What a way to be sociable!" gasped the child. "Well, wouldn't you
rather be nice, so people will like to get close to you?"

"Depends on the folks," returned the boy with a touch of his usual
manner. "You're all right, little kid." He put out his hand, but quickly
withdrew it.

Jewel seized it. "Now give your other one to your mother. There now,
we're all together. If your mother thinks you have a disease, Zeke, then
she must know you haven't. If you want me to, I'll come out here every
day at a quiet time and give you a treatment, and we'll talk all about
Christian Science, and we'll know that there's nothing that can make us
sick or unhappy--or unkind! Think of your unkindness to your mother--and
to me if you go on, for I love you, Zeke. Now _may_ I help you?"

The soft frank voice, the earnest little face, moved Zeke to cast a
glance at his mother's swollen eyes. They were bent upon Jewel.

"Do you say your father was cured that way, child?" asked Mrs. Forbes.

"Yes. Oh yes! and he's so happy!"

"Zeke, let's all be thankful if there's _anything_," said the woman
tremulously, turning to him appealingly.

"I'd just as soon have a visit from you every day, little kid," said the
young fellow. "You're a corker."

"But you must want more than me," returned the child. "God and healing
and purity and goodness! If you're in earnest, what are you going to do
with that?" She touched the black bottle with the toe of her shoe.

Zeke looked at the whiskey, then back into her eyes. They were full of
love and faith for him.

He stooped and picked up the bottle, then striding to a window, he flung
it out toward the forest trees with all the force of his strong arm.

"Damn the stuff!" he said.

Mrs. Forbes felt herself tremble from head to foot. She bit her lip.

Her son turned back. "Getting near train time," he added, not looking at
his companions. "Guess I'll go upstairs."

When he had disappeared his mother stooped slowly and kissed Jewel.
"Forgive me," she said tremulously.

"What for?" asked the child.

"Everything."

The housekeeper still stood in the harness room after Jewel had gone
away. She bowed her head on her folded hands. "Our Father who art in
heaven, forgive me," she prayed. "Forgive me for being a fool. Forgive
me for not recognizing Thine angel whom Thou hast sent. Amen."

CHAPTER XXIII

MRS. EVRINGHAM'S CALLER

Mrs. Evringham was busily chewing the cud of sweet fancies only, that
aftern