household, and already its unanimous voice, after
the glimpses it had had of her mother during two days, was that it was no
wonder.

Even the signs of labor that appeared in Julia's pricked fingers made the
serenity of her happy face more charming to her father-in-law. She had
Jewel's own directness and simplicity, her appreciation and enjoyment of
all beauty, the child's own atmosphere of unexacting love and gratitude.
Every half hour that Mr. Evringham spent with her lessened his regret at
having burned his bridges behind him.

"Now, you mustn't be lonely here, Julia," he said, that evening at dinner.
"I have come to be known as something of a hermit by choice; but while
Madge and Eloise lived with me, I fancy they had a good many callers, and
they went out, to the mild degree that society smiles upon in the case of a
recent widow and orphan. They were able to manage their own affairs; but
you are a stranger in a strange land. If you desire society, give me a hint
and I will get it for you."

"Oh, no, father!" replied Julia, smiling. "There is nothing I desire less."

"Mother'll get acquainted with the people at church," said Jewel, "and I
know she'll love Mr. and Mrs. Reeves. They're grandpa's friends, mother."

"Yes," remarked Mr. Evringham, busy with his dinner, "some of the best
people in Bel-Air have gone over to this very strange religion of yours,
Julia. I shan't be quite so conspicuous in harboring two followers of the
faith as I should have been a few years ago."

"No, it is becoming quite respectable," returned Julia, with twinkling
eyes.

"Three, grandpa, you have three here," put in Jewel. "You didn't count
Zeke."

Mrs. Evringham looked up kindly at Mrs. Forbes, who stood by, as usual, in
her neat gown and apron.

"Zeke is really in for it, eh, Mrs. Forbes?" Mr. Evringham asked the
question without glancing up.

"Yes, sir, and I have no objection. I'm too grateful for the changes for
the better in the boy. If Jewel had persuaded him to be a fire worshiper I
shouldn't have lifted my voice. I'd have said to myself, 'What's a little
more fire here, so long as there'll be so much less hereafter.'"

Mrs. Evringham laughed and the broker shook his head. "Mrs. Forbes, Mrs.
Forbes, I'm afraid your orthodoxy is getting rickety," he said.

"How about your own, father?" asked Julia.

"Oh, I'm a passenger. You see, I know that Jewel will ask at the heavenly
gate if I can come in, and if they refuse, th