第3章

"Youseeifshedoesn\'t!"saidWesley。"Yougetupandcutitout，andsoonasElnoraisgoneI\'llgoafterKatemyself。She\'lltakewhatI\'llsaybetteralone。

Butshe\'llcome，andshe\'llhelpmakethedress。TheseotherthingsareourChristmasgiftstoElnora。She\'llnodoubtneedthemmorenowthanshewillthen，andwecangivethemjustaswell。That\'syours，andthisismine，orwhicheverwayyouchoose。"

Wesleyuntiedagoodbrownumbrellaandshookoutthefoldsofalong，brownraincoat。Margaretdroppedthehat，aroseandtookthecoat。Shetriediton，feltit，cooedoveritandmatcheditwiththeumbrella。

"Diditlookanythinglikerainto-night?"sheinquiredsoanxiouslythatWesleylaughed。

"Andthislastbundle?"shesaid，droppingbackinherchair，thecoatstilloverhershoulders。

"Icouldn\'tbuythismuchstuffforanyotherwomanandnothingformyown，"saidWesley。"It\'sChristmasforyou，too，Margaret!"HeshookoutfoldafterfoldofsoftgraysatinygoodsthatwouldlooklovelyagainstMargaret\'spinkcheeksandwhiteninghair。

"Oh，youolddarling!"sheexclaimed，andfledsobbingintohisarms。

Butshesoondriedhereyes，rakedtogetherthecoalsinthecookingstoveandboiledoneofthedresspatternsinsaltwaterforhalfanhour。Wesleyheldthelampwhileshehungthegoodsonthelinetodry。Thenshesettheironsonthestovesotheywouldbehotthefirstthinginthemorning。

CHAPTERIII

WHEREINELNORAVISITSTHEBIRDWOMAN，ANDOPENSABANKACCOUNT

Fouro\'clockthefollowingmorningElnorawasshellingbeans。Atsixshefedthechickensandpigs，swepttwooftheroomsofthecabin，builtafire，andputonthekettleforbreakfast。Thensheclimbedthenarrowstairstotheatticshehadoccupiedsinceaverysmallchild，anddressedinthehatedshoesandbrowncalico，plastereddownhercrispcurls，atewhatbreakfastshecould，andpinningonherhatstartedfortown。

"Thereisnosenseinyourgoingforanhouryet，"

saidhermother。

"Imusttrytodiscoversomewaytoearnthosebooks，"

repliedElnora。"IamperfectlypositiveIshallnotfindthemlyingbesidetheroadwrappedintissuepaper，andtaggedwithmyname。"

Shewenttowardthecityasonyesterday。Herperplexityastowheretuitionandbooksweretocomefromwasworsebutshedidnotfeelquitesobadly。Sheneveragainwouldhavetofaceallofitforthefirsttime。

Therehadbeentimesyesterdaywhenshehadprayedtobehidden，ortodropdead，andneitherhadhappened。

"Ibelievethebestwaytogetananswertoprayeristoworkforit，"mutteredElnoragrimly。

Againshefollowedthetrailtotheswamp，rearrangedherhairandleftthetinpail。Thistimeshefoldedacoupleofsandwichesinthenapkin，andtiedtheminaneatlightpaperparcelwhichshecarriedinherhand。ThenshehurriedalongtheroadtoOnabashaandfoundabook-store。

Theresheaskedthepricesofthelistofbooksthatsheneeded，andlearnedthatsixdollarswouldnotquitesupplythem。Sheanxiouslyinquiredforsecond-handbooks，butwastoldthattheonlywaytosecurethemwasfromthelastyear\'sFreshmen。JustthenElnorafeltthatshepositivelycouldnotapproachanyofthoseshesupposedtobeSophomoresandasktobuytheiroldbooks。

Theonlybalmthegirlcouldseeforthehumiliationofyesterdaywastoappearthatdaywithasetofnewbooks。

"Doyouwishthese?"askedtheclerkhurriedly，forthestorewasrapidlyfillingwithschoolchildrenwantinganythingfromadictionarytoapen。

"Yes，"gaspedElnora，"Oh，yes!ButIcannotpayforthemjustnow。Pleaseletmetakethem，andIwillpayforthemonFriday，orreturnthemasperfectastheyare。

Pleasetrustmeforthemafewdays。"

"I\'llasktheproprietor，"hesaid。WhenhecamebackElnoraknewtheanswerbeforehespoke。

"I\'msorry，"hesaid，"butMr。Hanndoesn\'trecognizeyourname。Youarenotacustomerofours，andhefeelsthathecan\'ttaketherisk。"

Elnoraclumpedoutofthestore，thethumpofherheavy，shoesbeatingasahammeronherbrain。Shetriedtwootherdealerswiththesameresult，andtheninsickdespaircameintothestreet。Whatcouldshedo?Shewastoofrightenedtothink。Shouldshestayfromschoolthatdayandcanvassthehomesappearingtobelongtothewealthy，andtrytosellbedsofwildferns，asshehadsuggestedtoWesleySinton?Whatwouldshedareaskforbringinginandplantingaclumpofferns?Howcouldshecarrythem?Wouldpeoplebuythem?Sheslowlymovedpastthehotelandthenglancedaroundtoseeiftherewereaclockanywhere，forshefeltsuretheyoungpeoplepassingherconstantlywereontheirwaytoschool。

Thereitstoodinabankwindowinbigblacklettersstaringstraightather:

WANTED:CATERPILLARS，COCOONS，CHRYSALIDES，PUPAECASES，BUTTERFLIES，MOTHS，INDIANRELICS

OFALLKINDS。HIGHESTSCALEOFPRICESPAIDINCASH

Elnoracaughtthewicketatthecashier\'sdeskwithbothhandstobraceherselfagainstdisappointment。

"Whoisitwantstobuycocoons，butterflies，andmoths?"shepanted。

"TheBirdWoman，"answeredthecashier。"Haveyousomeforsale?"

"Ihavesome，Idonotknowiftheyarewhatshewouldwant。"

"Well，youhadbetterseeher，"saidthecashier。"Doyouknowwhereshelives?"

"Yes，"saidElnora。"Wouldyoutellmethetime?"

"Twenty-oneaftereight，"wastheanswer。

Shehadnineminutestoreachtheauditoriumorbelate。

Shouldshegotoschool，ortotheBirdWoman?Severalgirlspassedherwalkingswiftlyandsherememberedtheirfaces。

Theywerehurryingtoschool。Elnoracaughttheinfection。

ShewouldseetheBirdWomanatnoon。Algebracamefirst，andthatprofessorwaskind。Perhapsshecouldsliptothesuperintendentandaskhimforabookforthenextlesson，andatnoon——"Oh，dearLordmakeitcometrue，"prayedElnora，atnoonpossiblyshecouldsellsomeofthosewonderfulshining-wingedthingsshehadbeencollectingallherlifearoundtheoutskirtsoftheLimberlost。

Asshewentdownthelonghallshenoticedtheprofessorofmathematicsstandinginthedoorofhisrecitationroom。

Whenshepassedhimhesmiledandspoketoher。

"Ihavebeenwatchingforyou，"hesaid，andElnorastoppedbewildered。

"Forme?"shequestioned。

"Yes，"saidProfessorHenley。"Stepinside。"

Elnorafollowedhimintotheroomandclosedthedoorbehindthem。

"Atteachers\'meetinglastevening，oneoftheprofessorsmentionedthatapupilhadbetrayedinclassthatshehadexpectedherbookstobefurnishedbythecity。Ithoughtpossiblyitwasyou。Wasit?"

"Yes，"breathedElnora。

"Thatbeingthecase，"saidProfessorHenley，"itjustoccurredtomeasyouhadexpectedthat，youmightrequirealittletimetosecurethem，andyouaretoofineamathematiciantofallbehindforwantofsupplies。SoI

telephonedoneofourSophomorestobringherlastyear\'sbooksthismorning。Iamsorrytosaytheyaresomewhatabused，butthetextisallhere。Youcanhavethemfortwodollars，andpaywhenyouareready。Wouldyoucaretotakethem?"

Elnorasatsuddenly，becauseshecouldnotstandanotherinstant。

Shereachedbothhandsforthebooks，andsaidneveraword。

Theprofessorwassilentalso。AtlastEleanorarose，huggingthosebookstoherheartasamotherclaspsababy。

"Onethingmore，"saidtheprofessor。"Youmaypayyourtuitionquarterly。Youneednotbotheraboutthefirstinstalmentthismonth。AnytimeinOctoberwilldo。"

ItseemedasifElnora\'sgaspofreliefmusthavereachedthesolesofherbrogans。

"Didanyoneevertellyouhowbeautifulyouare!"shecried。

Astheprofessorwaslank，tow-hairedandsonear-

sighted，thathepeeredathispupilsthroughspectacles，nooneeverhad。

"No，"saidProfessorHenley，"I\'vewaitedsometimeforthat；forwhichreasonIshallappreciateitallthemore。

Comenow，orweshallbelateforopeningexercises。"

SoElnoraenteredtheauditoriumasecondtime。HerfacewaslikethebrightestdawnthateverbrokeovertheLimberlost。

Nomatteraboutthelumberingshoesandskimpydress。

Nomatteraboutanything，shehadthebooks。Shecouldtakethemhome。Inhergarretshecouldcommitthemtomemory，ifneedbe。Shecouldprovethatclotheswerenotall。IftheBirdWomandidnotwantanyofthemanydifferentkindsofspecimensshehadcollected，shewasquitesurenowshecouldsellferns，nuts，andagreatmanythings。Then，too，agirlmadeaplaceforherthatmorning，andseveralsmiledandbowed。Elnoraforgoteverythingsaveherbooks，andthatshewaswhereshecouldusethemintelligently——everythingexceptonelittlethingawaybackinherhead。Hermotherhadknownaboutthebooksandthetuition，andhadnottoldherwhensheagreedtohercoming。

AtnoonElnoratookherlittleparceloflunchandstartedtothehomeoftheBirdWoman。Shemustknowaboutthespecimensfirstandthenshewouldwalktothesuburbssomewhereandeatafewbites。Shedroppedtheheavyironknockeronthedoorofabigredlogcabin，andherheartthumpedattheresoundingstroke。

"IstheBirdWomanathome?"sheaskedofthemaid。

"Sheisatlunch，"wastheanswer。

"PleaseaskherifshewillseeagirlfromtheLimberlostaboutsomemoths?"inquiredElnora。

"Ineverneedask，ifit\'smoths，"laughedthegirl。

"Ordersaretobringanyonewithspecimensrightin。

Comethisway。"

Elnorafolloweddownthehallandenteredalongroomwithhighpanelledwainscoting，oldEnglishfireplacewithanovermantelandclosetsofpeculiarchinafillingthecorners。

Atabaretableofoak，yellowasgold，satawomanElnoraoftenhadwatchedandfollowedcovertlyaroundtheLimberlost。

TheBirdWomanwasholdingoutahandofwelcome。

Iheard!"shelaughed。"Alittlepasteboardbox，orjustthemereword`specimen，\'passesyouatmydoor。

IfitismothsIhopeyouhavehundreds。I\'vebeenverybusyallsummerandunabletocollect，andIneedsomany。

Sitdownandlunchwithme，whilewetalkitover。

FromtheLimberlost，didyousay?"

"Iliveneartheswamp，"repliedElnora。"Sinceit\'ssoclearedIdaregoaroundtheedgeindaytime，thoughweareallafraidatnight。"

"Whathaveyoucollected?"askedtheBirdWoman，asshehelpedElnoratosandwichesunlikeanysheeverbeforehadtasted，saladthatseemedtobemadeofmanyfamiliarthings，andacupofhotchocolatethatwouldhavedelightedanyhungryschoolgirl。

"IamafraidIambotheringyoufornothing，andimposingonyou，"shesaid。"That\'collected\'frightensme。

I\'veonlygathered。Ialwayslovedeverythingoutdoors，soImadefriendsandplaymatesofthem。WhenIlearnedthatthemothsdiesosoon，Isavedthemespecially，becausethereseemednowickednessinit。"

"Ihavethoughtthesamething，"saidtheBirdWomanencouragingly。Thenbecausethegirlcouldnoteatuntilshelearnedaboutthemoths，theBirdWomanaskedElnoraifsheknewwhatkindsshehad。

"Notallofthem，"answeredElnora。"BeforeMr。

DuncanmovedawayheoftensawmeneartheedgeoftheswampandheshowedmetheboxhehadfixedforFreckles，andgavemethekey。Thereweresomebooksandthings，sofromthattimeonIstudiedandtriedtotakemothsright，butIamafraidtheyarenotwhatyouwant。"

"AretheythebigonesthatflymostlyinJunenights?"

askedtheBirdWoman。

"Yes，"saidElnora。"Biggrayoneswithreddishmarkings，paleblue-green，yellowwithlavender，andredandyellow。"

"Whatdoyoumeanby`redandyellow?\'"askedtheBirdWomansoquicklythatthegirlalmostjumped"Notexactlyred，"explainedElnora，withtremulousvoice。

"Areddish，yellowishbrown，withcanary-colouredspotsandgraylinesontheirwings。"

"Howmanyofthem?"Itwasthesamequickquestion。

"Ihadovertwohundredeggs，"saidElnora，"butsomeofthemdidn\'thatch，andsomeofthecaterpillarsdied，buttheremustbeatleastahundredperfectones。"

"Perfect!Howperfect?"criedtheBirdWoman。

"Imeanwholewings，nodowngone，andalltheirlegsandantennae，"falteredElnora。

"Youngwoman，that\'stherarestmothinAmerica，"

saidtheBirdWomansolemnly。"Ifyouhaveahundredofthem，theyareworthahundreddollarsaccordingtomylist。Icanuseallthatarenotdamaged。"

"Whatiftheyarenotpinnedright，"quaveredElnora。

"Iftheyareperfect，thatdoesnotmaketheslightestdifference。IknowhowtosoftenthemsothatIcanputthemintoanyshapeIchoose。

Wherearethey?WhenmayIseethem?"

"TheyareinFreckles\'soldcaseintheLimberlost，"

saidElnora。"Icouldn\'tcarrymanyforfearofbreakingthem，butIcouldbringafewafterschool。"

"Youcomehereatfour，"saidtheBirdWoman，"andwewilldriveoutwithsomespecimenboxes，andapricelist，andseewhatyouhavetosell。Aretheyyourveryown?

Areyoufreetopartwiththem?"

"Theyaremine，"saidElnora。"NoonebutGodknowsIhavethem。Mr。Duncangavemethebooksandthebox。HetoldFrecklesaboutme，andFrecklestoldhimtogivemeallheleft。Hesaidformetosticktotheswampandbebrave，andmyhourwouldcome，andithas!Iknowmostofthemareallright，andoh，I

doneedthemoney!"

"Couldyoutellme?"askedtheBirdWomansoftly。

"Youseetheswampandallthefieldsarounditaresofull，"explainedElnora。"EverydayIfeltsmallerandsmaller，andIwantedtoknowmoreandmore，andprettysoonIgrewdesperate，justasFrecklesdid。ButIambetteroffthanhewas，forIhavehisbooks，andIhaveamother；evenifshedoesn\'tcareformeasothergirls\'

mothersdoforthem，it\'sbetterthannoone。"

TheBirdWoman\'sglancefell，forthegirlwasnotconsciousofhowmuchshewasrevealing。Hereyeswerefixedonablackpitcherfilledwithgoldenrodinthecentreofthetableandshewassayingwhatshethought。

"AslongasIcouldgototheBrushwoodschoolIwashappy，butIcouldn\'tgofurtherjustwhenthingswerethemostinteresting，soIwasdeterminedI\'dcometohighschoolandmotherwouldn\'tconsent。Youseethere\'splentyofland，butfatherwasdrownedwhenI

wasababy，andmotherandIcan\'tmakemoneyasmendo。

Thetaxesarehighereveryyear，andshesaiditwastooexpensive。Iwouldn\'tgiveheranyrest，untilatlastsheboughtmethisdress，andtheseshoesandIcame。

Itwasawful!"

"Doyouliveinthatbeautifulcabinatthenorthwestendoftheswamp?"askedtheBirdWoman。

"Yes，"saidElnora。

"Iremembertheplaceandastoryaboutit，now。

Youenteredthehighschoolyesterday?"

"Yes。"

"Itwasratherbad?"

"Ratherbad!"echoedElnora。

TheBirdWomanlaughed。

"Youcan\'ttellmeanythingaboutthat，"shesaid。

"Ionceenteredacityschoolstraightfromthecountry。

Mydresswasbrowncalico，andmyshoeswereheavy。"

ThetearsbegantorolldownElnora\'scheeks。

"Didthey——?"shefaltered。

"Theydid!"saidtheBirdWoman。"Allofit。Iamsuretheydidnotmissoneleastlittlething。"

Thenshewipedawaysometearsthatbegancoursinghercheeks，andlaughedatthesametime。

"Wherearetheynow?"askedElnorasuddenly。

"Theyarewidelyscattered，butnoneofthemhaveattainedheightsoutofrange。Someofthericharepoor，andsomeofthepoorarerich。Someofthebrightestdiedinsane，andsomeofthedullestworkedouthighpositions；someoftheveryworsttobearhavegoneout，andIfrequentlyhearfromothers。NowIamhere，abletorememberit，andminglelaughterwithwhatusedtobealltears；foreverydayIhavemybeautifulwork，andalmosteverydayGodsendssomeonelikeyoutohelpme。Whatisyourname，mygirl?"

"ElnoraComstock，"answeredElnora。"YesterdayontheboarditchangedtoCornstock，andforaminuteI

thoughtI\'ddie，butIcanlaughoverthatalready。"

TheBirdWomanaroseandkissedher。"Finishyourlunch，"shesaid，"andIwillbringmypricelists，andmakeamemorandumofwhatyouthinkyouhave，soI

willknowhowmanyboxestoprepare。Andrememberthis:

Whatyouarelieswithyou。Ifyouarelazy，andacceptyourlot，youmayliveinit。Ifyouarewillingtowork，youcanwriteyournameanywhereyouchoose，amongtheonlyoneswholivebeyondthegraveinthisworld，thepeoplewhowritebooksthathelp，makeexquisitemusic，carvestatues，paintpictures，andworkforothers。

Nevermindthecalicodress，andthecoarseshoes。

Workatyourbooks，andbeforelongyouwillhearyesterday\'stormentorsboastingthattheywereonceclassmatesofyours。`Icouldataleunfold\'——!"

ShelaughinglylefttheroomandElnorasatthinking，untilsherememberedhowhungryshewas，sosheatethefood，drankthehotchocolateandbegantofeelbetter。

ThentheBirdWomancamebackandshowedElnoraalongprintedslipgivingalistofgraduatedpricesformoths，butterflies，anddragonflies。

"Oh，doyouwantthem!"exultedElnora。"IhaveafewandIcangetmorebythethousand，witheverycolourintheworldontheirwings。"

"Yes，"saidtheBirdWoman，"Iwillbuythem，alsothebigmothcaterpillarsthatarecreepingeverywherenow，andthecocoonsthattheywillspinjustaboutthistime。

Ihaveasneakingimpressionthatthemystery，wonder，andtheurgeoftheirpurebeauty，aregoingtoforcemetopictureandpaintourmothsandputthemintoabookforalltheworldtoseeandknow。WeLimberlostpeoplemustnotbeselfishwiththewondersGodhasgiventous。

Wemustsharewiththosepoorcooped-upcitypeoplethebestwecan。Tosendthemabeautifulbook，thatistheway，isitnot，littlenewfriendofmine?"

"Yes，ohyes!"criedElnora。"AndpleaseGodtheyfindawaytoearnthemoneytobuythebooks，asIhavethoseIneedsobadly。"

"Iwillpaygoodpricesforallthemothsyoucanfind，"

saidtheBirdWoman，"becauseyouseeIexchangethemwithforeigncollectors。IwantacompleteseriesofthemothsofAmericatotradewithaGermanscientist，anotherwithamaninIndia，andanotherinBrazil。

OthersIcanexchangewithhomecollectorsforthoseofCaliforniaandCanada，soyouseeIcanuseallyoucanraise，orfind。Thebankerwillbuystoneaxes，arrowpoints，andIndianpipes。Therewasateacherfromthecitygradeschoolshereto-dayforspecimens。Thereisafundtosupplythewardbuildings。I\'llhelpyougetintouchwiththat。Theywantleavesofdifferenttrees，flowers，grasses，moths，insects，birds\'nestsandanythingaboutbirds。"

Elnora\'seyeswereblazing。"HadIbettergobacktoschooloropenabankaccountandbeginbeingamillionaire?

UncleWesleyandIhaveabushelofarrowpointsgathered，astackofaxes，pipes，skin-dressingtools，tubesandmortars。

Idon\'tknowhowIevershallwaitthreehours。"

"Youmustgo，oryouwillbelate，"saidtheBirdWoman。

"Iwillbereadyatfour。"

AfterschoolclosedElnora，seatedbesidetheBirdWoman，drovetoFreckles\'sroomintheLimberlost。Oneatatimethebeautifulbigmothsweretakenfromtheinterioroftheoldblackcase。Notafourthofthemcouldbemovedthatnightanditwasalmostdarkwhenthelastboxwasclosed，thelistfigured，andintoElnora\'stremblingfingerswerepaidfifty-ninedollarsandsixteencents。

Elnoraclaspedthemoneyclosely。

"Ohyoubeautifulstuff!"shecried。"Youaregoingtobuythebooks，paythetuition，andtakemetohighschool。"

Thenbecauseshewasawoman，shesatonalogandlookedathershoes。LongaftertheBirdWomandroveawayElnoraremained。Shehadherproblem，anditwasabigone。Ifshetoldhermother，wouldshetakethemoneytopaythetaxes?Ifshedidnottellher，howcouldsheaccountforthebooks，andthingsforwhichshewouldspendit。Atlastshecountedoutwhatsheneededforthenextday，placedtheremainderinthefarthestcornerofthecase，andlockedthedoor。Shethenfilledthefrontofherskirtfromaheapofarrowpointsbeneaththecaseandstartedhome。

CHAPTERIV

WHEREINTHESINTONSAREDISAPPOINTED，ANDMRS。COMSTOCKLEARNSTHATSHECANLAUGH

WiththefirststreakofredabovetheLimberlostMargaretSintonwasbusywiththeginghamandtheintricatepaperpatternshehadpurchased。

WesleycookedthebreakfastandworkeduntilhethoughtElnorawouldbegone，thenhestartedtobringhermother。

"Nowyoubemightycareful，"cautionedMargaret。

"Idon\'tknowhowshewilltakeit。"

"Idon\'teither，"saidWesleyphilosophically，"butshe\'sgottotakeitsomeway。Thatdresshastobefinishedbyschooltimeinthemorning。"

Wesleyhadnotsleptwellthatnight。HehadbeensobusyframingdiplomaticspeechestomaketoMrs。Comstockthatsleephadlittlechancewithhim。Everystepnearertoherheapproachedhispositionseemedlessenviable。

Bythetimehereachedthefrontgateandstarteddownthewalkbetweentherowsofastersandladyslippershewasperspiring，andeveryplausibleandconvincingspeechhadfledhisbrain。Mrs。Comstockhelpedhim。

Shemethimatthedoor。

"Goodmorning，"shesaid。"DidMargaretsendyouforsomething?"

"Yes，"saidWesley。"She\'sgotajobthat\'stoobigforher，andshewantsyoutohelp。"

"OfcourseIwill，"saidMrs。Comstock。Itwasnoone\'saffairhowlonelythepreviousdayhadbeen，orhowtheendlesshoursofthepresentwoulddrag。

"Whatisshedoinginsucharush?"

Nowwashischance。

"She\'smakingadressforElnora，"answered，Wesley。

HesawMrs。Comstock\'sformstraighten，andherfaceharden，sohecontinuedhastily。"YouseeElnorahasbeenhelpingusatharvesttime，butchering，andwithunexpectedvisitorsforyears。We\'vemadeoutthatshe\'ssavedusaconsiderablesum，andasshewouldn\'tevertouchanypayforanything，wejustwenttotownandgotafewclotheswethoughtwouldfixherupalittleforthehighschool。Wewanttogetadressdoneto-daymightybad，butMargaretisslowaboutsewing，andshenevercanfinishalone，soIcameafteryou。"

"Andit\'ssuchasimplelittlematter，sodeadeasy；

andallsobetweenoldfriendslike，thatyoucan\'tlookaboveyourbootswhileyouexplainit，"sneeredMrs。Comstock。

"WesleySinton，whatputtheideaintoyourheadthatElnorawouldtakethingsboughtwithmoney，whenshewouldn\'ttakethemoney?

ThenSinton\'seyescameupstraightly。

"FindingheronthetraillastnightsobbingashardasIeversawanyoneatafuneral。Shewasn\'tcomplainingatall，butshe\'scometomeallherlifewithherlittlehurts，andshecouldn\'thidehowshe\'dbeenlaughedat，twitted，andrunfacetofaceagainstthefactthattherewerebooksandtuition，unexpected，andnothingwillevermakemebelieveyoudidn\'tknowthat，KateComstock。"

"Ifanydoubtsaretroublingyouonthatsubject，sureIknewit!Shewassoanxioustotrytheworld，IthoughtI\'djustlethertakeafewknocksandseehowshelikedthem。"

"Asifshe\'devertakenanythingbutknocksallherlife!"

criedWesleySinton。"KateComstock，youareaheartless，selfishwoman。You\'venevershownElnoraanyrealloveinherlife。Ifevershefindsoutthatthingyou\'llloseher，anditwillserveyouright。"

"Sheknowsitnow，"saidMrs。Comstockicily，"andshe\'llbehometo-nightjustasusual。"

"Well，youareabravewomanifyoudaredputagirlofElnora\'smakethroughwhatshesufferedyesterday，andwillsufferagainto-day，andletherknowyoudiditonpurpose。

Iadmireyournerve。ButI\'vewatchedthissinceElnorawasborn，andIgotenough。Thingshavecometoapasswheretheygobetterforher，orIinterfere。"

"Asifyou\'deverdoneanythingbutinterfereallherlife!

ThinkIhaven\'twatchedyou?ThinkI，withmyheartrawinmybreast，andtoonumbtoresentitopenly，haven\'tseenyouandMagSintontryingtoturnElnoraagainstmedayafterday?Whendidyouevertellherwhatherfathermeanttome?Whendidyouevertrytomakeherseethewreckofmylife，andwhatI\'vesuffered?

Noindeed!Alwaysit\'sbeenpoorlittleabusedElnora，andcakes，kissing，extraclothes，andencouraginghertoruntoyouwithapitifulmoutheverytimeItriedtomakeawomanofher。"

"KateComstock，that\'sunjust，"criedSinton。"OnlylastnightItriedtoshowherthepictureIsawthedayshewasborn。Ibeggedhertocometoyouandtellyoupleasantwhatsheneeded，andaskyouforwhatIhappentoknowyoucanwellaffordtogiveher。"

"Ican\'t!"criedMrs。Comstock。"YouknowIcan\'t!"

"Thengetsoyoucan!"saidWesleySinton。"Anydayyousaythewordyoucansellsixthousandworthofraretimberoffthisplaceeasy。I\'llseetoclearingandworkingthefieldscheapasdirt，forElnora\'ssake。

I\'llbuyyoumorecattletofatten。Allyou\'vegottodoissignalease，topullthousandsfromthegroundinoil，astherestofusaredoingallaroundyou!"

"CutdownRobert\'strees!"shriekedMrs。Comstock。

"Tearuphisland!Covereverythingwithhorrid，greasyoil!I\'lldiefirst。"

"Youmeanyou\'llletElnoragolikeabeggar，andhurtandmortifyherpastbearing。I\'vegottotheplacewhereItellyouplainwhatIamgoingtodo。MaggieandI

wenttotownlastnight，andweboughtwhatthingsElnoraneedsmosturgenttomakeherlookalittleliketherestofthehighschoolgirls。NowhereitisinplainEnglish。

Youcanhelpgetthesethingsready，andletusgivethemtoheraswewant——"

"Shewon\'ttouchthem!"criedMrs。Comstock。

"Thenyoucanpayus，andshecantakethemasherright——"

"Iwon\'t!"

"ThenIwilltellElnorajustwhatyouareworth，whatyoucanafford，andhowmuchofthissheowns。I\'llloanherthemoneytobuybooksanddecentclothes，andwhensheisofageshecansellhershareandpayme。"

Mrs。Comstockgrippedachair-backandopenedherlips，butnowordscame。

"And，"Sintoncontinued，"ifsheissomuchlikeyouthatshewon\'tdothat，I\'llgotothecountyseatandlaycomplaintagainstyouasherguardianbeforethejudge。

I\'llsweartowhatyouareworth，andhowyouareraisingher，andhaveyoudischarged，orhavethejudgeappointsomemanwhowillseethatsheiscomfortable，educated，anddecentlooking!"

"You——youwouldn\'t!"gaspedKateComstock。

"Iwon\'tneedto，Kate!"saidSinton，hisheartsofteningtheinstantthehardwordsweresaid。"Youwon\'tshowit，butyoudoloveElnora!Youcan\'thelpit!

Youmustseehowsheneedsthings；comehelpusfixthem，andbefriends。MaggieandIcouldn\'tlivewithouther，andyoucouldn\'teither。You\'vegottolovesuchafinegirlassheis；letitshowalittle!"

"Youcanhardlyexpectmetoloveher，"saidMrs。

Comstockcoldly。"Butforheramanwouldstandbackofmenow，whowouldbeatthebreathoutofyoursneakingbodyforthecowardlythingwithwhichyouthreatenme。

AfterallI\'vesufferedyou\'ddragmetocourtandcompelmetotearupRobert\'sproperty。IfIevergotheycarryme。Iftheytouchonetree，orputdownonegreasyoldoilwell，itwillbeoverallIcanshoot，beforetheybegin。Now，seehowquickyoucanclearoutofhere!"

"Youwon\'tcomeandhelpMaggiewiththedress?"

ForanswerMrs。Comstocklookedaroundswiftlyforsomeobjectonwhichtolayherhands。Knowinghertemper，WesleySintonleftwithallthehasteconsistentwithdignity。Buthedidnotgohome。Hecrossedafield，andinanhourbroughtanotherneighbourwhowasskilfulwithherneedle。WithsinkingheartMargaretsawthemcoming。

"Kateistoobusytohelpto-day，shecan\'tsewbeforeto-morrow，"saidWesleycheerfullyastheyentered。

ThatquietedMargaret\'sapprehensionalittle，thoughshehadsomedoubts。Wesleypreparedthelunch，andbyfouro\'clockthedresswasfinishedasfarasitpossiblycouldbeuntilitwasfittedonElnora。Ifthatdidnotentailtoomuchwork，itcouldbecompletedintwohours。

ThenMargaretpackedtheirpurchasesintothebigmarketbasket。Wesleytookthehat，umbrella，andraincoat，andtheywenttoMrs。Comstock\'s。Astheyreachedthestep，MargaretspokepleasantlytoMrs。Comstock，whosatreadingjustinsidethedoor，butshedidnotansweranddeliberatelyturnedaleafwithoutlookingup。

WesleySintonopenedthedoorandwentinfollowedbyMargaret。

"Kate，"hesaid，"youneedn\'ttakeoutyourmadoverourlittleracketonMaggie。Iain\'ttoldherawordIsaidtoyou，oryousaidtome。She\'snotsoverystrong，andshe\'ssewedsincefouro\'clockthismorningtogetthisdressreadyforto-morrow。It\'sdoneandwecamedowntotryitonElnora。"