“You did? Well if that ain't a regular step-mother act!” returned Zeke in protest. “The kid had a bully time coming home from the depot yesterday. Dick felt good, and he just lit out. I tell you her eyes shone.”
“I like to do what's best for folks in the end,” declared Mrs. Forbes virtuously. “Julia's parents are poor, and likely to be. She's only going to be here six weeks, and what is the sense of encouraging a taste she can't ever indulge? No, I'll take her in the trolley. It's a nice morning, and I shan't mind the walk down to the gate.” The speaker marched with the dignity which was always inseparable from the veil toward the back door of the house to give some last orders, and Zeke lounged out with his rake toward the grounds at the front. There he caught sight of a small figure in hat and jacket waiting on the piazza. He turned toward it, and Jewel advanced with a smile of recognition. She had had to look twice to identify her fine plum-colored companion of yesterday's drive with this youth in shirt sleeves and a soft old hat.
“Well, little girl, how are you getting on?” he asked.
“Pretty well, thank you.” Her beaming expression left no doubt that she was very glad to see him.
“Not particularly flattering if she is,” he mused. “Fine ladies not out of their rooms yet, and ma doin' her duty by her to beat the band.”
“Where's your doll?” he asked.
“I didn't bring her. I thought perhaps the—Mrs. Forbes would—would just as lief she didn't come.”
“Ma hasn't played with dolls for quite a spell,” agreed Zeke, with a smile that was sunshine to the child.
“You live out in the barn with the horses, don't you?” she asked eagerly. “Will you give me permission to go out there some time?”
“Sure. Come any time.”