Mr. Evringham was quite certain that it had been curiosity, but he was willing to accept a higher sounding hypothesis. “Mother explained to me about God making 'the wrath of man to praise Him,'” added Jewel after the moment's pause. “If it makes you kind to cousin Eloise, perhaps we can be glad you read it.” “What is the matter with Eloise?” asked Mr. Evringham. Jewel sat up, fixed him with her eyes, pressed her lips together, and shook her head. “You won't tell me?” The head went on firmly shaking. “Then let me read the letter again.” “No, grandpa,” decidedly. He kept one arm around her as he smoothed his mustache. “Is there something you think I ought to do?” A light seemed to illumine the eyes that the little girl kept fixed on his, but she did not speak. “Do you think it discourteous for me to spend my evenings away from those two? They don't want me, child.” Still she did not speak. Mr. Evringham was divided between a desire to shake her and the wish to see the familiar fondness return to her face. “You wrote that Eloise thinks I do not want her and her mother here. Her intelligence is of a higher order than I feared. Well, what can be done about it? I've been asking myself that for some time. How would it do to settle some money upon them and then say good-by?” “If you did it with love,” suggested Jewel. “It's my impression that they could dispense with the love under those circumstances.” The broker gave a slight smile. The child put an impulsive little hand on his shoulder. “No indeed, grandpa. Nobody can do without love. It hurts cousin Eloise because she isn't your real relation. She doesn't know how kind you are inside.” The child's lips closed suddenly. “She fixed your hair very nicely,” Mr. Evringham viewed the flaxen head critically. “That's one thing in her favor.” “She's full of things in her favor,” returned Jewel warmly. “Error's using you, grandpa, not to love her. If we don't love people we can't be sure anything we do to them is right.” Mr. Evringham raised one hand and scratched his head slowly, regarding Jewel with what she felt was intended to be a humorous air. “Couldn't you give me an easier one?” he asked. “Oh grandpa,” the flaxen head nestled against his breast and the child sighed. “I wish everybody knew how kind you are,” and the broker patted her shoulder and enjoyed the clinging pressure of her cheek, for it assured him that again he stood firmly on the pedestal. CHAPTER XVIII ESSEX MAID The rain and wind lasted for three days, clearing at last on an evening which proved eventful. Mr. Evringham had taken a long ride into the country roundabout, and Jewel had been down at the gate to greet his return. He swung her up into the saddle with him, and in triumph she rode to the barn. Mrs. Evringham observed this from the window and reported to Eloise.