it because you gave it to me, but I can get with it a
wonderful thing, a truth which, if we had known it, would have saved you
all those torturing hours, would have saved your dear life. I know how
gladly you would have me get it now, for you are learning it too; and it
will be your gift, dear, _dear_ papa, your gift just the same."

Jewel had to study the lesson with only Anna Belle's assistance that
morning, but she received the third letter from her mother and father.
Their trip was proving a success from the standpoints of both business
and pleasure, but their chief longing was to get back to their little
girl.

It was very like visiting with them to read it over, and Jewel did so
more than once. "I'll show it to cousin Eloise as soon as she comes
home," she reflected. Then she dressed Anna Belle to go out.

Running downstairs the child sought and found Mrs. Forbes in the
kitchen. The housekeeper no longer questioned her going and coming,
although she still considered herself in the light of the child's only
disciplinarian, and was vigilant to watch for errors of omission and
commission, and quick to correct them.

"Mrs. Forbes, may I have an old kitchen knife?"

"Certainly not. You'll cut yourself."

"I want it to dig up plants."

Mrs. Forbes stared down at her. "Why, you mustn't do any such thing."

"I mean wild flowers for a garden that Anna Belle and I are going to
make."

"Oh. I'll see if I can't find you a trowel."

There was one at hand, and as the housekeeper passed it to the child she
warned her:--

"Be careful you don't make a mistake, now, and get hold of anybody's
plants. What did your cousin Eloise go to New York for?"

"I don't know."

"Well I hope it's for her trousseau."

Jewel smiled. "My mother makes those."

"I don't believe she'll ever make one for you, then," returned Mrs.
Forbes, but not ill-naturedly. She laughed, glancing at Sarah, who stood
by.

"But I think she will for Anna Belle," returned Jewel brightly, "when
she gets older."

The housekeeper and maid both laughed. "Run along," said Mrs. Forbes,
"and don't you be late for lunch."

"She's an awful sweet child," said Sarah half reproachfully. "Just the
spirit of sunshine."

"Oh well, they'd turn her head here if it wasn't for me," answered the
other complacently.

Jewel was not late to lunch, but eating it tete-a-tete with aunt Madge
was not to her taste.

Mrs. Evringham utilized the opportunity to admonish he