"I was certainly under that impression."
"But you never would have expected to have it when you were as young as father, would you?"
"Hardly."
"Well, then you see why it's wrong to make laws about growing old and to remember people's ages."
"Ah, I see what you mean. Everybody thinking the wrong way and jumping on a fellow when he's down, as it were."
At this moment Jewel's father and mother entered the room, and she instantly forgot every other consideration in her interest as to what charming surprise might be bunched up under the tablecloth.
"Anna Belle can hardly wait to see my present," she said, lifting her shoulders and smiling at her mother.
"She ought to know one thing that's there, certainly," replied Mrs. Evringham mysteriously.
Jewel held the doll up in front of her. "Have you given me something, dearie?" she asked tenderly. "I do hope you haven't been extravagant."
Then with an abrupt change of manner, she hopped up into her chair eagerly, and the others took their places.