Jewel,watching and wondering,saw a young man in light clothes swing himself down from tree to tree,and at last saw both his hands close on both her cousin's.
The two talked and laughed in unison for a minute,then Eloise freed herself and turned to the serious-faced child."You remember my speaking of Nat the other day?"she asked."This is he.Mr.Bonnell,this is my cousin Jewel Evringham.She is landscape gardening just now,and may not feel like giving you her hand.""I can wash it,"said Jewel,dipping the earthy member in the brook,wiping it on the grass,and placing it in the large one that was offered her.
"How did you ever find us?I thought you'd gone back to New York.Ihad no idea of seeing you,"said Eloise in a breath.
"Didn't your mother tell you?I have a week off."The girl's bright face sobered."Poor mother!She had a--a shock after you were here yesterday.I suppose it put everything out of her head.
Was it she who sent you to find us?"
"No;a massive lady met me at the door and informed me that your mother wished to be excused from every one to-day,but that you had fallen down a crack in the earth which could be reached up this road."The speaker looked about."As there doesn't seem any place to stand here,hadn't we better sit down before we fall in the brook?I might rescue you,but the current is swift."Eloise at once sank upon the green incline,and he followed her example.Jewel watched him with consideration,and he became aware of her gaze.
"What are you making,little girl?"he asked,with his sunshiny smile.
"A garden;and I could dig the pond if I had brought the trowel.""Perhaps my knife will do."He took it out and opened the largest blade."What do you think of that?""Do you suppose I should break it?"asked the child doubtfully.
"You're welcome to try,"he replied.
She leaned forward and accepted it from his outstretched hand.