“You can't tell me?”
“No.”
“Then don't you think perhaps it was a good thing I read your letter after all, if it is something I ought to know?”
The speaker was not so interested to discover the secrets of his beautiful guest as to set himself right with this admirer. He did not relish falling from his pedestal.
“Do you think perhaps Divine Love made you do it, grandpa?” asked the child tremulously, with returning hope.
Mr. Evringham was quite certain that it had been curiosity, but he was willing to accept a higher sounding hypothesis.
“Mother explained to me about God making 'the wrath of man to praise Him,'” added Jewel after the moment's pause. “If it makes you kind to cousin Eloise, perhaps we can be glad you read it.”
“What is the matter with Eloise?” asked Mr. Evringham.
Jewel sat up, fixed him with her eyes, pressed her lips together, and shook her head.
“You won't tell me?”