a cosy hour. We will have some music."

"Don't tempt me. I have an office hour awaiting me. I came principally
to see this little girl."

Jewel had leaned back in her chair and was watching his bright face
expectantly.

"I'm glad of it," rejoined Mrs. Evringham devoutly. "I distrust these
sudden recoveries, Dr. Ballard. Do make very sure that she hasn't one of
those lingering, treacherous fevers. I've heard of such things."

Dr. Ballard's eyes laughed into those of his little neighbor. "She
doesn't look the part," he returned.

Jewel gave a glance around the table. "Will you excuse me?" she said
politely, then she reached up to the doctor's ear.

"Shall I go and get my money?" she whispered.

He shook his head. "No," he replied in a low tone. "I came to thank you
very much for your note, and to tell you that you don't owe me anything.
I'm not usually a 'no cure, no pay' doctor. I take the money anyway, but
this time I'm going to make an exception."

"Why?" asked Jewel, speaking aloud as long as he did.

"Well, you see, you didn't take the medicine. That makes a difference.
Most people take it."

"Ye--es," rejoined Jewel rather doubtfully. She was not sure of this
logic.

"So now we're perfectly square," went on the doctor, "but don't you fall
ill again." He shook his head at her. "I want us to remain friends."

"We'd always be friends, wouldn't we?" returned Jewel, smiling into his
laughing eyes.

"When is our golf coming off, Miss Eloise?" he asked, looking across the
table again.

"When the weather permits," she responded graciously.

"I guess that's going to be all right," commented Mrs. Forbes mentally.
"She's as pretty as a painting with that rose on, and her mother looks
as contented as a cat with her paw on a mouse. She don't mean to play
with that mouse, either. She won't run any risks. She'll take it right
in. You're pretty near done for, my young feller, and your eyes look
willing, I must say."

The spring rain proved to be a protracted storm. Mr. Evringham made his
hours long in the city. Eloise came up to Jewel's room each morning
and read the lesson with her, always reading on to herself after it was
finished. She made the child tell her of the circumstances of her recent
illness and cure, and listened to Jewel's affectionate comments on Dr.
Ballard's kindness with an inscrutable expression which did not satisfy
the child.

"You love him, don't you?" asked the little girl.

Eloise ga