When her grandfather had disappeared,Jewel placed Anna Belle on the seat beside her,where she toed in,in a state of the utmost complacence.
"I have my work to do,Anna Belle,"she said,"and this will be a good time,so don't disturb me till the train starts."She put her hand over her eyes,and sat motionless as the people met and jostled in the aisle.
Minutes passed,and then some one brushed the child's arm in taking the seat beside her."Oh,please don't sit on Anna Belle!"she cried suddenly,and looked up into a pair of clear eyes that were regarding her with curiosity.
They belonged to a man with a brown mustache and dark,short,pointed beard,who carried a small square black case and had altogether a very clean,fresh,agreeable appearance.
"Do I look like a person who would sit on Anna Belle?"he asked gravely.
The doll was enthroned upon his knee as he set down his case,and the train started.
"If she annoys you I'll take her,"said Jewel,with a little air of motherliness not lost upon her companion.
"Thank you,"he replied,"but I'm used to children.She looks like a fine,healthy little girl,"keeping his eyes fixed on the doll's rosy cheeks.
"Yes indeed.She's very healthy."
"Not had measles,or chicken pox,or mumps,or any of those things yet?"pursued the pleasant voice.
"Oh dear!"gasped Jewel."Please let me take Anna Belle."She caught her doll into her arms and met her companion's surprised gaze.
"I haven't any of them,"he returned,amused."Don't be afraid.""I'm not afraid,"answered the child promptly."There is nothing to be afraid of.""I was only going to say,"said the young man,"that if she was ailing I could prescribe for her.I have my case right here."Jewel's startled look fell to the black case."What's that!Medicine?"she asked softly.
"It certainly is.So you see you have a doctor handy if anything ails the baby."The child gazed at him with grave scrutiny."Do you believe in materia medica?"she asked.
The young doctor threw back his head and laughed heartily."Well,yes,"he answered at last."I am supposed to."To his surprise his neighbor returned to the attitude in which he had found her,with one hand over her eyes.