“But not so queer as that would be,” returned Eloise.
Jewel was pondering. This was very delicate ground, and she still felt some awe of her cousin; however, there was only one thing to consider.
“Do you love him better than anybody, cousin Eloise?” she asked.
A flood of color warmed the girl's face, but she had to smile.
“Would that make the difference?” she asked. “Mustn't we want the truth anyway?”
Jewel heaved a mighty sigh. She was thinking of Dr. Ballard's pensive eyes. “I should think so,” she answered frankly; “because if you just study the truth, and hold on tight, how can things be anything but happy at last? I wish I was more grown up, cousin Eloise,” she added apologetically.
“Oh no, no,” answered the girl, with a little catch in her throat. “I've had so much of grown-up people, Jewel! I'm so grown up myself! Just a little while ago I was a schoolgirl, busy and happy all the time. I never even went out anywhere except with father, and with Nat when he was at home from college. You don't know Nat, but you'd like him.”
“Why! Is he a Christian Scientist?”
For answer Eloise laughed low but heartily. “Nat a Christian Scientist!” she mused aloud. “Not exactly, my little cousin!”
“Then should I like him as well as Dr. Ballard?” asked Jewel incredulously.