“I saw the governor wasn't real comfortable,” returned the boy. “Guess he's afraid he's goin' to catch the mumps or something. It would be real harrowin' if he got any worse case of big head than he's got already.”
Mr. Evringham was little accustomed to waiting, and by the time Dr. Ballard appeared, his nervousness had become painful. “The child's slept too much, I'm sure of it, Ballard,” was his greeting. “I don't know what we're going to find up there, I declare I don't.”
“It depends on whether it's a good sleep,” returned the doctor, and his composed face and manner acted at once beneficially upon Mr. Evringham.
“Well, you'll know, Guy, you'll know, my boy. Mrs. Forbes saw you coming, and she has gone upstairs to prepare the little girl. She'll be glad to see you this time, I'll wager.”
The broker, roses in hand, ascended the staircase after the physician. Mrs. Forbes was standing at the foot of the bed, and the room was pleasantly light as they entered. Jewel, the flush of sleep on her cheeks, was looking expectantly toward the door. Dr. Ballard came in first and she smiled in welcome, then Mr. Evringham appeared, heavy roses nodding in all directions before him.
“Grandpa!” exclaimed the child. “Why, grandpa, did you come?”
There was no mistaking the joy in her tone. Dr. Ballard paused in surprise, while the stockbroker approached the bed.
“I brought you a few flowers, Jewel,” he said, while she pressed his disengaged hand against her cheek.
“They're the most lovely ones I ever saw,” she returned with conviction. “They make me happy just to look at them.”
“Well, Jewel,” said the doctor, “I hear you've been making up for lost sleep in great shape.” His eyes, as he spoke, were taking in with concentrated interest the signs in her face. He came and sat beside the bed, while Mr. Evringham fell back and Mrs. Forbes regarded the child critically.