"Oh no,no,"answered the girl,with a little catch in her throat.
"I've had so much of grown-up people,Jewel!I'm so grown up myself!
Just a little while ago I was a schoolgirl,busy and happy all the time.I never even went out anywhere except with father,and with Nat when he was at home from college.You don't know Nat,but you'd like him.""Why!Is he a Christian Scientist?"
For answer Eloise laughed low but heartily."Nat a Christian Scientist!"she mused aloud."Not exactly,my little cousin!""Then should I like him as well as Dr.Ballard?"asked Jewel incredulously.
"I don't know.Tastes differ."
"Does he like horses?"asked the child.
"He knows everything about a horse and a yacht except how to pay for them,poor boy,"returned Eloise.
"Is he poor?"
"Yes,he is poor and expensive.It is a bad combination;it is almost as bad as being poor and extravagant.His mother is a widow,and they haven't much,but what there was she has insisted on spending on him--that is,all she could spare from the doctor's bills.""She needs Science then,doesn't she?"
"Jewel,that would be one thing that would keep me from wanting to be a Scientist.What's the fun of being one unless everybody else is?My mother,for instance.""Yes;but then you'd find out how to help her."Eloise glanced at the child curiously.She thought it would be interesting to peep into Jewel's mind and see her estimate of Aunt Madge.
"My mother has a great deal to trouble her,"she said loyally.
"Yes,I know she thinks she has,"returned the child.
Again her response surprised her companion.
"I'll take you as you are,Jewel,"she said."I'm glad you're not grown up.You're fresher from the workshop."