“Yes.”
Dr. Ballard looked at his small companion, a quizzical smile curving his mustache.
“I've never thought of taking a partner, Jewel, but I might consider a mascot. What do you say to sharing my office and being my mascot? Special high chair for Anna Belle, be it well understood.”
The little girl eyed him, her head on one side. It was her experience that all men were jokers. “I don't know what a mascot is,” she replied.
“It's something or somebody that brings one good luck.”
“Do you think I could bring you good luck?”
“It looks that way. Of course there are certain rules you would have to observe. It wouldn't do for you to talk against materia medica to the patients in the anteroom.”
“What is an anteroom?”
“The place where my patients wait until I can see them in my office.”
Jewel lifted her shoulders and smiled. “I might read them 'Science and Health' while they waited, and then they wouldn't have to go in.”