“Oh, Harry!  You’ve really been talking about Science?”

“Yes, my dear, and about you; and I tell you, he wasn’t bored.  When I’d let up a little he’d ask me another question; and at last he said, father did, ‘Well, I believe she’ll make a man of you yet, Harry!’ Not too complimentary, I admit, but I swallowed it and never flinched.  I knew he wasn’t going to see enough of you in two days to half know you, so I just thought I’d give him a few statistics, and they made an impression, I assure you.  After that if he wanted to set me down a little it was no more than I deserved, and he was welcome.”

For a long moment the two looked into one another’s eyes, then Harry spoke in a subdued tone:—­

“You’ve done a lot for me, Julia; but the biggest thing of all, the thing that is most wonderful and that means the most to me, and for which I’d worship you through eternity if it was all you’d done, is that you have taught me of Christian Science and shown me how it has guarded that child’s love and respect for me, when I was forfeiting both every hour.  I’ll work to my last day, my girl, to show you my gratitude for that.”

“Darling boy!” she murmured.

Next morning at rising time Jewel was still wrapped in slumber.  Her parents looked at her before going downstairs.

“Do you know, I can’t help feeling a bit relieved,” laughed Julia softly, “that she won’t go down with us.  The little thing is rather thoughtless with her grandfather, and though he has evidently schooled himself to endure her energetic ways, I can’t help feeling a bit anxious all the time.  He has borne it so well this long that I want to get her away before she breaks the camel’s back.  When do you think we can go, Harry?”

“To-morrow or next day.  You might get things packed to-day.  I really ought to go, but I don’t want to seem in a hurry.”

“Oh, yes, do let us go to-morrow,” returned Julia eagerly.

The Westminster clock on the stairs chimed as they passed down, and Mr. Evringham was waiting for them in the dining-room.  As he said good-morning he looked beyond them, expectantly.

Mrs. Forbes greeted them respectfully and indicated their seats.

“Where is Jewel?” asked the host.

“In dreamland.  You couldn’t waken her with a volley of artillery,” returned Harry cheerfully.

“H’m,” returned his father.

They all took their places at the table and Julia remarked on the charming outlook from the windows.

“Yes,” returned the host.  “I’m sorry I can’t stay at home this morning and do the honors of the park.  I shall leave that to Harry and Jewel.  As we were rather late last night I didn’t take my canter this morning.  If you wish to have a turn on the mare, Harry, Zeke knows that the stables are in your hands.  No one but myself rides Essex Maid, but I’ll make a shining exception of you.”

“I appreciate the honor,” returned Harry lightly, but as a matter of fact he did not at all grasp its extent.