we're doing right,"she whispered,with a catch in her breath.

"As if I could help you,Julia!"he returned humbly.

"Oh,yes,you can,dear."She withdrew from his embrace,and going to the dresser,took down her hair.The smiling face of a doll looked up at her from the neighboring chair,where it was sitting bolt upright.

Her costume was fresh from the modiste,and her feet,though hopelessly pigeon-toed,were encased in bronze boots of a freshness which caught the dim gaslight with a golden sheen.

Mrs.Evringham smiled through her moist eyes.

"Well,Jewel wassleepy.She forgot to undress Anna Belle,"she said.

Letting her hair fall about her like a veil,she caught up the doll and pressed it to her heart impulsively."You are going to stay with her,Anna Belle!I envy you,I envy you!"she whispered.An irrepressible tear fell on the sumptuous trimming of the little hat.

"Be good to her;comfort her,comfort her,little dolly."Hastily wiping her eyes,she turned to her husband,still holding the doll.

"We shall have to be very careful,Harry,in the morning.If we are harboring one wrong or fearful thought,we must not let Jewel know it.""Oh,I wish it were over!I wish the next month were over!"he replied restively.