CHAPTER XIII
A HEROIC OFFER
Jewel told her grandfather the tale of The Talking Doll while they walked their horses through a favorite wood-road, Mr. Evringham keeping his eyes on the animated face of the story-teller. His own was entirely impassive, but he threw in an exclamation now and then to prove his undivided attention.
"You know it's more blessed to give than to receive, don't you, grandpa?" added Jewel affectionately, as she finished; "because you're giving things to people all the time, and nobody but God can give you anything."
"I don't know about that," returned the broker. "Have you forgotten the yellow chicken you gave me?"
"No," returned Jewel seriously; "but I've never seen anything since that I thought you would care for."
Mr. Evringham nodded. "I think," he said confidentially, "that you have given me something pretty nice in your mother. Do you know, I'm very glad that she married into our family."
"Yes, indeed," replied Jewel, "so am I. Just supposing I had had some other grandpa!"
The two shook their heads at one another gravely. There were some situations that could not be contemplated.