business
commences."

"Why didn't she tell me last evening?" asked Mr. Evringham.

"I _think_," returned Jewel, "that she wanted father so _much_--and--and
that she thought perhaps you wouldn't think it was best, and--well, I think
she felt a little bashful. You know mother isn't your real relation,
grandpa," the child's head fell to one side apologetically.

Mr. Evringham stroked his mustache; but instantly he turned grave again.
His eyes met Jewel's.

"I think, as you say, it would be rather a convenience to us if your mother
had some one to play with, too. Suppose we send for him, eh?"

"Oh, let's," cried the child joyfully.

"Done with you!" returned the broker, and he gave the rein to Essex Maid.
Star had suddenly so much ado to gallop along beside her, that Jewel's
laugh rang out merrily.

When, a little later, the family met in the dining-room for breakfast, Mr.
Evringham accosted his daughter cheerfully:

"Well, this is good news I hear about Harry."

Julia flushed and met his eyes wistfully. The broker had never seen any
resemblance in Jewel to her until this moment; but it was precisely the
child's expression that now returned his look.

"It's my boy she wants, too," he thought. "By George, she shall have him."

"I wasn't sure that you would think it was good news for Harry to give up
his position so soon, but there wasn't any other honest way," she replied.

"The sooner the break is made, the better," returned Mr. Evringham. "I
shall wire him to close up everything at once and join us as soon as he
can."

Mother and child exchanged a happy look and Jewel clapped her hands.
"Father's coming, father's coming!" she cried joyfully.

The broker bent his brows upon her.

"Jewel, are you strictly honorable?" he asked.

"I don't know," returned the little girl.

"You said a few minutes ago that it was a playfellow for your mother that
you wanted. Your enthusiasm is unseemly."

"Oh, father's just splendid," said Jewel.

After breakfast the three repaired to a certain covered piazza where they
always read the lesson for the day; then Mr. Evringham suggested that they
go promptly to the beach to see the splendid show before the rollers
regained their usual monotonous dignity.

"Jewel and I thought we would go over in the boat instead of through the
fields, but that old tub is rather uninviting for a lady's clothes."

"I think I will take the solitary saunter in preference," returned Mrs.
Evring