"Yes,"he replied."We talked on the tabooed subject.""Tabooed with whom?You?"she asked disappointedly.
"No,with you I understand."
Color flew into Eloise's face."Who told you that?Mother of course."Bonnell nodded,giving a fleeting glance toward the child,who was again busy at her excavation.
"Are congratulations in order,Eloise?"he asked quietly.
"Yes,congratulations."Her eyes grew full of light."For I have come to see the truth.That child has shown me."The young man's lips remained apart for a second in his surprise at this declaration,after Mrs.Evringham's detailed representations.
"Then I may tell you how my mother was healed,"he said at last.
"Oh,was it really so?"
"Yes."
"And you,Nat?"Unconsciously Eloise leaned her whole body toward him,supporting her hand on the ground."You know about it yourself?You understand?""Yes."
"And you believe in it?"
"With all my heart."
Her face shone."Oh,Jewel,do you hear?Mr.Bonnell is a Scientist."The girl's breathing was hastened.Her eyes were like stars.
The child sank back from her work and regarded the visitor,smiling.
She was glad,but she was not astonished.In her world a great many young men had found the key to life,but to Eloise it was something wonderful.She looked at her old friend as if she had never seen him before.She reviewed all she knew of his gay life with its background of suffering.
"Do you study the lessons?"she asked incredulously."You?""Every day.I am surprised beyond measure to find you interested,for your mother told me--And the doctor--?""Is a very fine man,"returned Eloise gravely,as he paused.
Bonnell's mental questions were answered by her manner.He put his hand in the pocket of his sack coat and drew out a small,thin,black book.
Eloise took it."'Unity of Good,'"she read on its cover."I haven't seen this one,"she said eagerly.