Some perception of what Harry's sensations must have been during the last six months came to him as he sat there with the little girl's arm about him.Harry had come home and discovered his child,his Jewel.Afrown gathered on the broker's brow as he realized the hours of vain regret his son must have suffered for those lost years of the child's life.
"Served him right,served him perfectly right!""What grandpa?"
The question made Mr.Evringham aware that the indignant words had been muttered above his breath.
"I was thinking of your father,"he replied."Has he learned these things that your mother has taught you?""Oh yes,"with soft eagerness;"father is learning everything."Jewel saw her grandfather's frown and she lowered her voice almost to a whisper."Don't feel sorry about father,grandpa.He says he's the happiest man in the world.Mother didn't find out about God till after father had gone to California,or he wouldn't have gone;and for a long time she didn't know where he was,and I was only beginning to walk around,so I couldn't help her;but when I got bigger I had father's picture,and we used to talk to it every day,and at last mother knew that Divine Love would bring father back;and pretty soon he began to write to her,and he said he couldn't come home because he felt so sorry,and he was going to the war.So then mother and Iprayed a great deal every day,and we knew father would be taken care of.And then mother kept writing to him not to be sorry,because error was nothing and the child of God could always have his right place,and everything like that,and at last the war was over and he came home."Jewel paused.
Mr.Evringham wondered what she was seeing with that far-away look.
Presently she turned to him with the smile of irresistible sweetness--Harry's smile--and a surprising fullness came in the broker's throat.
"Father's just splendid,"she finished.
Her grandfather was not wholly pleased with the verdict.He had gained a taste for incense himself.
"He has been at home over six months,I believe,"he returned.
"Yes,all winter;and we have more fun!"
"Your father is not a Christian Scientist,I presume,"remarked Mr.
Evringham.
"Oh yes,he's learning to be.Of course he goes to church--""He does,eh?"put in the broker,surprised.
"Of course;and he studies the lesson with us every day.He had been sorry so much and so long,you know,mother said he was all ready;and beside--beside"--Jewel hesitated and became silent.
"Beside what?"
She began very softly and half reluctantly."Father had a sickness two or three times when he first came home,and he was healed,and so he was very grateful and wanted to know about God.""H'm.I'm glad he was.I hope he will make your mother very happy after this.""He does."The child lost her seriousness and laughed reminiscently.
"Father and I have the besttimes.Mothers says he's younger than Iam."
"You miss him,eh?"Mr.Evringham half frowned into the fresh little face.
"Oh yes,I do,"with a sigh,"but it would be error to be sorry when Icould come to see you,grandpa."
Mr.Evringham cogitated a minute on the probable loneliness of the last three days,and began to wonder what this philosophy could be which gave practical help to a child of eight years.He was still holding the letter to Dr.Ballard in his hand.
"I think I'll let you direct this yourself,Jewel,"he said.He rose and brought the morocco cushion to his desk chair."Sit up here and Iwill tell you the address."
She obeyed,and Mr.Evringham watched the little fingers clenched around the pen as she strove to resist its tendency to write down hill on the envelope.
"And you're quite sure that more money will be forthcoming when yours is gone,eh?"he asked when the feat was accomplished.
"Oh yes;if I need it."
"How will it come,for instance?"
She looked up quickly."I don't need to know that,"she replied.
Mr.Evringham bit his lip."That's unanswerable,"he thought,"and rather neat."At this moment a knock sounded at the library door,and a moment afterward Mrs.Forbes presented herself.
"Excuse me,Mr.Evringham.I'm afraid Julia has been in your way,staying so long.""No,Mrs.Forbes,thank you,"he returned."She had a letter to write,and I have been reading.""Very well.It is her bedtime now."The housekeeper's tone was inexorable,and Jewel lifted her shoulders as she glanced up at her grandfather,and again he found himself taken into a confidence which excluded his excellent housekeeper."It is better for us to yield,"said Jewel's shoulders and mute lips.Before Mr.Evringham could suspect her intention,she had jumped up on the cushion nimbly as a squirrel,and hugging him in a business-like manner,kissed him twice.
"Good-night,grandpa."
"Good-night,Jewel,"he returned,going to the length of patting her shoulder.
She jumped down and ran to Mrs.Forbes."You needn't come with me,you know,"she said,holding up her face.Mrs.Forbes hesitated a moment.
She had not as yet recovered from this latest liberty taken with the head of the house.
"Let me feel of your hands,Julia."She took them in hers and touched the child's cheeks and forehead as well."You seem to feel all right,do you?""Yes'm."
"No soreness or pain anywhere?"
"No'm.Good-night,Mrs.Forbes."
The housekeeper stooped from her height and accepted the offered kiss.
"Do you prefer to go alone,Jewel?Isn't it lonely for you?"asked Mr.
Evringham.
"No--o,grandpa!Anna Belle is up there."
