"Well we'd better go in now."
"How kind you are to me,"said the child gratefully,as she slid off the horse's back with her arms around her grandfather's neck.
He had forgotten his rheumatic shoulder for the time.
"You can bring those rubbers in later,"he said to Zeke,and so carried Jewel out of the barn,through the rain,and into the house.
Mrs.Forbes watched the entrance."Breakfast is served,sir,"she said with dignity.She thought her employer should have worn a hat.
Jewel was not offered eggs this morning.Instead she had,after her fruit and oatmeal,a slice of ham and a baked potato.
Her roses were fresh this morning and opening in the warmth of the fire,but Mr.Evringham's eyes were caught by a mass of American Beauties which stood in an alcove close to the window.
"Where did those come from?"he demanded.
"They belong to Miss Eloise,"replied Mrs.Forbes."She asked me to take care of them for her.""Humph!Ballard again,I suppose,"remarked the broker.
"I hope so,"responded Mrs.Forbes devoutly.
Mr.Evringham had spoken to himself,and he glanced up from his paper,surprised by the prompt fervor of the reply.The housekeeper looked non-committal,but her meaning dawned upon him,and he smiled slightly as he returned to the news of the day.
"Dr.Ballard must love Cousin Eloise very much,"said Jewel,mashing her potato."He sent her a splendid box of candy,too."She addressed her remark to Mrs.Forbes,and in a low tone,in order not to disturb her grandfather's reading.
"Any girl can get candy and flowers and love,if she's only pretty enough,"returned Mrs.Forbes;"but she mustn't forget to be pretty."The speaker's tone appealed to Jewel as signifying a grievance.She looked up.
"Why,somebody married you,Mrs.Forbes,"she said kindly.
Mr.Evringham's paper hid a face which suddenly contorted,but the housekeeper's quick-glancing eyes could not see a telltale motion.