“Thank you.” Mrs. Forbes hastened downstairs and out of doors. Glancing about she quickly perceived the short legs stretched in a reclining chair, and advanced toward the relaxed little figure. “Julia, wake up!” she said, touching her. The child stirred and opened her eyes. Her movement made the doll slip to the floor, and this caused her to come to herself suddenly. “Why, I fell asleep, didn't I?” she said drowsily, reaching for the doll. “Yes, and in Mr. Evringham's own chair!” responded Mrs. Forbes. “They're all his, aren't they?” asked the child. “Yes, but this is his special favorite, where he always lies to rest. Remember!” returned Mrs. Forbes. “Come right upstairs now and change your dress for dinner. He will be coming home in a few minutes.” “Oh, good!” exclaimed Jewel with satisfaction, and passed into the house. Mrs. Forbes was following ponderously. “Oh, you don't need to come with me,” protested the child earnestly. “I can do it all myself.” “Are you sure?” doubtfully. “Oh, ye--es!” replied the little girl, running lightly up the stairs. “I ought to put her on the second floor,” mused Mrs. Forbes, “if I've got to be running up and down; but I suppose she has done for herself a great deal. I suppose the mother hadn't time to be bothered. I'd like to make Mamzell change rooms with her.” Jewel hummed a tune as she took off her sailor suit, performed her ablutions, and then went to her closet to choose a frock for dinner. She decided on a blue dress with white dots chiefly because she would not have to change her hair ribbons. She had never herself tied those voluminous bows. At last she was ready and danced toward the door, but some novel timidity made her hesitate and go back sedately to the chair by the window. Mrs. Forbes's impressive figure seemed to loom up with an order to her to wait the summons of the gong. She sat there for what seemed a very long time, and at last a knock sounded at the door. Perhaps grandpa had come up. Jewel flew to open to him--and saw the white capped maid who had appeared at luncheon. “They are all at table, and Mr. Evringham wishes you to come down,” she said. “But I was waiting for the gong.” “We only have that at noon.” Jewel's feet flew down the stairs. Her grandfather had sent for her. She was eager to reach him, yet when she entered the dining-room, her little face all alight, it was not so easy to run to him as she had fancied. He sat stiffly at the foot of the table. Opposite him was aunt Madge, and at her left sat the prettiest young lady the child had ever seen. Mrs. Forbes stood near Mr. Evringham, looking very serious. Jewel took in all this at a glance, and contenting herself with greeting her grandfather's lifted eyes with a smile, she ran to Mrs. Evringham and turned her back. “There's just one button in the middle, aunt Madge, that I can't reach,” she explained softly.