"I have a"--she was intending to communicate to Mrs.Forbes the exciting detail of her wardrobe when the housekeeper interrupted her.
"My son's name is Ezekiel,"she said impressively.
"Oh,"returned Jewel abashed."He told me Zeke."She still stood in the middle of the large white room,Anna Belle in her arms,and with the surprised look in her serious face drew upon herself an unflattering mental comment.
"The image of Harry,"thought Mrs.Forbes.
"Can I see aunt Madge and cousin Eloise?"asked the child,beginning to feel some awe of the large woman regarding her.
"They're getting ready to go out to lunch.They can't be disturbed now.You can sit here,or walk around until lunch time.You'll know when that is ready,because the gong will sound in the hall.Now when you go downstairs be careful not to touch the tall clock on the landing.That is a very valuable chiming clock,and you mustn't open its doors,for fear you would break something.Then if you go into the parlor you must never play on the piano unless you ask somebody,for fear Mr.Evringham might be trying to take a nap just at that time;then you mustn't go into the barn without permission,for it's dangerous where the horses are,and you might get kicked.If you're tired from your journey you can lie down now till lunch time;but whenever you do lie down,be sure to turn off this white spread,for fear you might soil it.Now I'm very busy,and I shan't see you again till lunch."Mrs.Forbes departed and Jewel stood for half a minute motionless,feeling rather dazed by a novel sensation of resentment.
"As if we were babies!"she whispered to her doll."She's the most afraid woman I ever saw,and she looks so sorry!She isn't our relation,so no matter,dearie,what she says.This is father's room,and we can think how he used to run around here when he was a little boy."Tiptoeing to the door,Jewel closed it and began to inspect her new apartment.