"I thought it wouldn't injure your conscience to wait for me while Imade a couple of professional visits,Jewel,eh?"he asked,as he jumped out and fastened Hector to the ring in the hand of a bronze boy."I won't be any longer than I can help,and don't you go to hoodooing me,now,while I'm upstairs."The doctor returned to the buggy and took the black case,frowning warningly at the child."Ihave troubles enough here without that.This old lady used to trot me on her knee,and she wants to spend half an hour every morning proving that doctors don't know anything before she'll let me get to business.""It must be hard for doctors,"returned Jewel,"going to sorry people all the time,and nothing to give them except something on their tongues."Dr.Ballard gave his small companion a quick glance.If he secretly considered her beliefs as too richly absurd to excite aught but amusement,she evidently as honestly compassionated the poverty of ideas in his learned profession.
"Well,I'll hurry,"he said,and vanished within the house.Time would not have dragged for Jewel had he stayed all the morning.To sit in the shining buggy in close proximity to the dappled gray Hector,and with Anna Belle for a sympathizer,caused the minutes to be winged.
When the doctor returned,a radiant face welcomed him.
"I thought I should never get away,"he sighed,"but you don't look bored."He untied the horse,jumped into the buggy,and they were off again,Hector striding along as if to make up for lost time."Now only one more call,Jewel,and then we'll get back out of the dust again,"said the doctor cheerily.
"I haven't noticed any dust,Dr.Ballard.I'm having the most fun!""Well now,I'm glad of that.It's a great thing to be eight years old,Jewel.""That's what cousin Eloise says.She says she'd like to be.""Indeed?How is the enchanting--excuse me--I mean the enchanted maiden this morning?""She's well.She ties my bows now,so grandpa doesn't have to.""Ties your--"The doctor looked at the speaker,mystified.
Jewel put her hand up to the small billows of silk behind her ear."My hair bows.They were real hard for grandpa to do."Dr.Ballard repressed a guffaw,and then turned solemn."Do you mean to say that Mr.Evringham tied your hair ribbons?""Why yes."
"That settles it,Jewel.You must go into partnership with me and wave wands and things.Setting Essex Maid on her legs wasn't a patch on that."Jewel regarded him questioningly a moment and then repeated,"But it was real hard for grandpa.""I can believe it!"
"And cousin Eloise is the kindest girl.She's like grandpa about that.
Her kindness is inside,too."
"Is it indeed?You don't know how much I thank you for telling me where to look for it.""Oh,she must be kind to you,Dr.Ballard!""Once in a while,once in a while,"he replied cautiously,but Jewel couldn't get a look into his eyes,though she tried,he was so busily engaged poking an invisible fly from Hector's side with the point of the whip."If you'll find a way to make her kind to me all the time,Jewel,then you will be my mascot indeed.""All you have to do is to know she is,"replied the child earnestly.
"I felt the way you do,at first,but now I've found out just because I stopped being afraid.""Ah,that's the recipe,eh?All I've to do is to stop being afraid.""That's all!"cried Jewel,beaming at his ready comprehension."You'll find out there isn't a thing to be afraid of with Cousin Eloise,and oh,Dr.Ballard,"the child smiled at him wistfully,"she's getting so --so--unenchanted.""You just waved your wand,I suppose,and said 'Presto change,'"returned the young man.
He turned Hector down a side street and drew rein under a large elm.
"Here's my rheumatic gentleman,"he added,as he jumped from the buggy and fastened the horse."He won't keep me waiting while he abuses doctors,so I shan't be quite so long this time."The speaker seized his case and went up a garden path to the house,and Jewel,with a luxurious sigh,set Anna Belle in the place he had vacated.
