"Ho!" laughed Zeke uncomfortably, "just a smile or two with the boys. By ginger, you've got a nose on you, mother."
"Can you think of your father and then laugh over it, Zeke? There hasn't a man ever come to be a sot that didn't laugh about it in the first place."
"Now, mother, now, now," said the young fellow in half-impatient tones of consolation, as he took the handkerchief from her apron pocket and wiped her eyes, where tears began to spring. "You must trust a chap to do what's right. I ain't a fool. Don't you think about this again. I can take care of myself. Come now, to change the subject, what's your opinion of Christian Science as applied to horses with the colic?"
"What do you mean?" returned the housekeeper in an unusually subdued tone.
"Why, didn't you catch on? The kid was over there in the corner treating the Maid. That's what they call it, treating 'em. Mr. Evringham laughed when he found out, and she jumped on him. Yes, she did; came right out and told him that wasn't the way to show his gratitude, or something like that. Think of the nerve!"
"I ain't surprised. That child can't surprise me."
"But what do you think of it, ma? I tell you 't was queer, the way that mare's pain stopped. Of course I ain't going to believe--but," firmly, "I can't get away from a notion that those Christian Science folks know something that we don't. Busby was madder'n a hornet. I didn't scarcely know what to say to him."
"Don't be soft, Zeke," returned his mother, picking up the kettle. "The time for superstition has gone by."
As Jewel and her grandfather entered the house they heard music.
"That's cousin Eloise playing. Have you heard her grandpa?"
"Than you haven't sat with them in the evening for a long time?" suggested the child.
"No. I--I didn't wish to monopolize their society. I wanted to give Dr. Ballard a chance. He is a friend of theirs, you know."
"Yes, but I think cousin Eloise would be glad if she thought you liked her playing. It's very beautiful, isn't it, grandpa?"
"Yes, I dare say. Then, besides, I'm not at all sure that Mrs. Evringham would permit me to smoke in the drawing-room."
"But wouldn't it be nice to go in there just a few minutes before you go to your study? I love to hear cousin Eloise play, but I like to be with you, grandpa."