left alone,
swaying up and down on the lapping water, in the salt, sunny breeze, while
the JEWEL pulled at the mooring as if eager to try its snowy wings; and
happy were the grateful, prayerful thoughts that swelled her heart.

CHAPTER XVII

THE BIRTHDAY

One stormy evening Harry Evringham blew into the farmhouse, wet from his
drive from the station, and was severally hugged, kissed, and shaken by the
three who waited eagerly to receive him. The month that ensued was perhaps
the happiest that had ever come into the lives of either of the quartette;
certainly it was the happiest period to the married pair who had waited ten
years for their wedding trip.

The days were filled with rowing, sailing, swimming, riding, driving,
picnics, walks, talks, and _dolce far niente_ evenings, when the wind was
still and the moon silvered field and sea.

The happy hours were winged, the goldenrod strewed the land with sunshine,
and August slipped away.

One morning when Jewel awoke it was with a sensation that the day was
important. She looked over at Anna Belle and shook her gently. "Wake up,
dearie," she said. "'Green pastures are before me,' it's my birthday."

But Anna Belle, who certainly looked very pretty in her sleep, and perhaps
suspected it, seemed unable to overcome her drowsiness until Jewel set her
up against the pillow, when her eyes at once flew open and she appeared
ready for sociability.

"Do you remember Gladys on her birthday morning, dearie? She couldn't
think of anything she wanted, and I'm almost like her. Grandpa's given me
my boat, that's his birthday present; and mother says she should think it
was enough for ten birthdays, and so should I. Poor grandpa! In ten
birthdays I'll be nineteen, and then he says I'll have to cry on his
shoulder instead of into his vest. But grandpa's such a joker! Of course
grown-up ladies hardly ever cry. If father and mother have anything for me,
I'll be just delighted; but I can't think what I want. I have the
darlingest pony in the world, and the dearest Little Faithful watch, and
the best boat that was ever built, and I rowed father quite a long way
yesterday all alone, and I didn't splash much, but he caught hold of the
side of the boat and pretended he was afraid"--Jewel's laughter gurgled
forth at the remembrance--"he's such a joker; and I do understand the sail,
too, but they won't let me do it alone yet. Father says he can see in my
eye that I should love to