第20章 THE FIRST EVENING(3)

"No,"returned Mrs.Evringham with her most gracious manner."It just happened that Eloise and I were engaged at luncheon to-day,and when we returned the little girl was taking a nap."By this time Mrs.Forbes had brought Jewel's soup and she was eating.

She looked up brightly at Mr.Evringham.

"Yes,grandpa,I went to sleep in your big chair on the piazza.Ididn't know it was your special chair until Mrs.Forbes waked me up."Her grandfather regarded her from under his heavy brows.He was resenting the fact that Eloise had made no effort to welcome the child."Indeed?"he returned."What did she wake you up for?""Because it was time to get ready for dinner,"returned Jewel."It reminded me of the story of Golden Hair,when she had gone to sleep on the bear's bed,the way Mrs.Forbes said,'This is your grandfather's chair!'"She looked around the table,expectant of sympathy.Only Mrs.

Evringham seemed to wish to laugh,and she was making heroic efforts not to do so.Lovely Eloise kept her serious eyes downcast.

"Ha!"ejaculated Mr.Evringham,after a lightning glance of suspicion at his daughter-in-law."I think I remember something about that.But Golden Hair tried three beds,I believe.""Yes,she did,but you see there wasn't any little bear's chair on the piazza.""Very true.Very true."

"Golden Hair was a great beauty,I believe,"suggested Mrs.Evringham,looking at the child oddly."She had yellow hair like yours."Jewel put up a quick hand to the short tight braid which ended behind her ear."Oh no,long,lovely,floating hair.Don't you remember?""It's a good while since I read it,"returned Mrs.Evringham,laughing low and glancing at Eloise.Her father-in-law sent her a look of displeasure and turned back to Jewel.

"Dr.Ballard found you on the train,I suppose?""Yes,grandpa.We had a nice time.He is a very kind man."The child glanced across at her cousin again.She wished cousin Eloise would lift her eyes and not look so sorry."I wonder,"she added aloud,"why Dr.Ballard called cousin Eloise a little girl."No one spoke,so Mrs.Evringham broke the momentary silence."Did he?"she asked.

"Yes,he said that my cousin Eloise was a very charming little girl."Jewel wondered why Eloise flushed and looked still sorrier,and why aunt Madge raised her napkin and turned her laugh into a cough.

Perhaps it teased young ladies to be called little girls.Jewel regretted having mentioned it.

"I guess he was just April-fooling me,"she suggested comfortingly,and the insistence of her soft gaze was such that Eloise looked up and met a smile so irresistible,that in spite of herself,her expression relaxed.

The softened look was a relief to the child."I've heard about you,of course,cousin Eloise,"she said,"and I couldn't forget,because your name is so nice and--and slippery.Eloise Evringham.Eloise Evringham.

It sounds just like--like--oh,like sliding down the banisters.Don't you think so?"Eloise smiled a little."I hadn't thought of it,"she returned,then relapsed into quiet.

Mrs.Forbes's countenance was stony."Children should be seen and not heard,"was her doctrine,and this dressmaker's child had an assurance beyond belief.She seemed to feel no awe whatever in her grandfather's presence.

The housekeeper caught Jewel's eye and gave her such a quenching look that thenceforward the little girl succumbed to the silence which the others seemed to prefer.

After dinner she would have a good visit with grandpa and talk about when father was a little boy.Her hopes were dashed,for just as they were rising from the table,a man was announced,with whom Mr.

Evringham closeted himself in the library.

In the drawing-room aunt Madge and cousin Eloise both set themselves at letter-writing,and entirely ignored Jewel.The child looked listlessly at a book with pictures,which she found on the table,until half-past eight,when Mrs.Forbes came to say it was time for her to go to bed.

She rose and stood a moment,turning hesitatingly from her aunt to her cousin.

"Oh,is it bedtime?"asked aunt Madge,looking up from her letter.

"Good-night,Julia.I hope you'll sleep well."Then she returned to her writing.

Eloise bit her lip as she regarded the little girl with a moment's hesitation,but no,she had decided on her plan of action.Mrs.Forbes was observing her.Eloise knew the housekeeper's attitude toward them was defensive,if not offensive."Good-night,"she said briefly,and looked down again.

"Good-night,"returned Jewel quietly,and went out.

In the hall she hesitated."I want to say good-night to grandpa,"she said.

"Well,you can't,"returned Mrs.Forbes decidedly."He is talking business and mustn't be disturbed."She followed the child up the staircase.

"I could go to bed alone,if I only knew where the matches are.""You said you could dress alone,but you had to ask Mrs.Evringham to button your frock.Remember after this that I am the one to ask.She and Miss Eloise don't want to be bothered.""Is it a bother to do a kindness?"asked Jewel in a subdued tone.

"To some folks it is,"was the response.They had reached the door of the child's room;"but some folks can see their duty and do it,"she added virtuously.

Jewel realized regretfully that her present companion belonged to the latter class.

"Now here,right inside the door,"proceeded Mrs.Forbes,"is the switch.There's electricity all over this house,and you don't need any matches.See?"Mrs.Forbes turned the switch and the white room was flooded with light.

A few hours ago this magic would have evoked much enthusiasm.Even now Jewel was pleased to turn the light on and off several times,as Mrs.

Forbes told her to do.