"What do you mean by such bold actions,then?What will he think of you?""He'll think it's all right,"returned Jewel."We have the same--the same friends."The housekeeper looked at her.It was beneath her dignity to ask further questions at present,but some time she meant to renew the subject.
"It's very wrong for a little girl to take any notice of strangers,"she said.
"Yes'm,"replied Jewel,"but he was--different."Mrs.Forbes maintained silence henceforth until they reached home.
"You may hang your hat and jacket in the closet under the stairs whenever you don't wish to go to your room,"she said when she parted with her companion at the piazza,"but don't wander away anywhere before lunch.""No'm.Thank you for taking me,Mrs.Forbes.""You're welcome,"returned that lady,and the long black veil swept majestically toward the barn.
Sweet and rippling music was proceeding from the house.Jewel tiptoed across the piazza to a long window,from whence she could see the interior of the drawing-room.
"It is the enchanted maiden,"she said to herself,and sank down softly by the window,listening eagerly to the melodious strains and smooth runs which flowed from beneath the slender fingers.One piece followed another in quick succession,now gay,now grave,and the listener scarcely stirred in her enjoyment.