They're so pretty, cousin Eloise and aunt Madge,
I love to look at them, but they aren't my real relations, and," her
face gladdening again, "to think of having breakfast alone with you,
grandpa, makes me feel as if--as if I had a birthday!"

Mr. Evringham cleared his throat. The situation might have been a little
easier if Mrs. Forbes had not been present, but as it was, he had never
felt so embarrassed in his life.

"Now eat your oatmeal, Julia," said the housekeeper repressively. "Mr.
Evringham always reads his paper at breakfast."

"Yes," replied the child with docility. She poured the cream from a
small silver pitcher with a neatness that won Mrs. Forbes's approval;
and Mr. Evringham read over headlines in the paper, while he sipped his
coffee, without understanding in the least the meaning of the words.
Mrs. Forbes was right. Discipline must be maintained. This was the time
during which he wished to read his paper, and it was most astonishing to
be so vigorously taken possession of by an utter stranger. Now was the
time to repress her if she were to be repressed. Mrs. Forbes was right.
After a while he glanced across at the child. She looked very small
and clean, and she was ready with a quick smile for him; but she put a
little forefinger against her lips jocosely. He cleared his throat again
and averted his eyes, rumpling the paper as he turned a leaf.

Mrs. Forbes left the room with the oatmeal dishes.

Jewel leaned forward quickly. "Grandpa," she said earnestly, "if you
would declare every day, over and over, that no error could come near
your house, I think she would go away of her own accord."

Mr. Evringham stared, open paper in hand. "What? Who?"

"Mrs. Forbes."

"Go away? Mrs. Forbes? What are you thinking of! I couldn't get on
without Mrs. Forbes."

"Oh!" Jewel leaned back with the long-drawn exclamation. "I thought she
was what made you look sorry."

"No indeed. I have enough things to make me sorry, but she isn't one of
them."

"Do you like her?" wonderingly.

"I--why--I respect her profoundly."

"Oh! It must be lots easier to respect her pro--the way you do, than to
like her; but," with firm lips, "I've got to love her. I told Anna Belle
so this morning, and especially if you want her to stay."

"Bless my soul!" Mr. Evringham looked in dismay as his _vis-a-vis_. "You
must be very careful, Julia, not to offend or trouble her in any way,"
he said.

"All right, grandpa, I will, and the