horses."

"H'm. That don't surprise me. A young one that can stand up to the
governor wouldn't be afraid of anything in the way of horseflesh."

"So I decided," continued Mrs. Forbes, pulling on her roomy black
gloves, "that it would be better for her to go this morning in the
trolley."

"You _did_? Well if that ain't a regular step-mother act!" returned
Zeke in protest. "The kid had a bully time coming home from the depot
yesterday. Dick felt good, and he just lit out. I tell you her eyes
shone."

"I like to do what's best for folks in the end," declared Mrs. Forbes
virtuously. "Julia's parents are poor, and likely to be. She's only
going to be here six weeks, and what is the sense of encouraging a taste
she can't ever indulge? No, I'll take her in the trolley. It's a nice
morning, and I shan't mind the walk down to the gate." The speaker
marched with the dignity which was always inseparable from the veil
toward the back door of the house to give some last orders, and Zeke
lounged out with his rake toward the grounds at the front. There he
caught sight of a small figure in hat and jacket waiting on the piazza.
He turned toward it, and Jewel advanced with a smile of recognition.
She had had to look twice to identify her fine plum-colored companion of
yesterday's drive with this youth in shirt sleeves and a soft old hat.

"Well, little girl, how are you getting on?" he asked.

"Pretty well, thank you." Her beaming expression left no doubt that she
was very glad to see him.

"Not particularly flattering if she is," he mused. "Fine ladies not out
of their rooms yet, and ma doin' her duty by her to beat the band."

"Where's your doll?" he asked.

"I didn't bring her. I thought perhaps the--Mrs. Forbes would--would
just as lief she didn't come."

"Ma _hasn't_ played with dolls for quite a spell," agreed Zeke, with a
smile that was sunshine to the child.

"You live out in the barn with the horses, don't you?" she asked
eagerly. "Will you give me permission to go out there some time?"

"Sure. Come any time."

"Mrs. Forbes said I must ask permission," responded the child with
an apprehensive glance behind her to see if her escort were arriving.
"What--what is your name?"

"Forgotten this soon? I told you Zeke."

"I thought you did, but your mother said it was something very
different."

"Ezekiel, perhaps."

"Yes, that's it. I won't forget again. How many horses has grandpa?"

"Two here, but I guess he's