Jewel was not late to lunch,but eating it tete-a-tete with aunt Madge was not to her taste.
Mrs.Evringham utilized the opportunity to admonish her,and Mrs.
Forbes for once sympathized with the widow's sentiments.
Aunt Madge took off her eyeglasses in a way she had when she wished to be particularly impressive.
"Jewel,"she said,"I don't think any one has told you that it is impolite to Dr.Ballard to say anything about Christian Science in his presence.""Why is it?"asked the child.
"Because he is a learned physician,and has,of course,a great respect for his profession.""I have a great respect for him,"returned the child,"and he knows Iwouldn't hurt his feelings."
"The idea!"exclaimed Mrs.Evringham,looking down from a height upon the flaxen head."As if a little ignorant girl could hurt the feelings of a man like Dr.Ballard!"Mrs.Forbes also stared at the child,and she winced.
"I do love them,and they do love me,"she thought."I don't remember ever speaking about it before the doctor unless somebody asked me,"she said aloud.
"Your cousin Eloise may ask you,"returned Mrs.Evringham."Nobody else would.She does it in a spirit of mischief,perhaps,but I shall speak to her.She has a passing curiosity about your ideas because it is odd and rather amusing to find a child who has such unnatural and precocious fancies,and she tries to draw you out;but it will not last with her.Neither will it with you,probably.You seem to be a sensible little girl in many ways."Mrs.Evringham made the addition magnanimously.She really was too much at peace with all the world just now to like to be severe.
Outwardly Jewel was silent.Inwardly she was declaring many things which would have surprised her companions.
"Does your cousin Eloise pretend to you that she is becoming seriously interested in your faith?"pursued Mrs.Evringham.
"She will tell you all about it,"returned Jewel.