As Mr.Evringham turned from the closed door he met his daughter-in-law coming out into the hall.
"I've been watching for Dr.Ballard,"she said with annoyance."Idon't see why I didn't hear him come down."At this juncture she paused,surprised to observe that her father-in-law was laughing.She attributed this unusual ebullition to ridicule of herself.
"I only wanted to ask if Julia's illness is infectious,"she went on with dignity."Eloise and I are naturally very anxious.We should like to do anything for her we can,if it is quite safe.""Madam,don't,I pray,for all our sakes,run any risk,"returned Mr.
Evringham,his lips still twitching as he bowed mockingly.
"It would be very foolish,"answered Mrs.Evringham,unabashed."You wouldn't care to have more invalids on your hands.It has been all Icould do to keep Eloise away from the sick room to-day.""Is it possible!"commented Mr.Evringham,smoothing his mustache.
"Not only possible but true,and I wished to go to headquarters and find out the exact state of the case."Again the broker's shoulders began to shake.
"Ballard isn't headquarters,"he replied.
Mrs.Evringham regarded him,startled.She wondered if affairs were perhaps very serious,and her father-in-law's nerves overstrained.She knew that he had dispensed with the afternoon ride which was so important to him.
She grew a shade paler."I wish you would tell me,father,just what the doctor said,"she begged.
Mr.Evringham raised a protesting hand."I couldn't think of it,"he laughed."It would give me apoplexy."His daughter-in-law began to retreat,and the broker passed her and went into his study,still laughing.
Mrs.Evringham stood with lips parted,looking after him.Her heart beat fast.The doctor had called twice.He had come down the stairs in dead silence just now.She knew it,for she had been listening and waiting to intercept him.She had meant to say a number of pretty things to him concerning Eloise's anxiety about her little cousin.Her own anxiety redoubled,and she hurried to her daughter's room and narrated her experience.
"I really think we may have to go,Eloise,"she finished nervously.
"Even if it isn't infectious,it is so dreadfully dispiriting to be in a house where there is a dangerous illness,and possibly worse.I've been thinking perhaps we might go in town and take lodgings for a while.No one need know it.We could even stay there through the summer.None of our friends would be in town;then in autumn we could come back here."Eloise's lip curled."I doubt that,"she returned."Grandfather will be forearmed.I prophesy,mother,that you will never get our trunks up here again after you once take them out.""Really,Eloise,you do put things most repulsively,"returned Mrs.
Evringham with vexation."Besides,how do we know what the future is going to bring forth?Father behaves to me as if he might be on the verge of brain fever himself.""Poor little Jewel!"exclaimed the girl."I hope she will pull through,but if she is the cause of our leaving here,I shall always love her memory.""I don't know whether father will even come to dinner,"said Mrs.
Evringham,pursuing her own thoughts,"but I suppose we shall see Mrs.
Forbes.I do hope she has some sense about using disinfectants.It's outrageous for her to come near the dining-room when she is taking care of that child.Of course they'll have a nurse at once.Forbes doesn't like going out of her beaten track.""I can't forget that poor little voice rambling on so monotonously this afternoon,"said Eloise."I strained my ears to listen,but Icould make out only that she said something about 'love'and then about 'righteousness.'What a word for that little mouth.""I've seen smaller,"remarked Mrs.Evringham.
When finally they entered the dining-room punctually at the appointed hour,--even Mrs.Evringham dared take no liberties with that,--the host was there and greeted them as usual.Mrs.Forbes came in and took her position near him.Her employer gave her a side glance.His fears for Jewel allayed,his regard for his housekeeper's opinions had returned in full force.
He wished to ask for the little girl,to ask what she was doing now,and what she would like sent up for dinner,but he had not the courage.The aghast countenance which Mrs.Forbes had exhibited at the moment when the enormity of Jewel's conduct transpired remained in his memory.The housekeeper's appearance at present was noncommittal.Mrs.
Evringham sent her piercing and questioning glances in vain.
The silence in the usually silent room had not had time to become noticeable when the portiere was pushed aside and Jewel,arrayed in the dotted dress and carefully bearing the tall vase of nodding roses,entered the room.
Mrs.Evringham uttered a little cry and dropped her spoon.Eloise stared wild-eyed.The housekeeper flushed.
"Good evening,"said the child,glancing about as she approached,and sighing with relief as she set the heavy vase on the edge of the table."I had to come down so carefully not to spill,grandpa,that it made me a little late.Mrs.Forbes said you brought me the roses under false--false pretends,so I thought perhaps you would like them on the table."The housekeeper,hurrying forward,seized the vase from its precarious position and placed it in the centre of the board."I didn't tell you you might come downstairs,"she said,as she buttoned the middle button of Jewel's dress.
The little girl looked up in innocent surprise."You said I might dress me,so why should anybody have to bring up my dinner?"she asked.
Mrs.Forbes's countenance looked so lowering that Mr.Evringham hastened to speak in his brusque and final fashion."She is here now.
Might as well let her stay."
