Eloise had seen what she had been watching for.Her grandfather had driven away to the station,so she arose and came over to the foot of the bed.
"I know I'm irritable,mother,"she said repentantly."The idleness and uselessness of my life have grated on me until I know I'm not fit to live with.If I had had any of the training of a society girl,Icould bear it better;but papa kept my head full of school,--for which I bless him,--and now that the dream of college is hopeless,and that the only profession you wish for me is marriage,I dread to wake up in the mornings."The young voice was unsteady.
Mrs.Evringham heaved a long sigh."Give me patience!"she murmured,then added mentally,"It can't be many days,and she won't refuse him.""Go down to the piano and play yourself good-natured,"she returned.
"Then come up and we'll go on with that charming story.It quite refreshed me to read of that coming-out ball.It was so like my own."Eloise,her lips set in a sad curve,rose and left the room.Once in the hall,she paused for a minute.Then instead of descending the stairs,she ran noiselessly up the next flight.The rain was pelting steadily on the dome of golden glass through which light fell to the halls.She stole,as she had done yesterday,to the door of Jewel's room.