“Yes; that is the word. She took no notice of me at all. I do not mind that. Of course she is jealous, poor thing! And perhaps I can scarcely wonder. But if she leaves me alone I will leave her alone.”
“You are conceited, Evelyn,” said Jasper. “How could that grand and stately lady be jealous of a little girl like yourself?”
“I think she is, all the same,” replied Evelyn. “And, by the way, Jasper, I do not care for that tone of yours. Why do you call me a little girl and speak as though you had no respect for me?”
“I love you too well to respect you, darling,” replied Jasper.
“Love me too well! But I thought people never loved others unless they respected them.”
“Yes, but they do,” answered Jasper, with a short laugh. “How should I love you if that was not the case?”
Evelyn grew red and a puzzled expression flitted across her face.
“I should like my chocolate,” she said, sinking into a chair by the fire. “Make it for me, please.”
Jasper did so without any comment. It was long past midnight; the little clock on the mantelpiece pointed with its jeweled hands to twenty minutes to one.
“I shall not get up early,” said Evelyn. “Aunt Frances was annoyed at my not being down this morning, but she will have to bear it. You will get me a very nice breakfast, won’t you, dear old Jasper? When I wake you will have things very cozy, won’t you, Jas?”