Jewel's lips quivered."I said how kind you were,and washed my hair,and asked me not to tell grandpa--""You put that in?"Eloise interrupted eagerly.
The child took courage from her changed tone."Yes;I said you didn't want him to know you were kind to me."The girl smiled slightly and went on with her brushing.
"He wished he hadn't read it when he saw how sorry I was.He asked my pardon and said he had done bad form.I don't know what that is.""It's the worst thing that can happen to some people,"returned Eloise."Good form is said to be the New York conscience.""Oh,"responded Jewel,not understanding,but too relieved and grateful that her cousin was not unforgiving to press the matter.
Eloise fell into thought.Mr.Evringham had certainly been more genial at table,conversation had been more general and sustained last evening than ever before the advent of Jewel,and he had not sneered,either.Eloise searched her memory for some word or look that might have given hurt to her self-esteem,but she could find none.
On this evening Mr.Evringham was in unusual spirits at dinner time.
He told of the pleasure of Essex Maid at finding herself free of the stable again,and of the gallop he had taken among the hills.
The meat course had just been removed when Sarah came in with a troubled face,saying that Zeke wanted to see Mr.Evringham.Something was the matter with Essex Maid.She seemed "very bad."The master's face changed,and he moved back from the table.The countenances of the others showed consternation.Mrs.Forbes turned pale.Had Zeke done anything,or left something undone?She dropped her tray and hastened after Mr.Evringham.Eloise noticed that Jewel's eyes were closed.In a minute the child pushed back from the table,and without a word to the others she hurried to the scene of trouble.
She met Mrs.Forbes rushing to the kitchen for hot water.