She rose and stood a moment, turning hesitatingly from her aunt to her cousin.

“Oh, is it bedtime?” asked aunt Madge, looking up from her letter.  “Good-night, Julia.  I hope you’ll sleep well.”  Then she returned to her writing.

Eloise bit her lip as she regarded the little girl with a moment’s hesitation, but no, she had decided on her plan of action.  Mrs. Forbes was observing her.  Eloise knew the housekeeper’s attitude toward them was defensive, if not offensive.  “Good-night,” she said briefly, and looked down again.

“Good-night,” returned Jewel quietly, and went out.

In the hall she hesitated.  “I want to say good-night to grandpa,” she said.

“Well, you can’t,” returned Mrs. Forbes decidedly.  “He is talking business and mustn’t be disturbed.”

She followed the child up the staircase.

“I could go to bed alone, if I only knew where the matches are.”

“You said you could dress alone, but you had to ask Mrs. Evringham to button your frock.  Remember after this that I am the one to ask.  She and Miss Eloise don’t want to be bothered.”

“Is it a bother to do a kindness?” asked Jewel in a subdued tone.

“To some folks it is,” was the response.  They had reached the door of the child’s room; “but some folks can see their duty and do it,” she added virtuously.

Jewel realized regretfully that her present companion belonged to the latter class.

“Now here, right inside the door,” proceeded Mrs. Forbes, “is the switch.  There’s electricity all over this house, and you don’t need any matches.  See?” Mrs. Forbes turned the switch and the white room was flooded with light.

A few hours ago this magic would have evoked much enthusiasm.  Even now Jewel was pleased to turn the light on and off several times, as Mrs. Forbes told her to do.

“Now I’ll see if you can undress yourself,” said the housekeeper.  Jewel’s deft fingers flew over the buttons in her eagerness to prove her independence.  When at last she stood in her little white nightgown, so neat and fine in its small decorations, Mrs. Forbes said, “Do you want me to hear you say your prayers?”

“No, I thank you.”  With her hasty response Jewel promptly jumped into the bed, from which the white spread had been removed.

“I hope you always say them,” said Mrs. Forbes, regarding her undecidedly.

“Yes’m, I always do.”

The child cuddled down under the covers with her face to the wall, lest Mrs. Forbes should see a further duty and do it.

“You ought to say them on your knees,” continued the housekeeper.

“I’d just as lief,” replied Jewel, “but I don’t believe God cares.”

“Well,” returned Mrs. Forbes solemnly, “it is a matter for your own conscience, Julia, if your mother didn’t train you to it.  Good-night.”

“Good-night,” came faintly from beneath the bedclothes.