"I do believe I've wronged Eloise,"she thought."How foolish it was to worry.I've been wondering how in the world I was going to get father to give her a wedding,and how I was going to get her to accept it,and now look!That child has thought of the same thing,and will manage it a hundred times better than I could."Jewel stood on the steps and waved her hand as the brougham rolled away.Eloise had seized and squeezed her surreptitiously in the hall before they came out.
"I do feel braced up,Jewel.Thank you,"she whispered hurriedly.
"Is the man over at the golf links?"asked the child,surprised to see that Eloise and her grandfather were going out together.
"He will be by the time I get there,"returned the girl.
As soon as the carriage door had closed and they had started,Eloise spoke."You must think it very strange that I asked this of you,grandfather."There was a hint of violets clinging to the fresh white garments that brushed Mr.Evringham's knee.
"I would not question the gifts the gods provide;"he returned.
She seemed able to rise above the fear of his sarcasms."Not that you would be surprised at anything mother or I might ask of you,"she continued bravely,"but I have suffered,I'm sure,as much as you have during the last two months.""Indeed?I regret to hear that."
If there was a sting in this reply,Eloise refused to recognize it.
"In fact I have felt so much that it has made it impossible hitherto to say anything,but Jewel has given me courage."Mr.Evringham smoothed his mustache."She has plenty to spare,"he returned.
"She says,"went on Eloise,"that everything that isn't love is hate;and hate,of course,in her category is unreal.It is because I want the real things,because I long for real things,for truth,that Iasked to have this talk,grandfather,and I wanted to be quite alone with you,so I thought of this way.""It's the mater she's running away from,then,"reflected her companion.He nodded courteously."I am at your disposal,"he returned.
Subtly the broker's feeling toward Eloise had been changing since the evening in which Jewel wrote to her parents.His hard and fast opinion of her had been slightly shaken.The frankness of her remarks on Christian Science in the presence of Dr.Ballard the other evening had been a surprise to him.The cold,proud,noncommittal,ease-loving girl who in his opinion had decided to marry the young doctor was either less designing than he had believed,or else wonderfully certain of her own power to hold him.He found himself regarding her with new interest.
"I've been waiting for mother to talk with you,"she went on,"and clear up our position;but she does not,and so I must."The speaker's hands were tightly clasped in her lap."I wish I had Jewel's unconsciousness,her certainty that all is Good,for I feel--I feel shame before you,grandfather."It seemed to Mr.Evringham that Jewel's eyes were appealing to him.
"She says,"he returned with a rather grim smile,"Jewel avers that Iam kindness itself inside.Let us admit it for convenience now,and see if you can't speak freely.""Thank you.You know what I am ashamed of:staying here so long;imposing upon you;taking everything for granted when we have no right.I want to understand our affairs;to know if we have anything,and what it is;to have you help me,you;to have you tell me how we can live independently,and help me to make mother agree to it.Oh,if you would--if you couldbe my friend,grandfather.I need you so!"Mr.Evringham received this impetuous outburst without change of countenance."How about Ballard?"he said."I thought he was going to settle all this."There was silence in the brougham.The flash of hurt in the girl's eyes was quenched by quick tears.Her companion reddened under the look of surprise she bent upon him,her lovely lips unsteady.
"No offense,"he added hastily."Ballard's sentiments are evident enough,and he is a fine fellow."Eloise controlled herself."Will you take the trouble to explain our affairs to me?"she asked.
