“Yes.”
“And you, Nat?” Unconsciously Eloise leaned her whole body toward him, supporting her hand on the ground. “You know about it yourself? You understand?”
“Yes.”
“And you believe in it?”
“With all my heart.”
Her face shone. “Oh, Jewel, do you hear? Mr. Bonnell is a Scientist.” The girl's breathing was hastened. Her eyes were like stars.
The child sank back from her work and regarded the visitor, smiling. She was glad, but she was not astonished. In her world a great many young men had found the key to life, but to Eloise it was something wonderful. She looked at her old friend as if she had never seen him before. She reviewed all she knew of his gay life with its background of suffering.
“Do you study the lessons?” she asked incredulously. “You?”
“Every day. I am surprised beyond measure to find you interested, for your mother told me—And the doctor—?”
“Is a very fine man,” returned Eloise gravely, as he paused.