“As if we were babies!” she whispered to her doll. “She's the most afraid woman I ever saw, and she looks so _sorry_! She isn't our relation, so no matter, dearie, what she says. This is father's room, and we can think how he used to run around here when he was a little boy.” Tiptoeing to the door, Jewel closed it and began to inspect her new apartment. The sweet smelling soap on the marble stand, the silver mountings of the faucets, the large fine towels, the empty closet and drawers, all looked inviting. Throughout her examination the little girl kept pausing to listen. Surely aunt Madge and cousin Eloise would look in before they went out to their engagement. Mother had so often said how nice it was that they were there. Surely they didn't know that she had arrived. That was it, of course; and Mrs. Forbes was so sorry and anxious she would probably forget to tell them. Some altercation was just then going on in the apartments of those ladies. “We ought to speak to her before we go,” said Mrs. Evringham persuasively. “Father would probably resent it if we didn't.” “I have told you already,” returned Eloise, “that I do not intend doing one thing henceforward that grandfather could interpret as being done to please him.” “But that is carrying it ridiculously far, not to greet your cousin, who has come from a journey and is your guest.” “My guest!” returned the girl derisively. “We are hers more likely. I will not go to her. The sooner grandfather sends us away the better.” Mrs. Evringham looked worried. “This is mania, Eloise!” she returned coaxingly. “Very well, I shall go and speak to the child. She shan't be able to tell her grandfather of any rudeness.” In a few minutes Jewel, sitting by her window, Anna Belle in her lap, heard the _frou-frou_ of skirts in the hall, and with a knock at the door, a lady entered. She was arrayed in a thin black gown and wore a large black hat, that was very becoming. Jewel's admiration went out to her on the instant and she started up. The lady swept toward her, and bending, a delicate perfume wafted about Jewel as she felt a light touch of lips on her cheek. “So this is Julia Evringham,” said the newcomer. “And you are aunt Madge,” returned the child gladly, clinging to the gloved hand, which endured for a moment, and then firmly disengaged itself. “Your father and mother got off all right I hope?” went on the airy voice. “I'm always afraid of winds at this season myself, but they may not have them. Your cousin Eloise and I are hurrying away to a luncheon, but we shall see you at dinner. You're very comfortable here? That's right. Good-bye.” She swept away, and the light again faded from Jewel's face as she went slowly back to her seat. “Aunt Madge is afraid, too,” she said to the doll. “We know there won't be winds, don't we, dearie? God will take care of father and mother.” An uncomfortable lump rose towards the child's throat.