are this minute. All these titles are
those she has given to your house and household in the last two days,
and according to her diagnosis, it is that indulgence from which she
is suffering now, and not from too much brook. She says she has 'voiced
error.'"

The doctor looked quizzically at his friend, who returned his gaze,
nonplussed.

"That's it--'error,'" rejoined Mr. Evringham, "that's what she is
often saying. This explains her vocabulary, in all probability. She
has sometimes the strangest talk you ever listened to. Well, that's the
mother's doing, of course, and not the child's fault. I maintain it is
not the child's fault. With it all, Ballard, I tell you she's a very
well meaning child--a rather winning child, in fact. Good natured
disposition. I hope she's not very ill. I do, indeed. Ha! That, then, is
why she was so excited at the thought of having a doctor. Tomfoolery!"

"Yes, that was it. We've had some argument." The young doctor smiled.
"She doesn't consider me hopeless, however. She told me that she had
mentioned to the Lord that she was sure I didn't know it was wrong to
believe in materia medica."

No one for years had heard Mr. Evringham laugh as he laughed at this.
The doctor joined him.

"I'm not surprised," said the broker at last. "If there is anything she
does not mention to her Creator, I have yet to learn what it is. How did
you get around her, Ballard?"

"Oh, I used a little justifiable hocus-pocus about the medicine. That's
all."

"And you think it's not anything very serious, then?"

"I think not. Where there's so much temperature it is a little hard to
tell at first with a child. This evening I shall make a more thorough
examination. The ice is broken now, and it will be easier. She will be
less excited. I see," glancing at the yellow chicken, whose beady eyes
appeared to be following the conversation, "the little girl has found
her way even into this sanctum."

Mr. Evringham cleared his throat as he followed the doctor's glance.
"No," he responded shortly. "She has not found her way in here yet. That
is--my chicken. She bought it for me."

Dr. Ballard lifted his eyebrows and smiled as he arose.

"Come back before dinner if possible, Ballard. I shall be uneasy."

CHAPTER XII

THE TELEGRAM

Mrs. Forbes entered Jewel's room after speaking with the doctor. The
little girl looked at her eagerly. A plan had formed in her mind which
depended for its success largely on the