第65章 BY THE BROOKSIDE(4)

All I know is I want to read,read,read all the time.I was just thinking a minute ago that if we had the books here it would be perfect.This is the sort of place where it would be easiest to see that only the good is the real,and that the unsubstantiality of everything evil can be proved."Jewel gave her head a little shake."Just think of poor Dr.Ballard being afraid to have you believe that.""But who wouldn't be afraid to believe it,who wouldn't!"exclaimed the girl vehemently.

"Why,I've always known it,cousin Eloise,"returned the child simply.

"You dear baby.You haven't lived long.I don't want to climb into a fool's paradise only to fall out with a dull thud."Jewel looked at her,grasping as well as she could her meaning."Iknow I'm only a little girl;but if you should go to church with me,"she said,"you'd see a lot of grown-up people who know it's true.Then we could go on Wednesday evenings and hear them tell what Christian Science has done for them.""Oh,I'm sure I shouldn't like that,"responded Eloise quickly."How can they bear to tell!""They don't think it's right not to.There are lots of other people besides you that are sorry and need to learn the truth."The rebuke was so innocent and,withal,so direct,that honest Eloise turned toward Jewel and made an impulsive grasp toward her,capturing nothing but the edge of the child's dress,which she held firmly.

"You're right,Jewel.I'm a selfish,thin-skinned creature,"she declared.

The little girl shook her head."You've got to stop thinking you are,you know,"she answered."You have to know that the error Eloise isn't you.""That's mortal mind,I suppose,"returned Eloise,smiling at the sound of the phrase.

"I should think it was!Old thing!Always trying to cheat us!"said Jewel."All that you have to do is to remember every minute that God's child must be manifested.He inherits every good and perfect thing,and has dominion over every belief of everything else."Eloise stared at her in wonder."Do you know what you've talking about,you little thing,when you use all those long words?""Yes.Don't you?"asked the child."Oh,listen!"for a bird suddenly poured a wild strain of melody from the treetop.

"And just think,"said Jewel presently,in a soft,awestruck tone,"that some people wear birds sewed on their hats,just as if they were glad something was dead!""It isweird,"agreed Eloise."I never liked it.Jewel,did Dr.

Ballard blame you because I am interested in Christian Science?""He said he wished I wouldn't talk to you and go to church and everything."The girl bit a blade of grass and eyed the child's serious face.

"Well,what are you going to do about it?"

"I asked God to show me.I wish Dr.Ballard would study with you.""That is impossible.He has spent years learning his science,and he loves it and is proud of it;so what next?""Very queer things happen sometimes,"rejoined Jewel doubtfully.

"But not so queer as that would be,"returned Eloise.

Jewel was pondering.This was very delicate ground,and she still felt some awe of her cousin;however,there was only one thing to consider.

"Do you love him better than anybody,cousin Eloise?"she asked.

A flood of color warmed the girl's face,but she had to smile.

"Would that make the difference?"she asked."Mustn't we want the truth anyway?"Jewel heaved a mighty sigh.She was thinking of Dr.Ballard's pensive eyes."I should thinkso,"she answered frankly;"because if you just study the truth,and hold on tight,how can things be anything but happy at last?I wish I was more grown up,cousin Eloise,"she added apologetically.

"Oh no,no,"answered the girl,with a little catch in her throat.

"I've had so much of grown-up people,Jewel!I'm so grown up myself!

Just a little while ago I was a schoolgirl,busy and happy all the time.I never even went out anywhere except with father,and with Nat when he was at home from college.You don't know Nat,but you'd like him.""Why!Is he a Christian Scientist?"

For answer Eloise laughed low but heartily."Nat a Christian Scientist!"she mused aloud."Not exactly,my little cousin!""Then should I like him as well as Dr.Ballard?"asked Jewel incredulously.

"I don't know.Tastes differ."

"Does he like horses?"asked the child.

"He knows everything about a horse and a yacht except how to pay for them,poor boy,"returned Eloise.

"Is he poor?"

"Yes,he is poor and expensive.It is a bad combination;it is almost as bad as being poor and extravagant.His mother is a widow,and they haven't much,but what there was she has insisted on spending on him--that is,all she could spare from the doctor's bills.""She needs Science then,doesn't she?"

"Jewel,that would be one thing that would keep me from wanting to be a Scientist.What's the fun of being one unless everybody else is?My mother,for instance.""Yes;but then you'd find out how to help her."Eloise glanced at the child curiously.She thought it would be interesting to peep into Jewel's mind and see her estimate of Aunt Madge.

"My mother has a great deal to trouble her,"she said loyally.

"Yes,I know she thinks she has,"returned the child.

Again her response surprised her companion.

"I'll take you as you are,Jewel,"she said."I'm glad you're not grown up.You're fresher from the workshop."