"Scott was here.We had two or three little friendly drinks.Ma had to come in and blubber.""What friendly drinks?What do you mean?"demanded Jewel,looking all about her.Her eyes fell upon a large black bottle.She dropped the coachman's hand and picked it up.She smelled of it,her eyes dilated,and she began to tremble again;and throwing the whiskey from her,she buried her face for a moment against Zeke's shirt sleeve.
"Is it in a bottle!"she exclaimed at last,in a hushed voice,drawing back and regarding the coachman with such a white and horrified countenance that it frightened the clouds from his brain."Is that terrible claim in a bottle,and do people drink it out?"she asked slowly,and in an awestruck tone.
"It's no harm,"began Zeke.
"No harm when your mother is crying,when your face is full of error,and your eyes were hating?No harm when my mother cried,and all our gladness was gone?Would you go and drink a claim like that out of a bottle--of your own accord?"Zeke wriggled under the blue eyes and the unnatural rigidity of the child's face.
"No,Jewel,he wouldn't,"groaned Mrs.Forbes suddenly."Zeke's a good boy,but he's inherited that.His father died of it.It's a disease,child.I thought my boy would escape,but he hasn't!It's the end!"cried the wretched woman."What will Mr.Evringham say!To think how Iblamed Fanshaw!Zeke'll lose his place and go downhill,and I shall die of shame and despair."Her sobs again shook her from head to foot.
Jewel continued to look at Zeke.A new,eager expression stole over her face."Isit the end?"she asked."Don't you believe in God?""I suppose so,"answered the coachman sullenly."I know I'm a man,too.I can control myself.""No.Nobody can.Even Jesus said,'Of myself I can do nothing.'Only God can help you.If you can drink that nasty smelling stuff,and get all red and rumply and sorry,then you need God the worst of anybody in Bel-Air.You look better now.It's just like a dream,the way you lifted up your face to me when I came in,and it wasa dream.I'll help you,Zeke.I'll show you how to find help."The child suddenly leaned toward the young fellow,and then retreated."I can't stand your breath!"she exclaimed,"and I like to get close to the people Ilove."
This seemed to touch Zeke.He blushed hotly."It's a darned shame,kid,"he returned sheepishly.
"Mrs.Forbes,come here,please,"said Jewel.The housekeeper had ceased crying,and was watching the pair.She saw that her boy's senses were clearer.She approached obediently,and when the child took her hand her own closed tightly upon the little fingers.
"Zeke,you're a big strong man and everybody likes you,"said Jewel earnestly."Isn't it better to stay that way than to drink out of a bottle,no matter howmuch you like it?""I don't like it so awfully,"returned Zeke protestingly."I like to be sociable with the boys,that's all.""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 mayI 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."
