第29章 THE RAVINE(2)

With many a pause to work at a refractory elastic or button,and many interruptions from catches in her breath,she murmured aloud during the process of her undressing:"Dear Father in Heaven,I seem to feel sorry all over,and full of error.Help me to know that I'm not a mortal mind little girl,hating and angry,but I am Thy child,and the only things I know are good,happy things.Error has no power and Love has all power.I love Mrs.Forbes,and she loves me.Thou art here even in this house,and please help me to know that one of Thy children cannot hurt another."Here Jewel slipped into the new wrapper her mother had made,and hurried into the white tiled bathroom near by.While she let the water run into the tub she put her hand into her pocket mechanically,in search of a handkerchief,and when she felt the crisp touch of paper she drew it out eagerly.It was covered,and she read the words written in her mother's distinct hand.

"Love to my Jewel.Is she making a stepping-stone of every trial,and learning to think less and less about herself,and more and more about other people?And does she remember that little girls cannot always understand the error that grown-up people have to meet,especially those who have not Science to help them?They must be treated very gently,and I hope my little Jewel will be always kind and patient,and make her new friends glad she is there."The child folded the paper and put it carefully back in her pocket.

Then she took her bath,and returning to her room undressed her doll in silence.Finally,changing her wrapper for her nightdress,she climbed into bed,where she lay thinking and looking at the sunlight on the wall.

At dinner time the maid Sarah appeared with a tray."Here's your dinner,Miss Julia,"she said,looking at the heavy-eyed little girl.

"It's too bad you're not well."

"I am well,thank you,"replied Jewel."I'm sorry you had to carry that heavy tray up so many stairs.""Oh,I don't mind that,"returned the girl good-naturedly."I'll set it right here by the bed.""Is grandpa down there?"asked Jewel wistfully.

"Yes,Miss Julia.They're all eating their dinner.I hope you'll enjoy yours."Sarah went away,and the little girl spread some bread and butter and ate it slowly.

Meanwhile,when the family had gathered at the dinner table,Mr.

Evringham looked up at his housekeeper.

"Where is Jewel?"he asked shortly."I object to her being unpunctual.""Yes,sir.She is having dinner in her room.She was very naughty and got wet in the brook.""Ah,indeed!"Mr.Evringham frowned and looked down.He had been a little disappointed that the bright face was not watching to see him come home from his ride,but of course discipline must be maintained.

"I'm sorry to hear this,"he added.

Mrs.Evringham and Eloise found him a shade less taciturn than usual to-night.He felt vaguely that he now had an ally of his own flesh and blood in the house,a spirit sufficiently kindred to prefer his society to theirs,and this made him unusually lenient.

He meant to go upstairs after dinner,and warn Jewel to be more careful in future to conform to all Mrs.Forbes's rules;but the meal was scarcely over when a friend called to get him to attend some business meeting held that evening in the interests of the town,and he became interested in his statements and went away with him.