第17章 JEWEL'S ARRIVAL(3)
"I have a"--she was intending to communicate to Mrs.Forbes the exciting detail of her wardrobe when the housekeeper interrupted her.
"My son's name is Ezekiel,"she said impressively.
"Oh,"returned Jewel abashed."He told me Zeke."She still stood in the middle of the large white room,Anna Belle in her arms,and with the surprised look in her serious face drew upon herself an unflattering mental comment.
"The image of Harry,"thought Mrs.Forbes.
"Can I see aunt Madge and cousin Eloise?"asked the child,beginning to feel some awe of the large woman regarding her.
"They're getting ready to go out to lunch.They can't be disturbed now.You can sit here,or walk around until lunch time.You'll know when that is ready,because the gong will sound in the hall.Now when you go downstairs be careful not to touch the tall clock on the landing.That is a very valuable chiming clock,and you mustn't open its doors,for fear you would break something.Then if you go into the parlor you must never play on the piano unless you ask somebody,for fear Mr.Evringham might be trying to take a nap just at that time;then you mustn't go into the barn without permission,for it's dangerous where the horses are,and you might get kicked.If you're tired from your journey you can lie down now till lunch time;but whenever you do lie down,be sure to turn off this white spread,for fear you might soil it.Now I'm very busy,and I shan't see you again till lunch."Mrs.Forbes departed and Jewel stood for half a minute motionless,feeling rather dazed by a novel sensation of resentment.
"As if we were babies!"she whispered to her doll."She's the most afraid woman I ever saw,and she looks so sorry!She isn't our relation,so no matter,dearie,what she says.This is father's room,and we can think how he used to run around here when he was a little boy."Tiptoeing to the door,Jewel closed it and began to inspect her new apartment.
The sweet smelling soap on the marble stand,the silver mountings of the faucets,the large fine towels,the empty closet and drawers,all looked inviting.Throughout her examination the little girl kept pausing to listen.
Surely aunt Madge and cousin Eloise would look in before they went out to their engagement.Mother had so often said how nice it was that they were there.Surely they didn't know that she had arrived.That was it,of course;and Mrs.Forbes was so sorry and anxious she would probably forget to tell them.
Some altercation was just then going on in the apartments of those ladies.
"We ought to speak to her before we go,"said Mrs.Evringham persuasively."Father would probably resent it if we didn't.""I have told you already,"returned Eloise,"that I do not intend doing one thing henceforward that grandfather could interpret as being done to please him.""But that is carrying it ridiculously far,not to greet your cousin,who has come from a journey and is your guest.""My guest!"returned the girl derisively."We are hers more likely.Iwill not go to her.The sooner grandfather sends us away the better."Mrs.Evringham looked worried.
"This is mania,Eloise!"she returned coaxingly."Very well,I shall go and speak to the child.She shan't be able to tell her grandfather of any rudeness."In a few minutes Jewel,sitting by her window,Anna Belle in her lap,heard the frou-frouof skirts in the hall,and with a knock at the door,a lady entered.She was arrayed in a thin black gown and wore a large black hat,that was very becoming.
Jewel's admiration went out to her on the instant and she started up.
The lady swept toward her,and bending,a delicate perfume wafted about Jewel as she felt a light touch of lips on her cheek.
"So this is Julia Evringham,"said the newcomer.
"And you are aunt Madge,"returned the child gladly,clinging to the gloved hand,which endured for a moment,and then firmly disengaged itself.
"Your father and mother got off all right I hope?"went on the airy voice."I'm always afraid of winds at this season myself,but they may not have them.Your cousin Eloise and I are hurrying away to a luncheon,but we shall see you at dinner.You're very comfortable here?That's right.Good-bye."She swept away,and the light again faded from Jewel's face as she went slowly back to her seat.
"Aunt Madge is afraid,too,"she said to the doll."We know there won't be winds,don't we,dearie?God will take care of father and mother."An uncomfortable lump rose towards the child's throat.
Mrs.Evringham followed Eloise into the brougham,smiling.
"It couldn't be better,"she announced with much satisfaction as they drove away.
"What?"
"She is plain--oh,plain as possible.Small eyes,large mouth,insignificant nose.She will never get on with father.He never could endure ugliness in a girl or woman.I have heard him say it was unpardonable.If it hadn't been that we were what we are,Eloise,Ishould never have dreamed of doing as I have done.Now if only some good fairy would open your eyes to see which side your bread is buttered on!You could do marvels with such a foil for contrast."