The unexpected look and exclamation startled her grandfather."Zeke says the doctor can't get here for a little while,"he went on,"but the mare is out of pain.""It's all right,"rejoined the child joyously."The doctor ought not to come.We shall do better without him."The first gleam of her meaning began to shine across the broker's mind.He stared down at the little figure,uncertain whether to laugh or cry,sufficiently shaken to do either.
"Why,you midget you,"he said,picking the child up in his arms;"have you been trying your tricks over here in the corner?""That isn't the way to talk,grandpa,when God has helped us so,"returned Jewel earnestly.
Zeke,following his employer,had heard this colloquy,and stared open mouthed.
When Dr.Busby arrived he was a much injured man."The mare's perfectly fit,"he grumbled."You've made me leave an important case.""Very sorry,"returned Mr.Evringham,trying to look so."The fact is the Maid has given us a scare in the last hour that I shouldn't like repeated.Look her over carefully,Busby,carefully.""I have."The veterinary gave a cross look around the group,his glance resting a moment on the upturned face of a little flaxen-haired girl who stood with her hand in Mr.Evringham's.
"He's falling into his dotage,I guess,"said the doctor privately to Zeke,as he prepared to ride away.
"Don't fool yourself,"returned the young fellow."The mare pretty near scared me into a fit.My knees ain't real steady yet."He stood watching the disappearing figure of the veterinary."That kid believes praying did it,"he mused."I ain't going to believe that,of course,but the whole thing was the queerest ever."Mr.Evringham,after one more visit to the stall of Essex Maid,started back to the house,Jewel skipping beside him.
Mrs.Forbes remained in the barn,one hand still pressed to her ample bosom,a teakettle in the other.
"What'd you calc'late to do,ma?"inquired her son,approaching her.
"Wring out hot flannels.It's sense to treat colic the same,whether it's in a horse or a baby."Zeke laughed."Essex Maid didn't think so,did she?""Wouldn't let us do a thing.I saw the tears drip out of Mr.
Evringham's eyes plain as I see you now.Zeke Forbes,you'll never know what it was to me to have you come in and speak the way you did.
You couldn't have done it if you'd mistreated the horse any way.""Thank you,"returned the coachman emphatically."I ain't monkeying with buzz saws this year.""Not knowingly you wouldn't.But,child,"--Mrs.Forbes set down the kettle and pressed the other hand tighter to her bosom as she came closer to him,"last night you'd been drinking when you came home.""Ho!"laughed Zeke uncomfortably,"just a smile or two with the boys.
By ginger,you've got a nose on you,mother.""Can you think of your father and then laugh over it,Zeke?There hasn't a man ever come to be a sot that didn't laugh about it in the first place.""Now,mother,now,now,"said the young fellow in half-impatient tones of consolation,as he took the handkerchief from her apron pocket and wiped her eyes,where tears began to spring."You must trust a chap to do what's right.I ain't a fool.Don't you think about this again.Ican take care of myself.Come now,to change the subject,what's your opinion of Christian Science as applied to horses with the colic?""What do you mean?"returned the housekeeper in an unusually subdued tone.
"Why,didn't you catch on?The kid was over there in the corner treating the Maid.That's what they call it,treating 'em.Mr.
Evringham laughed when he found out,and she jumped on him.Yes,she did;came right out and told him that wasn't the way to show his gratitude,or something like that.Think of the nerve!""I ain't surprised.That child can't surprise me.""But what do you think of it,ma?I tell you 't was queer,the way that mare's pain stopped.Of course I ain't going to believe--but,"firmly,"I can't get away from a notion that those Christian Science folks know something that we don't.Busby was madder'n a hornet.Ididn't scarcely know what to say to him."
"Don't be soft,Zeke,"returned his mother,picking up the kettle.
"The time for superstition has gone by."
As Jewel and her grandfather entered the house they heard music.
"That's cousin Eloise playing.Have you heard her grandpa?""Yes,when they first came."
"Than you haven't sat with them in the evening for a long time?"suggested the child.
"No.I--I didn't wish to monopolize their society.I wanted to give Dr.Ballard a chance.He is a friend of theirs,you know.""Yes,but I think cousin Eloise would be glad if she thought you liked her playing.It's very beautiful,isn't it,grandpa?""Yes,I dare say.Then,besides,I'm not at all sure that Mrs.
Evringham would permit me to smoke in the drawing-room.""But wouldn't it be nice to go in there just a few minutes before you go to your study?I love to hear cousin Eloise play,but I like to be with you,grandpa."Mr.Evringham was in a yielding state of mind.He allowed the pressure of the child's hand on his to lead him to the drawing-room,where his entrance made a little stir.
Dr.Ballard was sitting near the piano,listening to the music.
Everybody rose as the newcomers entered.
