“Never, and I don’t wish to.  Please believe how supremely content I am.”

“My carriages are small.  It is so long since I’ve had a family.  When we return I shall get one that will hold us all.”

“Oh, yes, grandpa,” cried Jewel enthusiastically.  “You and I on the front seat, driving, and mother and father on the back seat.”

“Well, we have more than two months to decide how we shall sit.  I fancy it will oftener be your father and mother in the phaeton and you and I on our noble steeds, eh, Jewel?”

“Yes, I think so, too,” she returned seriously.

Mr. Evringham smiled slightly at his daughter.  “The occasions when we differ are not numerous enough to mention,” he remarked.

“I hope it may always be so,” she replied, going on with her work.

“This looks like moving,” observed the broker, wiping his forehead with his pocket-handkerchief and looking about on the still, green scene.  “I think we had better plan to go to the shore next week.”

Julia smiled and sighed.  “Very well, but any change seems as if it might be for the worse,” she said.

“Then you’ve never tried summer in New Jersey,” he responded.  “I hear you are a great story-teller, Julia.  If I should wear some large bows behind my ears, couldn’t I come to some of these readings?”

As no laugh from Jewel greeted this sally, he looked down at her.  She was gazing off wistfully.

“What is it, Jewel?” he asked.

“I was wondering if it wouldn’t seem a long time to Essex Maid and Star without us!”

“Dear me, dear me, how little you do know those horses!” and the broker shook his head.

“Why, grandpa?  Will they like it?”

“Do you suppose for one minute that you could make them stay at home?”

“Are they going with us, grandpa?” Jewel began to hop joyfully, but her habit interfered.

“Certainly.  They naturally want to see what sort of bits and bridles are being worn at the seashore this year.”

“Do you realize what unfashionable people you are proposing to take, yourself, father?” asked Julia.  She was visited by daily doubts in this regard.

The broker returned her glance gravely.  “Have you ever seen Jewel’s silk dress?” he asked.

The child beamed at him.  “She made it!” she announced triumphantly.

“Then you must know,” said Mr. Evringham, “that it would save any social situation.”

Julia laughed over her sewing.  “My machine came to-day,” she said.  “I meant to make something a little fine, but if we go in a few days”—­

“Don’t think of it,” replied the host hastily.  “You are both all right.  I don’t want you to see a needle.  I’m sorry you are at it now.”

“But I like it.  I really do.”

“I’m going to take you to the coolest place on Long Island, but not to the most fashionable.”

“That is good news,” returned Julia, “Run along, Jewel, and dress for dinner.”