Mr. Evringham's long legs and her short skipping ones lost no time in boarding the train, which they found made up. The relieved man saw the conductor, paid the child's fare, and settled her on the plush seat.
She sat there, contentedly swinging her feet.
"Now I can just catch a boat if I leave you immediately," said Mr. Evringham consulting his watch. "You've only a little more than five minutes to wait before the train starts."
"Very well. Your fare is paid, and the conductor understands. You might ask somebody, though. Bel-Air, you know. Good-by."
Hastily he strode down the aisle and left the train. Having to pass the window beside which Jewel sat, he glanced up with a half uneasy memory of how far short of the floor her feet had swung.
She was watching for him. On her lips was the sweet gay smile and--yes, there was no mistake--Anna Belle's countenance was beaming through the glass, and she was wafting kisses to Mr. Evringham from a stiff and chubby hand. The stockbroker grew warm, cleared his throat, lifted his hat, and hurried his pace.
When her grandfather had disappeared, Jewel placed Anna Belle on the seat beside her, where she toed in, in a state of the utmost complacence.
"I have my work to do, Anna Belle," she said, "and this will be a good time, so don't disturb me till the train starts." She put her hand over her eyes, and sat motionless as the people met and jostled in the aisle.
Minutes passed, and then some one brushed the child's arm in taking the seat beside her. "Oh, please don't sit on Anna Belle!" she cried suddenly, and looked up into a pair of clear eyes that were regarding her with curiosity.
They belonged to a man with a brown mustache and dark, short, pointed beard, who carried a small square black case and had altogether a very clean, fresh, agreeable appearance.
"Do I look like a person who would sit on Anna Belle?" he asked gravely.
The doll was enthroned upon his knee as he set down his case, and the train started.
"If she annoys you I'll take her," said Jewel, with a little air of motherliness not lost upon her companion.
"Thank you," he replied, "but I'm used to children. She looks like a fine, healthy little girl," keeping his eyes fixed on the doll's rosy cheeks.