“In one minute,” put in Mr. Evringham.  “She and I wish your opinion of something first.”

He disappeared for a moment into the house and came back with a flat package which Jewel watched with curious eyes while he untied the string.

Silently he placed a photograph in his daughter’s lap while the child leaned eagerly beside her.

“Why, why, how good!” exclaimed Mrs. Evringham, and Jewel’s eyes glistened.

“Isn’t grandpa’s nose just splendid!” she said fervently.

“Why, father, this picture will be a treasure,” went on Julia.  Color had risen in her face.

The photograph showed Jewel standing beside her grandfather seated, and her arm was about his neck.  It was such a natural attitude that she had taken it while waiting for the photographer to be ready.  The daisy-wreathed hat hung from her hand, and she had not known when the picture was taken.  It was remarkably lifelike, and the broker regarded it with a satisfaction none the less keen because he let the others do all the talking.

“And now we don’t need it, grandpa,” said the child.

“Oh, indeed we do!” exclaimed the mother; and Jewel, catching her grandfather’s eyes, lifted her shoulders.  What did her mother know of their secret!

Mr. Evringham smoothed his mustache.  “No harm to have it, Jewel,” he replied, nodding at her.  “No harm; a very good plan, in fact; for I suppose, even to oblige me, you can’t refrain from growing up.  And next we must get Star’s picture, with you on his back.”

“But you weren’t on Essex Maid’s,” objected Jewel.

“We’ll have it taken both ways, then.  It’s best always to be on the safe side.”

From this day on there was no more chance for Jewel to hear a tale in the Story Book, until the move to the seashore was accomplished, for hot weather had evidently come to stay in Bel-Air Park.  Mrs. Evringham felt loath to leave its green, still loveliness and her large shady rooms; but the New Jerseyite’s heat panic had seized upon her father-in-law, and he pushed forward the preparations for flight.

“I can’t pity you for remaining here,” Julia said to Mrs. Forbes on the morning of departure.

“No, ma’am, you don’t need to,” returned the housekeeper.  “Zeke and I are going off on trips, and we, calculate to have a pretty good time of it.  I’ve been wanting to speak to you, Mrs. Evringham, about a business matter,” continued Mrs. Forbes, her manner indicating that she had constrained herself to make an effort.  “Mr. Evringham tells me you and Mr. Harry are to make your home with him.  It’s a good plan,” emphatically, “as right as right can be; for what he would do without Jewel isn’t easy to think of; but it’s given me a lot to consider.  I won’t be necessary here any more,” the housekeeper tried to conceal what the statement cost her.  She endeavored to continue, but could not, and Julia saw that she did not trust her voice.