r
had the dress-suit case and bags.

Mrs. Evringham looked inquiringly at her husband, but he was gayly talking
with Jewel as the four walked out to the street.

Mr. Evringham led the way to a carriage that was standing there. "This is
ours," he said, opening the door.

Harry put the bags up beside the driver while his wife entered the vehicle,
still in doubt as to their destination. Jewel jumped in beside her.

"You'd better move over, dear," said her mother quietly. "Let Mr. Evringham
ride forward."

She was not surprised that Jewel was ignorant of carriage etiquette. It was
seldom that either of them had seen the inside of one.

The broker heard the suggestion. "_Place aux dames_," he said, briefly, and
moved the child back with one hand. Then he entered, Harry jumped in beside
him, slammed the door, and they rolled away.

"If Anna Belle was here the whole family would be together," said Jewel
joyously. "I don't care which one I sit by. I love everybody in this
carriage!"

"You do, eh, rascal?" returned her father, putting his hand over in her
silken lap and giving her a little shake. "Where is the great and good Anna
Belle?"

"Waiting for us. Just think of it, all this time! Grandpa, are we going
home with you?"

"What do you mean?" inquired the broker, and the tone of the curt question
chilled the spine of his daughter-in-law. "Were you thinking of spending
the night in the ferry-house, perhaps?"

"Why, no, only mother said"--

Mrs. Evringham pressed the child's arm. "That was nothing, Jewel; I simply
didn't know what the plan was," she put in hastily.

"Oh, of course," went on the little girl. "Mother didn't know aunt Madge
and cousin Eloise were gone, and she didn't believe there'd be room. She
doesn't know how big the house is, does she, grandpa?" An irresistible yawn
seized the child, and in the middle of it her father leaned forward and
chucked her under the chin.

Her jaws came together with a snap. "There! you spoiled that nice one!" she
exclaimed, jumping up and laughing as she flung herself upon her big
playmate, and a small scuffle ensued in which the wide leghorn hat brim
sawed against Mr. Evringham's shoulder and neck in a manner that caused
Mrs. Evringham's heart to leap toward her throat. How _could_ Harry be so
thoughtless! A street lamp showed the grim lines of the broker's averted
face as he gazed stonily out to the street.

"Come here, Jewel; sit still," said the mother, strivin