第6章

Sheclosedtheboxandsetitbesidethelunchesofothercountrypupils。Whileherbackwasturned，intotheroomcamethegirlofherencounteronthefirstday，walkedtotherack，andwithanexclamationofapprovaltookdownElnora\'shat。

"JustthethingIhavebeenwanting!"shesaid。"Ineversawsuchbeautifulquillsinallmylife。Theymatchmynewbroadclothtoperfection。I\'vegottohavethatkindofquillsformyhat。Ineversawthelike!Whoseisit，andwherediditcomefrom?"

Noonesaidaword，forElnora\'squestion，thereply，andheranswer，hadbeenrepeated。EveryoneknewthattheLimberlostgirlhadcomeoutaheadandSadieReedhadnotbeenamiable，whenthelittleflourishhadbeenaddedtoElnora\'snameinthealgebraclass。Elnora\'sswiftglancewaspathetic，butnoonehelpedher。SadieReedglancedfromthehattothefacesaroundherandwondered。

"Why，thisistheFreshmansection，whosehatisit?"

sheaskedagain，thistimeimpatiently。

"That\'sthetasselofthecornstock，"saidElnorawithaforcedlaugh。

Theresponsewasgenuine。Everyoneshouted。SadieReedblushed，butshelaughedalso。

"Well，it\'sbeautiful，"shesaid，"especiallythequills。

TheyareexactlywhatIwant。IknowIdon\'tdeserveanykindnessfromyou，butIdowishyouwouldtellmeatwhosestoreyoufoundthosequills。"

"Gladly!"saidElnora。Youcan\'tbuyquillslikethoseatastore。Theyarefromalivingbird。PhoebeSimmsgatherstheminherorchardasherpeacocksshedthem。

Theyarewingquillsfromthemales。"

Thentherewasperfectsilence。HowwasElnoratoknowthatnotagirltherewouldhavetoldthat?

"Ihaven\'tadoubtbutIcangetyousome，"sheoffered。

"ShegaveAuntMargaretalargebunch，andthosearepartofthem。Iamquitesureshehasmore，andwouldsparesome。"

SadieReedlaughedshortly。"Youneedn\'ttrouble，"

shesaid，"Iwasfooled。Ithoughttheywereexpensivequills。

Iwantedthemforatwenty-dollarvelvettoquetomatchmynewsuit。Iftheyaregatheredfromtheground，really，Icouldn\'tusethem。"

"Onlyinspots!"saidElnora。"Theydon\'tjustcovertheearth。PhoebeSimms\'speacocksaretheonlyoneswithinmilesofOnabasha，andtheymoultbutonceayear。

Ifyourhatcostonlytwentydollars，it\'sscarcelygoodenoughforthosequills。Yousee，theAlmightymadeandcolouredthoseHimself；andHeputsthesamekindonPhoebeSimms\'speacocksthatHeputontheheadofthefamilyintheforestsofCeylon，awaybackinthebeginning。

AnyoldmanufacturedquillfromNewYorkorChicagowilldoforyourlittletwenty-dollarhat。YoushouldhavesomethinginfinitelybetterthanthattobeworthyofquillsthataremadebytheCreator。"

Howthosegirlsdidlaugh!OneofthemwalkedwithElnoratotheauditorium，satbesideherduringexercises，andtriedtotalkwhenevershedared，tokeepElnorafromseeingthecuriousandadmiringlooksbentuponher。

Forthebrown-eyedboywhistled，andtherewaspantomimeofallsortsgoingonbehindElnora\'sbackthatday。

Happywithherbooks，nooneknewhowmuchshesaw，andfromherabsorptioninherstudiesitwasevidentshecaredtoolittletonotice。

AfterschoolshewentagaintothehomeoftheBirdWoman，andtogethertheyvisitedtheswampandcarriedawaymorespecimens。ThistimeElnoraaskedtheBirdWomantokeepthemoneyuntilnoonofthenextday，whenshewouldcallforitandhaveitaddedtoherbankaccount。Sheslowlywalkedhome，forthevisittotheswamphadbroughtbackfullforcetheexperienceofthemorning。Againandagainsheexaminedthecrudelittlenote，forshedidnotknowwhatitmeant，yetitbredvaguefear。TheonlythingofwhichElnoraknewherselfafraidwashermother；whenwithwildeyesandearsdeaftochildishpleading，shesometimeslostcontrolofherselfinthenightandvisitedthepoolwhereherhusbandhadsunkbeforeher，callinghisnameinunearthlytonesandbeggingoftheswamptogivebackitsdead。

CHAPTERVI

WHEREINMRS。COMSTOCKINDULGESIN"FRILLS，"

ANDBILLYREAPPEARS

ItwasWesleySintonwhoreallywrestledwithElnora\'sproblemwhilehedroveabouthisbusiness。

Hewasnotforcedtoaskhimselfwhatitmeant；heknew。

TheoldCorsongangwasstillholdingtogether。

EldermemberswhohadescapedthelawhadbeenjoinedbyayoungerbrotherofJack\'s，andtheymetinthethickestofthefewremainingfastplacesoftheswamptodrink，gamble，andloaf。Thensuddenly，therewouldbearobberyinsomecountryhousewhereafarmerthatdayhadsoldhiswheatorcornandnotpaidavisittothebank；

orinsomeneighbouringvillage。

ThehomeofMrs。ComstockandElnoraadjoinedtheswamp。

Sinton\'slandlaynext，andnotanotherresidenceormaneasytoreachincaseoftrouble。Whoeverwrotethatnotehadsomehumankindnessinhisbreast，butthefactstoodrevealedthathefearedhisstrengthifElnoraweredeliveredintohishands。Wherehadhebeenthepreviousnightwhenheheardthatprayer?Wasthatthefirsttimehehadbeeninsuchproximity?Sintondrovefast，forhewishedtoreachtheswampbeforeElnoraandtheBirdWomanwouldgothere。

Atalmostfourhecametothecase，anddroppingonhiskneesstudiedtheground，everysensealert。Hefoundtwoorthreelittleheelprints。ThoseweremadebyElnoraortheBirdWoman。WhatSintonwantedtolearnwaswhetheralltheremainderwerethefootprintsofoneman。Itwaseasilyseen，theywerenot。Thereweredeep，eventracksmadebyfairlynewshoes，andotherswhereawell-wornheelcutdeeperontheinsideoftheprintthanattheouteredge。UndoubtedlysomeofCorson\'soldgangwerewatchingthecase，andthevisitsofthewomentoit。TherewasnodangerthatanyonewouldattacktheBirdWoman。Sheneverwenttotheswampatnight，andonhertripsinthedaytime，everyoneknewthatshecarriedarevolver，understoodhowtouseit，andpursuedherworkinafearlessmanner。

Elnora，prowlingaroundtheswampandluredintotheinteriorbytheflightofmothsandbutterflies；Elnora，withoutfather，money，orfriendssavehimself，todefendher——Elnorawasadifferentproposition。ForthistohappenjustwhentheLimberlostwasbringingtheverydesireofherhearttothegirl，itwastoobad。

Sintonwasafraidforher，yethedidnotwanttoaddtheburdenoffeartoKatharineComstock\'strouble，ortodisturbthejoyofElnorainherwork。Hestoppedatthecabinandslowlywentupthewalk。Mrs。Comstockwassittingonthefrontstepswithsomesewing。TheworkseemedtoSintonasifshemightbeengagedinputtingatuckinapetticoat。HethoughtofhowMargarethadshortenedElnora\'sdresstotheacceptedlengthforgirlsofherage，andmadeamentalnoteofMrs。Comstock\'soccupation。

Shedroppedherworkonherlap，laidherhandsonitandlookedintohisfacewithasneer。

"Youdidn\'tletanygrassgrowunderyourfeet，"shesaid。

Sintonsawherwhite，drawnfaceandcomprehended。

"Iwenttopayadebtandseeaboutthisopeningoftheditch，Kate。"

"Yousaidyouweregoingtoprosecuteme。"

"Goodgracious，Kate!"criedSinton。"Isthatwhatyouhavebeenthinkingallday?ItoldyoubeforeIleftyesterdaythatIwouldnotneeddothat。AndIwon\'t!

Wecan\'taffordtoquarreloverElnora。She\'sallwe\'vegot。

Nowthatshehasprovedthatifyoudon\'tdojustwhatIthinkyououghtbywayofclothesandschooling，shecantakecareofherself，Iputthatoutofmyhead。

WhatIcametoseeyouaboutisakindofscareI\'vehadto-day。IwanttoaskyouifyoueverseeanythingabouttheswampthatmakesyouthinktheoldCorsongangisstillatwork?"

"Can\'tsaythatIdo，"saidMrs。Comstock。"There\'skindofdancinglightstheresometimes，butIsupposeditwasjustpeoplepassingalongtheroadwithlanterns。

Folkshereaboutarenonetoofondoftheswamp。Ihateitlikedeath。I\'veneverstayedhereanightinmylifewithoutRobert\'srevolver，cleanandloaded，undermypillow，andtheshotgun，samecondition，bythebed。

Ican\'tsaythatI\'mafraidhereathome。I\'mnot。Icantakecareofmyself。Butnoneoftheswampforme!"

"Well，I\'mgladyouarenotafraid，Kate，becauseI

musttellyousomething。Elnorastoppedatthecasethismorning，andsomebodyhadbeenintoitinthenight。"

"Brokethelock?"

"No。Usedaduplicatekey。To-dayIheardtherewasamanherelastnight。Iwanttonosearoundalittle。"

Sintonwenttotheeastendofthecabinandlookedupatthewindow。Therewasnowayanyonecouldhavereacheditwithoutaladder，forthelogswerehewedandmortarfilledthecrackseven。Thenhewenttothewestend，thewillowfacedhimasheturnedthecorner。

Heexaminedthetrunkcarefully。Therewasnomistakeaboutsmallparticlesofblackswampmuckadheringtothesidesofthetree。Hereachedthelowbranchesandclimbedthewillow。TherewasearthonthelargelimbcrossingElnora\'swindow。Hestoodonit，holdingthebranchashadbeendonethenightbefore，andlookedintotheroom。Hecouldseeverylittle，butheknewthatifithadbeendarkoutsideandsufficientlylightforElnoratostudyinsidehecouldhaveseenvividly。Hebroughthisfaceclosetothenetting，andhecouldseethebedwithitsheadtotheeast，atitsfootthetablewiththecandlesandthechairbeforeit，andthenheknewwherethemanhadbeenwhohadheardElnora\'sprayer。

Mrs。Comstockhadfollowedaroundthecornerandstoodwatchinghim。"Doyouthinksomeslinkinghulkwasuptherepeekin\'inatElnora?"shedemandedindignantly。

"Thereismuckonthetrunk，andplentyonthelimb，"

saidSinton。"Hadn\'tyoubettergetasawandletmetakethisbranchoff?"

"No，Ihadn\'t，"saidMrs。Comstock。"Firstplace，Elnora\'sclimbedfromthatwindowonthatlimballherlife，andit\'shers。Secondplace，noonegetsaheadofmeafterI\'vehadwarning。Anycrowthatperchesonthatroostagainwillgetitsfeatherssomewhatscattered。

Lookalongthefence，there，andseeifyoucanfindwherehecamein。"

Theplacewaseasytofindaswasatrailleadingforsomedistancewestofthecabin。

"Youjustgohome，anddon\'tfretyourself，"saidMrs。Comstock。"I\'lltakecareofthis。Ifyoushouldhearthedinnerbellatanytimeinthenightyoucomedown。

ButIwouldn\'tsayanythingtoElnora。Shebetterkeephermindonherstudies，ifshe\'sgoingtoschool。"

WhentheworkwasfinishedthatnightElnoratookherbooksandwenttoherroomtopreparesomelessons，buteveryfewminutesshelookedtowardtheswamptoseeiftherewerelightsnearthecase。Mrs。Comstockrakedtogetherthecoalsinthecookingstove，gotoutthelunchbox，andsittingdownshestudieditgrimly。

Atlastshearose。

"WonderhowitwoulddotoshowMagSintonafrillortwo，"shemurmured。

Shewenttoherroom，kneltbeforeabigblack-walnutchestandhuntedthroughitscontentsuntilshefoundanold-fashionedcookbook。Shetendedthefireasshereadandpresentlywasinaction。Shefirstsawedanendfromafragrant，juicy，sugar-curedhamandputittocook。Thenshesetacoupleofeggsboiling，andafterlonghesitationbegancreamingbutterandsugarinacrock。Anhourlatertheodouroftheham，mingledwithsomeoftherichestspicesof"happyAraby，"inacombinationthatcouldmeannothingsavespicecake，creptuptoElnorasostronglythatsheliftedherheadandsniffedamazedly。Shewouldhavegivenallherpreciousmoneytohavegonedownandthrownherarmsaroundhermother\'sneck，butshedidnotdaremove。

Mrs。Comstockwasupearly，andwithoutawordhandedElnorathecaseassheleftthenextmorning。

"Thankyou，mother，"saidElnora，andwentonherway。

Shewalkeddowntheroadlookingstraightaheaduntilshecametothecorner，wheresheusuallyenteredtheswamp。Shepaused，glancedthatwayandsmiled。

Thensheturnedandlookedback。Therewasnoonecominginanydirection。Shefollowedtheroaduntilwellaroundthecorner，thenshestoppedandsatonagrassyspot，laidherbooksbesideherandopenedthelunchbox。Lastnight\'sodourshadinameasurepreparedherforwhatshewouldsee，butnotquite。Shescarcelycouldbelievehersenses。Halfthebreadcompartmentwasfilledwithdaintysandwichesofbreadandbuttersprinkledwiththeyolkofeggandtheremainderwiththreelargeslicesofthemostfragrantspicecakeimaginable。

Themeatdishcontainedshavedcoldham，ofwhichsheknewthequality，thesaladwastomatoesandcelery，andthecupheldpreservedpear，clearasamber。

Therewasmilkinthebottle，twotissue-wrappedcucumberpicklesinthefoldingdrinking-cup，andafreshnapkininthering。Nolunchwaseverdaintierormorepalatable；

ofthatElnorawasperfectlysure。Andhermotherhadprepareditforher!"Shedoesloveme!"criedthehappygirl。

"Sureasyou\'rebornshelovesme；onlyshehasn\'tfounditoutyet!"

Shetouchedthepapersdaintily，andsmiledattheboxasifitwerealivingthing。Asshebeganclosingitabreathofairsweptby，liftingthecoveringofthecake。Itwaslikeaninvitation，andbreakfastwasseveralhoursaway。Elnorapickedupapieceandateit。

Thatcaketastedevenbetterthanitlooked。Thenshetriedasandwich。Howdidhermothercometothinkofmakingthemthatway。Theyneverhadanyathome。

Sheslippedoutthefork，sampledthesalad，andone-quarterofpear。Thensheclosedtheboxandstarteddowntheroadnibblingoneofthepicklesandtryingtodecideexactlyhowhappyshewas，butshecouldfindnostandardhighenoughforameasure。

ShewastogototheBirdWoman\'safterschoolforthelastloadfromthecase。Saturdayshewouldtakethearrowpointsandspecimenstothebank。Thatwouldexhaustherpresentsuppliesandgiveherenoughmoneyaheadtopayforbooks，tuition，andclothesforatleasttwoyears。Shewouldworkearlyandlategatheringnuts。InOctobershewouldsellallthefernsshecouldfind。Shemustcollectspecimensofalltreeleavesbeforetheyfell，gathernestsandcocoonslater，andkeephereyeswideopenforanythingthegradescoulduse。

Shewouldseethesuperintendentthatnightaboutsellingspecimenstothewardbuildings。Shemustbeaheadofanyoneelseifshewantedtofurnishthesethings。Sosheapproachedthebridge。

Thatitwasoccupiedcouldbeseenfromadistance。

Asshecameupshefoundthesmallboyofyesterdayawaitingherwithaconfidentsmile。

"Webroughtyousomething!"heannouncedwithoutgreeting。

"ThisisJimmyandBelle——andwebroughtyouapresent。"

Heofferedaparcelwrappedinbrownpaper。

"Why，howlovelyofyou!"saidElnora。"Isupposedyouhadforgottenmewhenyouranawaysofastyesterday。"

"Naw，Ididn\'tforgetyou，"saidtheboy。"Iwouldn\'tforgetyou，notever!Why，Iwasista-hurryingtotakethemthingstoJimmyandBelle。Mytheywasglad!"

Elnoraglancedatthechildren。Theysatontheedgeofthebridge，obviouslycladinagarmenteach，verydirtyandunkept，alittleboyandagirlofaboutsevenandnine。

Elnora\'sheartbegantoache。

"Say，"saidtheboy。"Ain\'tyougoingtolookwhatwehavegaveyou?"

"Ithoughtitwasn\'tpolitetolookbeforepeople，"

answeredElnora。"Ofcourse，Iwill，ifyouwouldliketohaveme。"

Elnoraopenedthepackage。Shehadbeenpresentedwithaquarterofastaleloafofbaker\'sbread，andabigpieceofancientbologna。

"Butdon\'tyouwantthisyourselves?"sheaskedinsurprise。

"Gosh，no!Imeanistno，"saidtheboy。"Wealwayshaveit。Wegotstacksthismorning。Pa\'scomeoutofitnow，andhe\'ssosorryhegotmore\'aneverwecaneat。Haveyouhadanybefore?"

"No，"saidElnora，"Ineverdid!"

Theboy\'seyesbrightenedandthegirlmovedrestlessly。

"Wethoughtmaybeyouhadn\'t，"saidtheboy。"Firstyoueverhave，youlikeitrealwell；butwhenyoudon\'thaveanythingelseforalongtime，yearsan\'years，yougitsotired。"HehitchedatthestringwhichheldhistrousersandwatchedElnoraspeculatively。

"Idon\'ts\'poseyou\'dtradewhatyougotinthatboxforistoldbreadandbolognanow，wouldyou?Mebbyyou\'dlikeit!AndIknow，Iistknow，whatyougotwouldtastelikeheaventoJimmyandBelle。Theyneverhadnothinglikethat!NotevenBelle，andshe\'smostten!

No，sir-ee，theynevertastedthingslikeyougot!"

ItwasinElnora\'shearttobethankfulforevenatasteintime，asshekneltonthebridge，openedtheboxanddividedherlunchintothreeequalparts，thesmallerboygettingmostofthemilk。Thenshetoldthemitwasschooltimeandshemustgo。

"Whydon\'tyouputyourbreadandbolognainthenicebox?"

askedtheboy。

"Ofcourse，"saidElnora。"Ididn\'tthink。"

Whentheboxwasarrangedtothechildren\'ssatisfactionallofthemaccompaniedElnoratothecornerwheresheturnedtowardthehighschool。

"Billy，"saidElnora，"Iwouldlikeyoumuchbetterifyouwerecleaner。Surely，youhavewater!Can\'tyouchildrengetsomesoapandwashyourselves?Gentlemenareneverdirty。Youwanttobeagentleman，don\'tyou?"

"Isbeingcleanallyouhavetodotobeagentleman?"

"No，"saidElnora。"Youmustnotsaybadwords，andyoumustbekindandpolitetoyoursister。"

"MustBellebekindandpolitetome，elsesheain\'talady?"

"Yes。"

"ThenBelle\'snolady!"saidBillysuccinctly。

Elnoracouldsaynothingmorejustthen，andshebadethemgood-byeandstartedthemhome。

"Thepoorlittlesouls!"shemused。"IthinktheAlmightyputtheminmywaytoshowmerealtrouble。Iwon\'tbelikelytospendmuchtimepityingmyselfwhileIcanseethem。"Sheglancedatthelunchbox。"WhatonearthdoIcarrythisfor?Ineverhadanythingthatwassostrictlyornamental!Onesurething!Ican\'ttakethisstufftothehighschool。Youneverseemtoknowexactlywhatisgoingtohappentoyouwhileyouarethere。"

Asiftoprovideawayoutofherdifficultyabigdogarosefromalawn，andcametowardthegatewagginghistail。

"Ifthosechildrenatethestuff，itcan\'tpossiblykillhim!"

thoughtElnora，sosheofferedthebologna。Thedogaccepteditgraciously，andbeingabeastofpedigreehetrottedaroundtoasideporchandlaidthebolognabeforehismistress。Thewomansnatchedit，screaming:

"Come，quick!SomeoneistryingtopoisonPedro!"

Herdaughtercamerunningfromthehouse。"Goseewhoisonthestreet。Hurry!"criedtheexcitedmother。

EllenBrownleeranandlooked。Elnorawashalfablockaway，andnoonenearer。Ellencalledloudly，andElnorastopped。Ellencamerunningtowardher。

"Didyouseeanyonegiveourdogsomething?"shecriedassheapproached。

Elnorasawnoescape。

"Igaveitapieceofbolognamyself，"shesaid。"Itwasfittoeat。Itwouldn\'thurtthedog。"

Ellenstoodandlookedather。"Ofcourse，Ididn\'tknowitwasyourdog，"explainedElnora。"IhadsomethingIwantedtothrowtosomedog，andthatonelookedbigenoughtomanageit。"

Ellenhadarrivedatherconclusions。"Passoverthatlunchbox，"shedemanded。

"Iwillnot!"saidElnora。

"ThenIwillhaveyouarrestedfortryingtopoisonourdog，"laughedthegirlasshetookthebox。

"Onechunkofstalebread，onehalfmileofantiquebolognacontributedfordogfeed；theremainsofcake，saladandpreservesinanotherwiseemptylunchbox。Onehamsandwichyesterday。Ithinkit\'slovelyyouhavethebox。

Whoateyourlunchto-day?"

"Same，"confessedElnora，"buttherewerethreeofthemthistime。"

"Wait，untilIrunbackandtellmotheraboutthedog，andgetmybooks。"

Elnorawaited。ThatmorningshewalkeddownthehallandintotheauditoriumbesideoneoftheverynicestgirlsinOnabasha，anditwasthefourthday。ButthesurprisecameatnoonwhenElleninsisteduponElnoralunchingattheBrownleehome，andconvulsedherparentsandfamily，andoverwhelmedElnorawithagreatlymagnified，butmoderatelyaccuratehistoryofherlunchbox。

"Gee!butit\'sabox，daddy!"criedthelaughinggirl。

"It\'scarvedleatherandfastenswithastrapthathashernameonit。Insidearetraysforthingsallcomplete，anditbearsevidenceofhavingencloseddeliciousfood，butElnoranevergetsany。She\'scarriedittwodaysnow，andbothtimesithasbeenemptybeforeshereachedschool。

Isn\'tthatkilling?"

"Itis，Ellen，inmorewaysthanone。Nogirlisgoingtoeatbreakfastatsixo\'clock，walkthreemiles，anddogoodworkwithoutherlunch。Youcan\'ttellmeanythingaboutthatbox。IsolditlastMondaynighttoWesleySinton，oneofmygoodcountrycustomers。Hetoldmeitwasapresentforagirlwhowasworthyofit，andIseehewasright。"

"He\'ssogoodtome，"saidElnora。"SometimesIlookathimandwonderifaneighbourcanbesokindtoone，whatarealfatherwouldbelike。Ienvyagirlwithafatherunspeakably。"

"Youhavecause，"saidEllenBrownlee。"Afatheristheverydearestpersoninthewholeroundworld，exceptamother，whoisjustadear。"Thegirl，startingtopaytributetoherfather，sawthatshemustincludehermother，andsaidthethingbeforesherememberedwhatMrs。Sintonhadtoldthegirlsinthestore。Shestoppedindismay。

Elnora\'sfacepaledatrifle，butshesmiledbravely。

"ThenI\'mfortunateinhavingamother，"shesaid。

Mr。Brownleelingeredatthetableafterthegirlshadexcusedthemselvesandreturnedtoschool。

"There\'sagirlEllencan\'tseetoomuchof，inmyopinion，"hesaid。"Sheiseveryinchalady，andnotafoolishnotionoractionabouther。Ican\'tunderstandjustwhatcombinationofcircumstancesproducedherinthisday。"

"Ithasbeenanunusualcaseofrepression，foronething。

Shewaitsonhereldersandthinksbeforeshespeaks，"

saidMrs。Brownlee。

"She\'smightypretty。Shelookssosoundandwholesome，andshe\'sneatlydressed。"

"Ellensaysshewasafrightthefirsttwodays。Longbrowncalicodressalmosttouchingthefloor，andbig，lumberingshoes。ThoseSintonpeopleboughtherclothes。

Ellenwasinthestore，andthewomanstoppedhercrowdandaskedthemabouttheirdresses。Shesaidthegirlwasnotpoor，buthermotherwasselfishanddidn\'tcareforher。ButElnorashowedabankbookthenextday，anddeclaredthatshepaidforthethingsherself，sotheSintonpeoplemustjusthaveselectedthem。

There\'ssomethingpeculiaraboutit，butnothingwrongIamsure。I\'llencourageEllentoaskheragain。"

"Ishouldsayso，especiallyifsheisgoingtokeepongivingawayherlunch。"

"ShelunchedwiththeBirdWomanonedaythisweek。"

"Shedid!"

"Yes，shelivesoutbytheLimberlost。YouknowtheBirdWomanworksthereagreatdeal，andprobablyknowsherthatway。Ithinkthegirlgathersspecimensforher。Ellensayssheknowsmorethantheteachersaboutanynaturequestionthatcomesup，andsheisgoingtoleadalloftheminmathematics，andmakethemworkinanybranch。"

WhenElnoraenteredthecoatroomafterhavinghadluncheonwithEllenBrownleetherewassuchadifferenceintheatmospherethatshecouldfeelit。

"IamalmostsorryIhavetheseclothes，"shesaidtoEllen。

"Inthenameofsense，why?"criedtheastonishedgirl。

"Everyoneissonicetomeinthem，itsetsmetowonderingifintimeIcouldhavemadethembeequallyfriendlyintheothers。"

Ellenlookedatherintrospectively。"Ibelieveyoucould，"sheannouncedatlast。"Butitwouldhavetakentimeandheartache，andyourmindwouldhavebeenlessfreetoworkonyourstudies。Nooneishappywithoutfriends，andIjustsimplycan\'tstudywhenIamunhappy。"

ThatnighttheBirdWomanmadethelasttriptotheswamp。

Everyspecimenshepossiblycouldusehadbeenpurchasedatafairprice，andthreeadditionshadbeenmadetothebankbook，carryingthetotalalittlepasttwohundreddollars。

ThereremainedtheIndianrelicstosellonSaturday，andElnorahadsecuredtheordertofurnishmaterialfornatureworkforthegrades。Lifesuddenlygrewveryfull。

Therewasthemostexcitinglyinterestingworkforeveryhour，andthatworkwastopayhighschoolexpensesandstartthecollegefund。Therewasonelittleriftinherjoy。

Allofitwouldhavebeensomuchbetterifshecouldhavetoldhermother，andgiventhemoneyintoherkeeping；

butthestruggletogetastarthadbeensoterrible，Elnorawasafraidtotaketherisk。Whenshereachedhome，sheonlytoldhermotherthatthelastofthethingshadbeensoldthatevening。

"Ithink，"saidMrs。Comstock，"thatwewillaskWesleytomovethatboxoverherebackofthegardenforyou。

Thereyouareapttogettolledfartherintotheswampthanyouintendtogo，andyoumightmireorsomething。

Thereoughttobejustthesamethingsinourwoods，andalongourswampyplaces，asthereareintheLimberlost。

Can\'tyouhuntyourstuffhere?"

"Icantry，"saidElnora。"Idon\'tknowwhatIcanfinduntilIdo。Ourwoodsareundisturbed，andthereisapossibilitytheymightbeevenbetterhuntingthantheswamp。ButIwouldn\'thaveFreckles\'scasemovedfortheworld。Hemightcomebacksomeday，andnotlikeit。

I\'vetriedtokeephisroomthebestIcould，andtakingouttheboxwouldmakeabigholeinonesideofit。Storeboxesdon\'tcostmuch。IwillhaveUncleWesleybuymeone，andsetitupwhereverhuntinglooksthebest，earlyinthespring。Iwouldfeelsaferathome。"

"Shallwedotheworkorhavesupperfirst?"

"Let\'sdothework，"saidElnora。"Ican\'tsaythatI\'mhungrynow。Doesn\'tseemasifIevercouldbehungryagainwithsuchalunch。IamquitesurenoonecarriedmoredeliciousthingstoeatthanI。"

Mrs。Comstockwaspleased。"Iputinaprettygoodhunkofcake。Didyoudivideitwithanyone?"

"Why，yes，Idid，"admittedElnora。

"Who?"

Thiswasbecominguncomfortable。"Iatethebiggestpiecemyself，"saidElnora，"andgavetheresttoacoupleofboysnamedJimmyandBillyandagirlnamedBelle。

Theysaiditwastheverybestcaketheyevertastedinalltheirlives。"

Mrs。Comstocksatstraight。"Iusedtobeamasterhandatspicecake，"sheboasted。"ButI\'malittleoutofpractice。Imustgettoworkagain。Withtheveryweedsgrowinghigherthanourheads，weshouldraiseplentyofgoodstufftoeatonthisland，ifwecan\'taffordanythingelsebuttaxes。"

Elnoralaughedandhurriedupstairstochangeherdress。

MargaretSintoncamethatnightbringingabeautifulblueoneinitsplace，andcarriedawaytheothertolaunder。

"Doyoumeantosaythosedressesaretobewashedeverytwodays?"questionedMrs。Comstock。

"Theyhavetobe，tolookfresh，"repliedMargaret。

"Wewantourgirlsweetasarose。"

"Well，ofallthings!"criedMrs。Comstock。"Everytwodays!

Anygirlwhocan\'tkeepadresscleanlongerthanthatisadirtygirl。You\'llwearthegoodsoutandfadethecolourswithsomuchwashing。"

"We\'llhaveacleangirl，anyway。"

"Well，ifyoulikethejobyoucanhaveit，"saidMrs。Comstock。

"Idon\'tmindthewashing，butI\'msoinconvenientwithaniron。"

Elnorasatlatethatnightworkingoverherlessons。

Thenextmorningsheputonherbluedressandribbonandinthoseshewasapicture。Mrs。Comstockcaughtherbreathwithaqueerstirringaroundherheart，andlookedtwicetobesureofwhatshesaw。AsElnoragatheredherbookshermothersilentlygaveherthelunchbox。

"Feelsheavy，"saidElnoragaily。"Andsmelly!LikeasnotI\'llbecalledupontodivideagain。"

"Thenyoudivide!"saidMrs。Comstock。"Eatingistheonethingwedon\'thavetoeconomizeon，Elnora。

SpiteofallIcandofoodgoestowasteinthissoileveryday。Ifyoucangivesomeofthosecitychildrenatasteoftherealthing，why，don\'tbeselfish。"

Elnorawentdowntheroadthinkingofthecitychildrenwithwhomsheprobablywoulddivide。Ofcourse，thebridgewouldbeoccupiedagain。Soshestoppedandopenedthebox。

"Idon\'twanttobeselfish，"murmuredElnora，"butitreallyseemsasifIcan\'tgiveawaythislunch。

Ifmotherdidnotputloveintoit，she\'ssubstitutedsomethingthat\'slikelytofoolme。"

Shealmostfeltherstepslaggingassheapproachedthebridge。Averyhungrydoghadbeenaddedtothetrioofchildren。Elnoralovedalldogs，andasusual，thisonecametoherinfriendliness。Thechildrensaid"Goodmorning!"

withalacrity，andanotherpaperparcellayconspicuous。

"Howareyouthismorning?"inquiredElnora。

"Allright!"criedthethree，whilethedogsniffedravenouslyatthelunchbox，andbeataperfecttattoowithhistail。

"Howdidyoulikethebologna?"questionedBillyeagerly。

"Oneofthegirlstookmetolunchatherhomeyesterday，"

answeredElnora。

DawnbrokebeautifullyoverBilly\'sstreakedface。

HecaughtthepackageandthrustittowardElnora。

"Thenmaybeyou\'dliketotrythebolognato-day!"

Thedogleapedingladapprehensionofsomething，andBellescrambledtoherfeetandtookastepforward。

ThelookoffamishedgreedinhereyeswasmorethanElnoracouldendure。Itwasnotthatshecaredforthefoodsomuch。Goodthingstoeathadbeeninabundanceallherlife。Shewantedwiththislunchtotrytoabsorbwhatshefeltmustbeanexpressionofsomesortfromhermother，andifitwerenotamanifestationoflove，shedidnotknowwhattothinkit。Butitwashermotherwhohadsaid"begenerous。"Shekneltonthebridge。

"Keepbackthedog!"shewarnedtheelderboy。

SheopenedtheboxanddividedthemilkbetweenBillyandthegirl。Shegaveeachapieceofcakeleavingoneandasandwich。Billypressedforwardeagerly，bitterdisappointmentonhisface，andtheelderboyforgothischarge。

"Aw，Ithoughtthey\'dbemeat!"lamentedBilly。

Elnoracouldnotendurethat。

"Thereis!"shesaidgladly。"Thereisalittlepigeonbird。

Iwantateenypieceofthebreast，forasortofkeepsake，justonebite，andyoucanhavetherestamongyou"。

Elnoradrewtheknifefromitsholderandcutoffthewishbone。Thensheheldthebirdtowardthegirl。

"Youcandivideit，"shesaid。Thedogmadeaboundandseizingthesquabsprangfromthebridgeandranforlife。Thegirlandboyhurriedafterhim。WithawfuleyesBillystaredandsworetempestuously。Elnoracaughthimandclappedherhandoverthelittlemouth。

Adeliverywagoncametearingdownthestreet，thehorserunningfullspeed，passedthefleeingdogwiththegirlandboyinpursuit，andstoppedatthebridge。Highschoolgirlsbegantorollfromallsidesofit。

"Arescue!Arescue!"theyshouted。

ItwasEllenBrownleeandhercrowd，andeverygirlofthemcarriedabigparcel。Theytookinthesceneastheyapproached。Thefleeingdogwithsomethinginitsmouth，thehalf-nakedgirlandboychasingittoldthestory。Thosegirlsscreamedwithlaughterastheywatchedthepursuit。

"Thankgoodness，Isavedthewishbone!"saidElnora。

"Asusual，Icanprovethattherewasabird。"

Sheturnedtowardthebox。Billyhadimprovedthetime。