CHAPTER XII
THE TELEGRAM
Mrs. Forbes entered Jewel's room after speaking with the doctor. Thelittle girl looked at her eagerly. A plan had formed in her mind whichdepended for its success largely on the housekeeper's complaisance, andshe wished to propitiate her.
"I want to fix it so you can call me when you need anything, Julia," shesaid. "The doctor has told you about taking the medicine, and here is alittle clock I'm going to put on your table right by the bed, and I'vebrought up a bell. I shall leave the farther door open so the sound ofthis bell will go right down the backstairs, and one of us will come upwhenever you ring. Dr. Ballard says it's best for you to be quiet."
"Yes'm," replied Jewel. "Do you think, Mrs. Forbes--would it be too muchtrouble--would he have time--could I see Jeremiah just a few minutes?"
"See who?"
"Jeremiah--the gentleman who lives with the horses."
"Do you mean my son Ezekiel?"
"Oh, yes'm. Ezekiel. I knew it was a prophet. He always speaks verykindly to me, and I like him. I wish I could see him just a fewminutes."
Mrs. Forbes was very much astonished and somewhat flattered. "It'swonderful, the fancy that child has taken to me and mine," she thought.
"Well, folks must be humored when they're sick," she replied. "Let mesee," looking at the little clock, "yes, Mr. Evringham's missed thesecond train. There'll be five or ten minutes yet, and 'Zekiel's got towait anyway. I guess he can come up and see you."
"Oh, thank you, Mrs. Forbes!" returned Jewel.
The housekeeper made her way out to the barn, where her son in hislivery was waiting and reading the paper.
"The doctor's gone, Zeke, and the child wants to see you."
"Me?" returned the coachman in surprise. "Why the bully little kid!"
"Yes, come and be quick. There won't be much time. You watch the clockthat's side of her bed, and don't you be late."
'Zekiel followed with alacrity. His mother, starting him up thebackstairs, gave him directions how to go, and remained below.
Jewel, her eyes fixed on the open back door of her room, felt a leapof the heart as Zeke, fine in his handsome livery, came blushing andtiptoeing into the room.
"I'm so glad, I'm so glad!" she exclaimed in her soft, thick voice."Shut the door, please."
"I told you to remember you'd only got to say 'Zeke' and I'd come," hesaid, approaching the bed. "I'm awful sorry you're sick, little kid."
"Did you ever hear of Christian Science, Zeke?" she asked hurriedly.
"Yes, I did. Woman I knew in Boston cured of half a dozen things. Sheheld that Christian Science did it."
"Oh, good, good. I'm a Christian Scientist, and nobody here is, and Iwant to send a telegram to Chicago, to a lady to treat me. Nobody woulddo it for me but you. _Will_ you?"
It would have taken a hard heart to resist the appeal, and Zeke's wassoft.
"Of course I will," he answered. "Going right to the station now to takeMr. Evringham. I can send it as well as not."
"Get some paper, Zeke, in the top bureau drawer. There's a pencil on thebureau."
He obeyed, and she gave him an address which he wrote down. "Now this:'Please treat me for fever and sore throat. Jewel.'"
Zeke wrote the message and tucked it into a pocket.
"Now please get my leather bag in the drawer," said the child, "and takeout money enough."
The young fellow hesitated. "If you haven't got plenty of money"--hebegan.
"I have. You'll see. Oh, Zeke, you've made me so happy!"
The coachman's clumsy hands fumbled with the clasp of the little bag.
"I can do it," said Jewel, and he brought it to her and watched herwhile she took out the money and gave it to him. He took a coin,returned the rest to the bag, and snapped it.
"Say, little girl," he said uneasily, "you look to me like a doctor'd doyou a whole lot o' good."
Jewel gazed at him in patient wonder.
"Who made the doctor?" she asked.
Zeke stood on one foot and then on the other.
"God did, and you know it, Zeke. He's the one to go to in trouble."
"But you're going to that Chicago woman," objected Zeke.
"Yes, because she'll go to God for me. I'm being held down by somethingthat pretends to have power, and though I know it's an old cheat, Ihaven't understanding enough to get rid of it as quickly as she will.You see, I wouldn't have been taken sick if I hadn't believed in a lieinstead of denying it. We have to watch our thoughts every minute, and Itell you, Zeke, sometimes it seems real hard work."
"Should say so," returned 'Zekiel. "The less you think the better, Ishould suppose, if that's the case. I've got to be going now."
"And you'll send the telegram _surely_, and you won't speak of it to anyone?"
"Mum's the word, and I'll send it if it's the last act; but don't putall your eggs in one basket, little kid. I know Dr. Ballard's been here,and now you do everything he said, like a good girl, and between the twoof 'em they ought to fix you up. I'd pin more faith to a doctor in thehand than to one in the bush a thousand miles away, if 't was _me_."
Jewel smiled on him from heavy eyes. "Did you ever hear of God's needingany help?" she asked. "I'll never forget your being so kind to me,never, Zeke; and when error melts away I'm coming out to the stable withgrandpa. He said I should. Good-by."
As soon as the plum-colored livery had disappeared Jewel drew herselfup, took the water pitcher between her hot little hands, and drank longand deeply. Then with a sigh of satisfaction she turned over in bed anddrew Anna Belle close to her.
"Just see, dearie," she murmured, "how we are always taken care of!"
Mrs. Evringham saw Dr. Ballard's buggy drive away and lost no time indiscovering who had needed his services.
"It's the child," she announced, returning to Eloise's room.
"Poor little thing," returned the girl, rising.
"Where are you going? Stay right where you are. She has a high fever,and they're not sure yet what it may be. Mrs. Forbes is doing everythingthat is necessary. Father has waited over two trains. He hasn't gone tothe city yet."
At the mention of Mr. Evringham Eloise sank back in her chair.
"Dr. Ballard is coming again toward evening," continued Mrs. Evringham,"and I shall talk with him and find out just the conditions. Mrs.Forbes is very unsatisfactory, but I can see that she thinks it may besomething infectious."
Eloise lifted a suddenly hopeful face. "Then you would wish to leave atonce?" she said.
"Not at all. Father would surely hear to reason and send the child tothe hospital. They are models of comfort in these days, and it is theonly proper place for people to be ill. I shall speak to Dr. Ballardabout it to-night."
As soon as Eloise had seen her grandfather drive to the station sheeluded her mother, and gathering her white negligee about her, wentsoftly up to Jewel's room and stood at the closed door. All was still.She opened the door stealthily. With all her care it creaked a little.Still no sound from within. She looked toward the bed, saw the flushedface of the child and that she was asleep, so she withdrew as quietly.
During the day she inquired of Mrs. Forbes if she could be of anyservice, but the housekeeper received the suggestion with curt respect,assuring her that Dr. Ballard had said Jewel would sleep a good deal,and should not be disturbed.
Mrs. Evringham overheard the question and welcomed the reply withrelief.
Jewel ate the bread and fruit and milk that Mrs. Forbes gave her for herlate lunch, and said that she felt better.
"You look so," returned the housekeeper. The child had not once calledher upstairs during the morning. She certainly was as little trouble asa sick child could be.
"If 't was anybody else," mused Mrs. Forbes, regarding her, "I shouldsay that she sensed the situation and knew she'd brought it on herselfand me, and was trying to make up for it; but nobody can tell what shethinks. Her eyes do look more natural. I guess Dr. Ballard's a goodone."
"It don't seem to hurt you to swallow now," remarked Mrs. Forbes.
"No'm, it doesn't, she answered.
"Now then, you see how foolish and naughty it was the way you behavedabout having the doctor this morning. Look how much better you arealready!"
"Yes'm, I love Dr. Ballard."
"You well may. He's done well by you." Mrs. Forbes took the tray. "Nowdo you feel like going to sleep again? The doctor won't come till aboutsix o'clock. Your fever'll rise toward evening, and that's the time hewants to see you. I shall sleep in the spare room next you to-night."
"Thank you, Mrs. Forbes. You are so kind; but you won't have to,"replied the child earnestly. "Would you please draw up the curtainsand put Anna Belle's clothes on the bed? Perhaps I'll dress her after awhile. It doesn't seem fair to make her stay in bed when it wasn't hererror."
"I don't think you'd better keep your arms out," returned Mrs. Forbesdecidedly. "I'll put up the curtains, but when you come to try to doanything you'll find you are very weak. You can ring the bell when youwant to, you know. And don't take your medicine again for an hour aftereating. I'd take another nap right away if I was you."
When she had gone out, Jewel shook her head at the doll, whose face wassmiling toward her own. "You denied it, didn't you, dearie, the minuteshe said it," she whispered. "Error is using Mrs. Forbes to hold meunder mortal mind laws, but it can't be so, because God doesn't want it,and I'm not afraid any more."
Jewel put her hand under her pillow and drew out the two slips of paperthat bore her mother's messages. These she read through several times."Of course there are more, Anna Belle. I shouldn't wonder if there wasone in every pocket, but I don't mean to hunt. Divine love will sendthem to me just when I need them, the way He did these. I'm sorry Ican't dress you, dearie, because you've just reflected love all thetime, and ought not to be in bed at all; but I must obey, you know, sothere won't be discord. I'd love to just hop up and get your clothes,but you'll forgive me for not, I know."
Again Jewel put her hand under her pillow and drew forth her copy of"Science and Health." "I'll read to you a little, dearie." She openedthe book to page 393 and read, "Rise in the strength of Spirit to resistall that is unlike God." Jewel paused and thought for a minute. "Youmight think, Anna Belle, that that meant rise against Mrs. Forbes, butit doesn't. It means rise against all error, and one error is believingthat Mrs. Forbes is cross or afraid." She went on reading for severalminutes, passing glibly over familiar phrases and sticking at orskipping words which presented difficulties.
While she was thus employed Eloise again stole quietly to her cousin'sdoor, and hearing the soft voice she grew pale. Her mother had exacteda promise from her that she would not enter the room until Dr. Ballardconsented, so after a minute's hesitation she fled downstairs and foundMrs. Forbes.
"I think the little girl must be worse! She is talking to herselfincessantly."
Mrs. Forbes regarded the pale face coldly. "I guess there's somemistake. She was better when I saw her half an hour ago. I'll go up in aminute."
The minute stretched to five; Jewel had slept scarcely at all the nightbefore, and by the time the housekeeper had laboriously reached herdoor, her voice had grown fainter, then stopped, and she was soundasleep.
"I wish Mamzell would keep her finger out of this pie," soliloquizedMrs. Forbes as she retraced her steps.
When Mr. Evringham returned from the city, his first question, as Zekemet him, was concerning Jewel.
"Mother says she's slept the most of the day," replied the coachman, hishead stiff in his high collar and his eyes looking straight ahead.
"H'm. A good sign does she think, or is it stupor?"
"I couldn't say, sir."
Reaching the house, a long pasteboard box in his hands, Mr. Evringhamfound that his grandchild was still asleep.
"I fear the worst, Mrs. Forbes," he said with nervous curtness. "When astupor attacks children it is a very bad sign I am told. I'll just ringup Ballard."
He did so, but the doctor had gone out and was intending to call at thepark before he returned.
"I really think it is all right, Mr. Evringham," said Mrs. Forbes,distressed by her employer's uneasiness. "Dr. Ballard expected she'dsleep a great deal. He told me not to disturb her."
"Oh, very well then, perhaps it is not to be regretted. Kindly put thoseroses in the deep vase, Mrs. Forbes."
"Yes, sir." She took up the box. "Besides, Mr. Evringham, if she doesget worse, you know the hospital here is one of the very best, andyou"--
Mr. Evringham wheeled and frowned upon the speaker fiercely. "Hospital!"he ejaculated. "An extraordinary suggestion, Mrs. Forbes! Mostextraordinary! My granddaughter remains in my house."
Mrs. Forbes, crimson with surprise and mortification, retreated. "Verywell, sir," she faltered. "Will you have the roses on the dinner table,Mr. Evringham?"
"No. Set them here on my desk if you please." With this Mr. Evringhambegan walking up and down the floor, pausing once to take up the yellowchicken. During the day the soft moan, "I wanted you so all night,grandpa," had been ringing in his ears.
"Mrs. Forbes has no understanding of the child," he muttered, "and ofcourse I cannot expect anything from the cat and her kitten."
With this he began again his promenade. Mrs. Forbes returned with theroses, and simultaneously Mr. Evringham saw Essex Maid arching her neckas she picked her steps past the window.
"By the way," he said curtly, "let Zeke take the Maid back to the barn.I'll not ride to-day."
"It's very fine weather, sir," protested Mrs. Forbes.
"I'll not ride. I'll wait here for Dr. Ballard."
The housekeeper went forth to give the order.
"I never saw Mr. Evringham so upset in my life," she said in anawestruck tone.
"I saw the governor wasn't real comfortable," returned the boy. "Guesshe's afraid he's goin' to catch the mumps or something. It would be realharrowin' if he got any worse case of big head than he's got already."
Mr. Evringham was little accustomed to waiting, and by the time Dr.Ballard appeared, his nervousness had become painful. "The child's slepttoo much, I'm sure of it, Ballard," was his greeting. "I don't know whatwe're going to find up there, I declare I don't."
"It depends on whether it's a good sleep," returned the doctor, and hiscomposed face and manner acted at once beneficially upon Mr. Evringham.
"Well, you'll know, Guy, you'll know, my boy. Mrs. Forbes saw youcoming, and she has gone upstairs to prepare the little girl. She'll beglad to see you this time, I'll wager."
The broker, roses in hand, ascended the staircase after the physician.Mrs. Forbes was standing at the foot of the bed, and the room waspleasantly light as they entered. Jewel, the flush of sleep on hercheeks, was looking expectantly toward the door. Dr. Ballard came infirst and she smiled in welcome, then Mr. Evringham appeared, heavyroses nodding in all directions before him.
"Grandpa!" exclaimed the child. "Why, grandpa, did _you_ come?"
There was no mistaking the joy in her tone. Dr. Ballard paused insurprise, while the stockbroker approached the bed.
"I brought you a few flowers, Jewel," he said, while she pressed hisdisengaged hand against her cheek.
"They're the most lovely ones I ever saw," she returned with conviction."They make me happy just to look at them."
"Well, Jewel," said the doctor, "I hear you've been making up forlost sleep in great shape." His eyes, as he spoke, were taking in withconcentrated interest the signs in her face. He came and sat beside thebed, while Mr. Evringham fell back and Mrs. Forbes regarded the childcritically.
"Well, now, you're a good little patient," went on the doctor, as henoted the clear eyes.
"Yes, Dr. Ballard, I feel just as nice as can be," she answered.
"No thickness in the voice. I fancy that sore throat is better." Theyoung doctor could not repress his smile of satisfaction. "I was certainthat was the right attenuation," he thought. "Now let us see."
He took out the little th
ermometer, and Jewel submitted to having itslipped beneath her tongue.
As Dr. Ballard leaned back in his chair to wait, he looked up at Mr.Evringham. "It is very gratifying," he said, "to find these conditionsat this hour of the day. I felt a little more uneasy this morning than Iconfessed." He nodded in satisfactory thought. "I grant you medicine isnot an exact science, it is an art, an art. You can't prescribe by hardand fast rules. You must take into consideration the personal equation."
Presently he leaned forward and removed the thermometer. His eyes smiledas he read it, and he lifted it toward Mr. Evringham.
"I can't see it, boy."
"Well, there's nothing to see. She hasn't a particle of temperature.Look here, little one," frowning at Jewel, "if everybody recovered asquickly as you have, where would we doctors be?"
Turning again and addressing Mr. Evringham, he went on, "I'mparticularly interested in this result because that is a remedy overwhich there has been some altercation. There's one man to whom I shallbe glad to relate this experience." The doctor leaned toward hislittle patient. "Jewel, I'm not so surprised as I might be at yourimprovement," he said kindly. "You will have to excuse me for a littlerighteous deception. I put medicine into that glass of water, and nowyou're glad I did, aren't you? I'd like you to tell me, little girl, asnear as you can, how often you took it?"
"I didn't take it," replied the child.
Dr. Ballard drew back a little. "You mean," he said after a moment, "youtook it only once?"
"No, sir, I didn't take it at all."
There was a silence, during which all could hear the ticking of theclock on the table, and the three pairs eyes were fixed on Jewel withsuch varying expressions of amazement and disapproval that the child'sbreath began to come faster.
"Didn't you drink any of the water?" asked Dr. Ballard at last.
"Yes, out of the pitcher."
"Why not out of the glass?"
"It didn't look enough. I was so thirsty."
They could not doubt her.
Mr. Evringham finally found his voice.
"Jewel, why didn't you obey the doctor?" His eyes and voice were soserious that she stretched out her arm.
"Oh, grandpa," she said, "please let me take hold of your hand."
"No, not till you answer me. Little girls should be obedient."
Jewel thought a minute.
"He said it wasn't medicine, so what was the use?" she asked.
Mr. Evringham, seeming to find an answer to this difficult, bit the endof his mustache.
Dr. Ballard was feeling his very ears grow red, while Mrs. Forbes's lipswere set in a line of exasperation.
"Grandpa," said Jewel, and the child's voice was very earnest, "there'sa Bible over there on the table. You look in there in the Gospels, andyou'll find everywhere how Jesus tells us to do what I've done. He saidhe must go away, but he would send the Comforter to us, and this booktells about the Comforter." Jewel took the copy of "Science and Health"from under the sheet.
"God's creation couldn't get sick. It's just His own image and likeness,so how could it? And when you can get right into God's love, what do youwant of medicine to swallow? God wouldn't be omnipotent if He needed anyhelp. You see I'm well. Isn't that all you want, grandpa?"
The appeal of her eyes caused the broker to stir undecidedly. "I neverdid have any use for doctors," he thought, after the manner of many who,nevertheless, are eager to fly to the brotherhood for help at the firstsuggestion of pain. Moreover, the humor of the situation was beginningto dawn upon him, and he admired the fine temper and self-control withwhich the young physician pulled himself together and rose.
"_I_ am glad you are well, Jewel, very," he said; "but the next time Iam called to prescribe for a little Christian Scientist I shall putthe pellets on her tongue." He smiled as he took up his case and saidgood-by.
Mr. Evringham followed him down the stairs, heroically resisting theimpulse to laugh. Only one remark he allowed himself as he bade thedoctor good-by.
"You're quite right, Ballard, in your theory. Jewel has been here onlythree days, but I could have told you that in doing anything whateverfor her, it is always absolutely necessary to consider the personalequation."
Jewel: A Chapter in Her Life Page 14