CHAPTER VI
THE DIE IS CAST
"Oh, grandpa, we've had the most, fun!" cried Jewel that afternoon as she ran down the veranda steps to meet the broker, getting out of the brougham.
Harry and Julia were standing near the wicker chairs watching the welcome. They saw Mr. Evringham stoop to receive the child's embrace, and noted the attention he paid to her chatter as, after lifting his hat to them, he slowly advanced.
"Father and I played in the ravine the longest while. Wasn't it a nice time, father?"
"It certainly was a nice, wet time. I am one pair of shoes short, and shall have to travel to Chicago in patent leathers."
As Julia rose she regarded her father-in-law with new eyes. All sense of responsibility had vanished, and her present passive rôle seemed delightful.
"I know more about this beautiful place than when you went away," she said. "I feel as if I were at some picturesque resort. It doesn't seem at all as if work-a-day people might live here all the time."
"I'm glad you like it," returned the broker, and his quick, curt manner of speech no longer startled her. "Have you been driving?"