t of it," she returned, then
relapsed into quiet.

Mrs. Forbes's countenance was stony. "Children should be seen and not
heard," was her doctrine, and this dressmaker's child had an assurance
beyond belief. She seemed to feel no awe whatever in her grandfather's
presence.

The housekeeper caught Jewel's eye and gave her such a quenching look
that thenceforward the little girl succumbed to the silence which the
others seemed to prefer.

After dinner she would have a good visit with grandpa and talk about
when father was a little boy. Her hopes were dashed, for just as they
were rising from the table, a man was announced, with whom Mr. Evringham
closeted himself in the library.

In the drawing-room aunt Madge and cousin Eloise both set themselves at
letter-writing, and entirely ignored Jewel. The child looked listlessly
at a book with pictures, which she found on the table, until half-past
eight, when Mrs. Forbes came to say it was time for her to go to bed.

She rose and stood a moment, turning hesitatingly from her aunt to her
cousin.

"Oh, is it bedtime?" asked aunt Madge, looking up from her letter.
"Good-night, Julia. I hope you'll sleep well." Then she returned to her
writing.

Eloise bit her lip as she regarded the little girl with a moment's
hesitation, but no, she had decided on her plan of action. Mrs. Forbes
was observing her. Eloise knew the housekeeper's attitude toward them
was defensive, if not offensive. "Good-night," she said briefly, and
looked down again.

"Good-night," returned Jewel quietly, and went out.

In the hall she hesitated. "I want to say good-night to grandpa," she
said.

"Well, you can't," returned Mrs. Forbes decidedly. "He is talking
business and mustn't be disturbed."

She followed the child up the staircase.

"I could go to bed alone, if I only knew where the matches are."

"You said you could dress alone, but you had to ask Mrs. Evringham to
button your frock. Remember after this that I am the one to ask. She and
Miss Eloise don't want to be bothered."

"Is it a bother to do a kindness?" asked Jewel in a subdued tone.

"To some folks it is," was the response. They had reached the door of
the child's room; "but some folks can see their duty and do it," she
added virtuously.

Jewel realized regretfully that her present companion belonged to the
latter class.

"Now here, right inside the door," proceeded Mrs. Forbes, "is the
switch. There's electricity all over thi