At last her voice was raised to sound through the clatter."I suppose my trunk is somewhere else,"she said suggestively.
"Yes,your trunk will reach home all right,plaid silk and all."Jewel smiled,and lifting the doll she let her look out the window upon the uninviting prospect."Anna Belle's clothes are in the trunk,too,"she added,turning and speaking confidentially.
"Whose?"asked Mr.Evringham,startled."There's no one else coming,Isuppose?"
"Why,this is Anna Belle,"returned the child,laughing and lifting the bisque beauty so that the full radiance of her smile beamed upon her companion."That's your great-grandfather,dearie,that I've told you about,"she said patronizingly."We've been so excitedthe last few days since we knew we were coming,"looking again at Mr.
Evringham."I've told Anna Belle all about beautiful Bel-Air Park,and the big house,and the big trees,and the ravine,and the brook.Isn't it nice,"joyfully,"that it doesn't rain to-day,and we shall see it in the sunshine?""Rain would have made it more disagreeable certainly,"returned Mr.
Evringham,congratulating himself that he was escaping that further rain of tears which he had dreaded."It is a good day for your father and mother to set out on their trip,"he added.
"Yes,and they're only to be gone six little weeks,"returned Jewel,smoothing her doll's boa;"and I'm to have this lovely visit,and I'm to write them very often,and they'll write to me,and we shall all be so happy!"Jewel trotted Anna Belle on her short-skirted knee and hummed a tune,which was lost in the rattle of wheels.
"You can read and write,eh?"