Mrs. Evringham was dismayed. “What a very large if, my dear,” she returned lightly.
“She's a bright little girl,” said Dr. Ballard, and as he spoke Jewel came back.
She brought her doll straight to him, and he took both child and doll on his lap.
“Dear fellow,” thought Mrs. Evringham, “how fond he is of children! I'd like to put Eloise in a strait-jacket. Do play some more, dear, won't you?” she said aloud, eager to return to safe ground.
“Oh yes, cousin Eloise,” added Jewel ardently.
“If you will sing afterward. Will you?” asked the girl.
“Can you sing, Jewel?” asked Mr. Evringham.
“No, grandpa, nothing but the tunes in church.”
“Well,” he responded, half smiling again, “I don't know that a hymn would be so out of place to-night.”
“Do play the lovely running thing about spring, cousin Eloise,” begged the child.