"Well,little girl,how are you getting on?"he asked.
"Pretty well,thank you."Her beaming expression left no doubt that she was very glad to see him.
"Not particularly flattering if she is,"he mused."Fine ladies not out of their rooms yet,and ma doin'her duty by her to beat the band.""Where's your doll?"he asked.
"I didn't bring her.I thought perhaps the--Mrs.Forbes would--would just as lief she didn't come.""Ma hasn'tplayed with dolls for quite a spell,"agreed Zeke,with a smile that was sunshine to the child.
"You live out in the barn with the horses,don't you?"she asked eagerly."Will you give me permission to go out there some time?""Sure.Come any time."
"Mrs.Forbes said I must ask permission,"responded the child with an apprehensive glance behind her to see if her escort were arriving.
"What--what is your name?"
"Forgotten this soon?I told you Zeke."
"I thought you did,but your mother said it was something very different.""Ezekiel,perhaps."
"Yes,that's it.I won't forget again.How many horses has grandpa?""Two here,but I guess he's got more in the country.You come out to the barn any time you feel like it.You've heard of a bell cow,haven't you?Well,we've got the belle horse out there.She beats all creation.""The one I saw yesterday,"eagerly,"the one that runs away all the time?""No.This is Mr.Evringham's riding horse."
Jewel hopped and clapped her hands."I'll see grandpa ride.Goody!
I'll watch him."
"Go to your paths,Zeke,"said a voice,and the veil appeared around the corner of the house.
Jewel quietly joined her stately companion,and walked away sedately beside her.
They did not exchange many words on their way to the park gates,for Mrs.Forbes needed her breath for the rather long promenade,and Jewel was busy looking at the trees and trim swards and crocus beds beside the winding road.