第46章 A RAINY MORNING(1)

The next morning it rained so heavily that Mr.Evringham was obliged to forego his ride.Wet weather was an unmixed ill to him.It not only made riding and golf miserable,but it reminded him that rheumatism was getting a grip on one of his shoulders.

"It is disgusting,perfectly disgusting to grow old,"he muttered as he descended the broad staircase.On the lower landing Jewel rose up out of the dusk,where she had been sitting near the beautiful clock.

Her bright little face shone up at him like a sunbeam.

"You didn't expect to see me,grandpa,did you?"she asked,and as it did not even occur to him to stoop his head to her,she seized his hand and kissed it as they went on down the stairs.

"I was so disappointed because it rained so hard.I was going to see you ride.""Yes.Beastly weather,"assented Mr.Evringham.

"But the flowers and trees want a drink,don't they?""'M.I suppose so."

"And the brook will be prettier than ever."

"'M.See that you keep out of it."

"Yes,I will,grandpa;and I thought the first thing this morning,I'll wear my rubbers all day.I was so afraid I might forget I put them right on to make sure."They had reached the hall,and Jewel exhibited her feet encased in the roomy storm rubbers.

"Great Scott,child!"ejaculated Mr.Evringham,viewing the shiny overshoes."What size are your feet?""I don't know,"returned the little girl,"but I only have to scuff some,and then they'll stay on.Mrs.Forbes said I'd grow to them.""So you will,I should think,if you're going to wear them in the house as well as out."It was against Mr.Evringham's principles to smile before breakfast,at all events at any one except Essex Maid;but the large,shiny overshoes that looked like overgrown beetles,and Jewel's optimistic determination to make him happy,even offset his painful arm.

"The house doesn't leak anywhere,"he said."I think it will be safe for you to take them off until after breakfast."Jewel lifted her shoulders and looked up at him with the glance he knew.

"Unless we're going out to the stable,"she said suggestively.

He hesitated a moment."Very well,"he returned."Let us go to the stable.""But first we must tie the ribbons,"she said with a joyous chuckle.

She would have skipped but for the rubbers.As it was,she proceeded circumspectly to the library,drawing the broker by the hand."I want you to see,grandpa,if you don't think I made my parting real straight this morning,"she said as she softly closed the door.

"Gently on my arm,Jewel,"he remonstrated,wincing as she returned,flinging her energetic little body against him."I have the rheumatism like the devil--pardon me."She looked at him suddenly,wondering and wistful."Oh,have you?"she returned sympathetically."But it is only like the devil,grandpa,"she added hopefully,"and you know there isn't any devil.""I can't discuss theology before breakfast,"he returned briefly.

"Dear grandpa,you shan't have a single pain!"She held her head back and looked at him lovingly.

"Very likely not,when I've begun playing the harp.Now where are those con--those ribbons?"Jewel's eyes and lips grew suddenly serious and doubtful,and he observed the change.

"Yes,your hair ribbons,you know,"he added hastily and with an attempt at geniality.

"Not if you don't like to,grandpa."

"I love to,"he protested."I've been looking forward to it all the morning.I thought 'never mind if I can't go riding,I can tie Jewel's hair ribbons.'"The child laughed a little,even though her companion did not."Oh grandpa,you're such a joker,"she said;"just like father."But he saw that she doubted his mood,and the toe of one of the overshoes was boring into the carpet as she stood where she had withdrawn from him.

"Let us see if you parted your hair better,"he said in a different and gentler tone,and instantly the flaxen head was bent before him,and Jewel felt in her pocket for the ribbons.He had not the heart to say what he thought;namely,that her parting looked as though a saw had been substituted for a comb.

"Very well,very well,"he said kindly.

When the ribbons were at last tied,the two proceeded to the dining-room.Here an open fire of logs furnished the cheerful light that was lacking outside.The morning paper hung over the back of a chair,warming before the blaze.

Mrs.Forbes entered from the butler's pantry and looked surprised."Ididn't expect you down for half an hour yet,sir.Shall I hurry breakfast?""No;I'm going to take Jewel to the stable."Mr.Evringham stopped and took a few lumps of sugar from the bowl.

"Julia,where are your rubbers?"asked the housekeeper.

"On,"said the child,lifting her foot.

"I only hope they'll stay there,"remarked her grandfather."I think,Mrs.Forbes,you must buy shoes as I've heard that Chinamen do,--the largest they can get for the money."He disappeared with his happy little companion,and the housekeeper looked after them disapprovingly.

"They're both going out bareheaded,"she mused."I'd like to bet--Iwould bet anything that she asked him to take her.He never even stopped to look at the paper.He's just putty in her hands,that's what he is,putty;and she's been here three days."Mr.Evringham's apprehensions proved to have foundation.Halfway to the barn Jewel stepped in a bit of sticky mud and left one rubber.Her companion did not stop to let her get it,but picking her up under his well arm,strode on to the barn,where they appeared to the astonished Zeke.

Jewel was laughing in high glee.She was used to being caught up in a strong arm and run with.

Mr.Evringham shook the drops from his head."Get Jewel's rubber please,Zeke,"he said,pointing with his thumb over his shoulder.