第31章 DR.BALLARD(1)

Mr.Evringham looked about,half in apprehension,half in anticipation,as he entered the dining-room the following morning.

Jewel had not arrived,so he settled himself to read his paper.Each time there was a sound he glanced up,bracing himself for the approach of light feet,beaming face,and an ardent embrace.His interest in the news gradually lessened,and his expectancy increased.She did not come.At last he began to suspect that the unprecedented had happened,and that Mrs.Forbes herself was late.

He looked at his watch with suddenly rising amazement.It was ten minutes past the appointed time.He began feeling around with his foot for the electric bell.It was an unaccustomed movement,for his wishes were usually anticipated.By the time he found it,he had become a seriously injured man,and the peal he rang summoned Sarah suddenly.

"Bring me my coffee at once,if you please.What is the matter?"The maid did not know.He was drinking his first cup when the housekeeper entered the room,flushed of countenance.

"You'll have to excuse me,Mr.Evringham.I couldn't come a minute sooner.Julia is sick.""Sick!I should like to know why?"

"Why,she got sopping wet in that brook yesterday,and here,just as Iknew it would be,she's got a fever."

"A fever,eh?"repeated Mr.Evringham in a startled tone.

"Yes,sir,and what's more,when I told her you would send for the doctor,it was worse than about the rubbers.She talked all the rubbish you can think of.I'm sure she's flighty--said she never had a doctor,that she always got well,and even cried when I told her that that was nonsense.""Was she ill all night,do you think?"

"I don't know.I found her trying to get up when I went to her room,and I saw at once that she wasn't able to.

"Well,Mrs.Forbes,all I can do is to ask your pardon for adding so much to your cares.Let Sarah bring me my eggs,and then,if you please,telephone for Dr.Ballard to come over before his office hour.""I will,sir,but I'll ask you to see the child before you go to town and make her promise to behave about the doctor.You'd have thought Iwas asking to let in a roaring lion."

"Shy,probably."

"Shy!That child shy!"thought Mrs.Forbes.

"She knows Dr.Ballard,"continued the broker,"and if you had thought to mention him,she wouldn't have made any fuss.""If you'll excuse me differing with you,Mr.Evringham,I don't think that child's got a shy bone in her body.In the trolley car yesterday,didn't she make up to a perfect stranger!She eyed him and fingered that little gold pin she wears,till he smiled and touched one of the same pattern in his own cravat.Young as she is,she's some kind of a free mason or secret society,you may be sure.I actually saw him take her hand and give her the grip as he got out of the car.Why you know who it is,it was Mr.Reeves of Highland Street.""H'm.You are imaginative,Mrs.Forbes.Mr.Reeves is fond of children,and Jewel has a friendly way of looking at people."The housekeeper bridled."Well,all is,I guess,you'll find I ain't imaginative when you come to talk with her about the doctor,"was the firm response."When I said medicine she looked as scared as if I'd said poison.""H'm.Been dosed then.Mother an allopath probably.Burnt child dreads the fire.I think homeopathy is the thing for children.Guy will do very well.Call him up at once,please.He might go out."When Mr.Evringham had finished his breakfast,he climbed to the white room,planning as he went a short and peremptory speech to the rebellious one;for he had less time left than usual for his daily talk with his housekeeper before catching the train.

The curtains in the room were half drawn as he entered,and the child's figure looked small in the big white bed.She exclaimed as he drew near,and seizing his hand,kissed it.

"You'd better not kiss me,grandpa,because I'm so hot and uncomfortable,"she said thickly."Oh,how I wanted to see you all night!"The little hands clinging to his were burning.He sat down on the edge of the bed.

"I'm very sorry for this,Jewel.It's your own fault,I understand,my girl.""Yes,I know it is.When I first called the house Castle Discord and talked to Anna Belle about the error fairy,and the enchanted maiden,and the giantess,I didn't see it was hate creeping in and making me not careful to deny it all.I know it is all my fault."Mr.Evringham gazed at the flushed face with startled eyes."Dear me,this is really very bad!"he thought."Delirious so early in the morning.I wish Guy would come!""Well,we'll soon have Dr.Ballard here,"he said aloud,trying to speak soothingly."He'll set you all right very soon.""Oh,grandpa,dear grandpa,"with the utmost earnestness,"would you please not send for the doctor?I won't be any trouble.I don't want anything to eat,only a drink of water,and I'll soon be well."Her beseeching tone and her helplessness touched some unsuspected chord in her listener's breast.

"Jewel,don't you want to go out to the stable with me and feed Essex Maid with sugar?"he asked.

"Yes,grandpa,"with a half sob.

"You don't want me to be unhappy and worried about you when I get into my office?""No,grandpa."

"And you liked Dr.Ballard,I'm sure,when you came out with him on the train day before yesterday.""Day before yesterday!Oh,wasit?It seems a year ago!But I wanted to come and see you so much I was willing to let father and mother go away,and I never thought that I wouldn't know when error was getting hold of me.

"Well,never mind now,Jewel.Dr.Ballard will help you,and as soon as you get well I'll take you for a fine long drive,if you'll be good.I'm sure you don't want to trouble me.""No."Another half sob caught the child's throat."Here is something Ibought for you yesterday,grandpa."She drew from under the further pillow the yellow chicken,somewhat disheveled,and put it in his hand."I meant to give it to you last night,but Mrs.Forbes kept me upstairs because she thought she ought to make me sorry,and so Icouldn't."