第13章

"Yes。IpaidmywaythroughthehighschoolinOnabashawiththem。NowIamstartingacollectionwhichmeanscollege。"

"Onabasha!"saidtheman。"ThatiswhereIamvisiting。

Possiblyyouknowmypeople——Dr。Ammon\'s?Thedoctorismyuncle。MyhomeisinChicago。I\'vebeenhavingtyphoidfever，somethingfierce。Inthehospitalsixweeks。

Didn\'tgainstrengthright，soUncleDocsentforme。

Iamtoliveoutofdoorsallsummer，andexerciseuntilIgetinconditionagain。Doyouknowmyuncle?"

"Yes。HeisAuntMargaret\'sdoctor，andhewouldbeours，onlyweareneverill。"

"Well，youlookit!"saidtheman，appraisingElnoraataglance。

"Strangersalwaysmentionit，"sighedElnora。"Iwonderhowitwouldseemtobeapale，languidladyandrideinacarriage。"

"Askme!"laughedtheman。"Itfeelslikethe——dickens!

I\'msoproudofmyfeet。It\'squiteatricktostandonthemnow。IhavetokeepoutofthewaterallIcanandstoptobabyeveryhalf-mile。ButwithinterestingoutdoorworkI\'llbemyselfinaweek。"

"Doyoucallthatwork?"Elnoraindicatedthecreek。

"Ido，indeed!Nearlythreemiles，bankstoosofttobragonandneverastrike。Wouldn\'tyoucallthathardlabour?"

"Yes，"laughedElnora。"Workatwhichyoumightkillyourselfandnevergetafish。DidanyonetellyouthereweretroutinSleepySnakeCreek?"

"UnclesaidIcouldtry。"

"Oh，youcan，"saidElnora。"Youcantrynoend，butyou\'llnevergetatrout。Thisistoofarsouthandtoowarmforthem。Ifyousitonthebankandusewormsyoumightcatchsomeperchorcatfish。"

"Butthatisn\'texercise。"

"Well，ifyouonlywantexercise，gorightonfishing。

Youwillhaveacreelfullofinvisibleresultseverynight。"

"Iobject，"saidthemanemphatically。HestoppedworkagainandstudiedElnora。Eventhewatchingmothercouldnotblamehim。IntheshadeofthebridgeElnora\'sbrightheadandherlavenderdressmadeapictureworthyofmuchcontemplation。

"Iobject!"repeatedtheman。"WhenIworkIwanttoseeresults。I\'dratherexercisesawingwood，makingonepilegrowlittleandtheotherbigthantocastalldayandcatchnothingbecausethereisnotafishtotake。

Workforwork\'ssakedoesn\'tappealtome。"

Hediggedthegroovearoundthecocoonwithskilledhand。

"Nowthereissomefuninthis!"hesaid。It\'sgoingtobeafairjobtocutitout，butwhenitcomes，itisnotonlybeautiful，butworthaprice；itwillhelpyouonyourway。IthinkI\'llputupmyrodandhuntmoths。

Thatwouldbesomethinglike!Don\'tyouwanthelp?"

Elnoraparriedthequestion。"Haveyoueverhuntedmoths，Mr。Ammon?

"Enoughtoknowtheropesintakingthemandtodistinguishthecommonestones。IgowildonCatocalae。

There\'stoomanyofthem，alltoomuchalikeforPhilip，butIknowallthesefellows。OneflewintomyroomwhenIwasabouttenyearsold，andwethoughtitamiracle。

NoneofuseverhadseenonesowetookitovertothemuseumtoDr。Dorsey。Hesaidtheywerecommonenough，butwedidn\'tseethembecausetheyflewatnight。

Heshowedmethemuseumcollection，andIwassointerestedItookminebackhomeandstartedtohuntthem。

Everyyearafterthatwewenttoourcottageamonthearlier，soIcouldfindthem，andallmyfamilyhelped。

IstucktoituntilIwenttocollege。Then，keepingthelittlemothsoutofthebigoneswastoomuchforthemater，sofatheradvisedthatIdonateminetothemuseum。

Heboughtafinecaseforthemwithmynameonit，whichconstitutesmysolecontributiontoscience。Iknowenoughtohelpyouallright。"

"Aren\'tyougoingnorththisyear?"

"Alldependsonhowthisfeverleavesme。Unclesaysthenightsaretoocoldandthedaystoohotthereforme。HethinksIhadbetterstayinaneventemperatureuntilIamstrongagain。IamgoingtostickprettyclosetohimuntilIknowIam。Iwouldn\'tadmitittoanyoneathome，butIwasalmostgone。Idon\'tbelieveanythingcaneatupnervemuchfasterthantheburningofaslowfever。No，thanks，Ihaveenough。

IstaywithUncleDoc，soifIfeelitcomingagainhecandosomethingquickly。"

"Idon\'tblameyou，"saidElnora。"Ineverhavebeensick，butitmustbedreadful。Iamafraidyouaretiringyourselfoverthat。Letmetaketheknifeawhile。"

"Oh，itisn\'tsobadasthat!Iwouldn\'tbewadingcreeksifitwere。Ionlyneedafewmoredaystogetsteadyonmyfeetagain。I\'llsoonhavethisout。"

"Itiskindofyoutogetit，"saidElnora。"Ishouldhavehadtopeelit，whichwouldspoilthecocoonfora\'

specimenandruinthemoth。"

"Youhaven\'tsaidyetwhetherImayhelpyouwhileIamhere。"

Elnorahesitated。

"Youbettersay`yes，\'"hepersisted。"Itwouldbearealkindness。Itwouldkeepmeoutdoorsalldayandgiveanincentivetowork。I\'mgoodatit。I\'llshowyouifIamnotinaweekorso。Ican`sugar，\'manipulatelights，andmirrors，andalltheexpertmethods。I\'llwager，mothsarenumerousintheoldswampoverthere。"

"Theyare，"saidElnora。"MostIhaveItookthere。

Afewnightsagomymothercaughtanumber，butwedon\'tdaregoalone。"

"Allthemorereasonwhyyouneedme。Wheredoyoulive?Ican\'tgetananswerfromyou，I\'llgotellyourmotherwhoIamandaskherifImayhelpyou。

Iwarnyou，younglady，Ihaveaveryeffectivewaywithmothers。Theyalmostneverturnmedown。"

"Thenit\'sprobableyouwillhaveanewexperiencewhenyoumeetmine，"saidElnora。"Sheneverwasknowntodowhatanyoneexpectedshesurelywould。"

Thecocooncameloose。PhilipAmmonsteppeddowntheembankmentturningtoofferhishandtoElnora。

Sherandownasshewouldhavedonealone，andtakingthecocoonturneditendforendtolearniftheimagoitcontainedwerealive。ThenAmmontookbackthecocoontosmooththeedges。Mrs。Comstockgavethemonelonglookastheystoodthere，andreturnedtoherdandelions。Whilesheworkedshepausedoccasionally，listeningintently。Presentlytheycamedownthecreek，themancarryingthecocoonasifitwereajewel，whileElnoramadeherwayalongthebank，takingalessonincasting。

Herfacewasflushedwithexcitement，hereyesshining，thebushestakinglibertieswithherhair。Forapictureofperfectlovelinessshescarcelycouldhavebeensurpassed，andtheeyesofPhilipAmmonseemedtobeinworkingorder。

"Moth-er!"calledElnora。

Therewasanundulant，caressingsweetnessinthegirl\'svoice，asshesungoutthecallinperfectconfidencethatitwouldbringalovinganswer，thatstruckdeepinMrs。Comstock\'sheart。Sheneverhadheardthatwordsopronouncedbeforeandalumparoseinherthroat。

"Here!"sheanswered，stillcleaningdandelions。

"Mother，thisisMr。PhilipAmmon，ofChicago，"

saidElnora。"HehasbeenillandheisstayingwithDr。AmmoninOnabasha。Hecamedownthecreekfishingandcutthiscocoonfromunderthebridgeforme。

Hefeelsthatitwouldbebettertohuntmothsthantofish，untilheiswell。Whatdoyouthinkaboutit?"

PhilipAmmonextendedhishand。"Iamgladtoknowyou，"hesaid。

"Youmaytakethehand-shakingforgranted，"repliedMrs。Comstock。"Dandelionshaveawayofmakingfingerssticky，andIliketoknowamanbeforeI

takehishand，anyway。Thatintroductionseemsmightycomprehensiveonyourpart，butitstillleavesmeunclassified。MynameisComstock。"

PhilipAmmonbowed。

"Iamsorrytohearyouhavebeensick，"saidMrs。Comstock。

"ButifpeoplewilllivewheretheyhavesuchvilewaterastheydoinChicago，Idon\'tseewhatelsetheyaretoexpect。"

Philipstudiedherintently。

"IamsureIdidn\'thaveafeveronpurpose，"hesaid。

"Youdoseemalittlewobblyonyourlegs，"sheobserved。

"MaybeyouhadbettersitandrestwhileIfinishthesegreens。It\'slateforthegenuinearticle，butintheshade，amonglonggrasstheyarestilltender。"

"MayIhavealeaf?"heasked，reachingforoneashesatonthebank，lookingfromthelittlecreekathisfeet，awaythroughthedimcoolspacesoftheJuneforestontheoppositeside。Hedrewadeepbreath。"Glory，butthisisgoodafteralmosttwomonthsinsidehospitalwalls!"

Hestretchedonthegrassandlaygazingupattheleaves，occasionallyaskingtheinterpretationofabirdnoteortheoriginofanunfamiliarforestvoice。Elnorabeganhelpingwiththedandelions。

"Another，please，"saidtheyoungman，holdingouthishand。

"DoyousupposethisisthekindofgrassNebuchadnezzarate?"Elnoraasked，givingtheleaf。

"Heknewagoodthingifitis。"

"Oh，youshouldtastedandelionsboiledwithbaconandservedwithmother\'scornbread。"

"Don\'t!Myappetiteistwicemysizenow。Whileitis——howfarisittoOnabasha，shortestcut?"

"Threemiles。"

Themanlayinperfectcontent，nibblingleaves。

"Thissurelyisatreat，"hesaid。"Nowonderyoufindgoodhuntinghere。Thereseemstobefoliageforalmosteverykindofcaterpillar。ButIsupposeyouhavetoexchangefornorthernspeciesandPacificCoastkinds?"

"Yes。AndeveryonewantsRegalisintrade。Ineversawthelike。TheyconsideraCecropiaoraPolyphemusaninsult，andaLunaisbarelyacceptable。"

"Whatauthoritieshaveyou?"

Elnorabegantonametext-bookswhichstartedadiscussion。

Mrs。Comstocklistened。Shecleaneddandelionswithgreaterdeliberationthantheyeverbeforewereexamined。

Inrealityshewastakingstockoftheyoungman\'slong，well-proportionedframe，hisstronghands，hissmooth，fine-texturedskin，histhickshockofdarkhair，andmakingmentalnotesofhissimplemanlyspeechandthefactthatheevidentlydidknowmuchaboutmoths。

Itpleasedhertothinkthatifhehadbeenaneighbourboywhohadlainbesidehereverydayofhislifewhilesheworked，hecouldhavebeennomoreathome。Shelikedthethingshesaid，butshewasproudthatElnorahadareadyanswerwhichalwaysseemedappropriate。

AtlastMrs。Comstockfinishedthegreens。

"Youarethreemilesfromthecityandlessthanamilefromwherewelive，"shesaid。"Ifyouwilltellmewhatyoudareeat，Isuspectyouhadbestgohomewithusandrestuntilthecoolofthedaybeforeyoustartback。

Probablysomeonethatyoucanrideinwithwillbepassingbeforeevening。"

"Thatismightykindofyou，"saidPhilip。"IthinkIwill。

Itdoesn\'tmattersomuchwhatIeat，thepointisthatImustbemoderate。Iamhungryallthetime。"

"Thenwewillgo，"saidMrs。Comstock，"andwewillnotallowyoutomakeyourselfsickwithus。"

PhilipAmmonarose:pickingupthepailofgreensandhisfishingrod，hestoodwaiting。Elnoraledtheway。

Mrs。ComstockmotionedPhiliptofollowandshewalkedintherear。Thegirlcarriedthecocoonandtheboxofmothsshehadtaken，searchingeverystepformore。

Theyoungmanfrequentlysetdownhisloadtojoininthepursuitofadragonflyormoth，whileMrs。Comstockwatchedtheproceedingswithsharpeyes。EverytimePhilippickedupthepailofgreensshestruggledtosuppressasmile。

Elnoraproceededslowly，chatteringabouteverythingbesidethetrail。Philipwasinterestedinalltheobjectsshepointedout，noticingseveralthingswhichescapedher。

Hecarriedthegreensascasuallywhentheytookashortcutdowntheroadwayasonthetrail。WhenElnoraturnedtowardthegateofherhomePhilipAmmonstopped，tookalonglookatthebighewedlogcabin，thevineswhichclamberedoverit，theflowergardenablazewithbedsofbrightbloominterspersedwithstrawberriesandtomatoes，thetreesoftheforestrisingnorthandwestlikeagreenwallandexclaimed:"Howbeautiful!"

Mrs。Comstockwaspleased。"Ifyouthinkthat，"shesaid，"perhapsyouwillunderstandhow，inallthispresent-

dayrushtobemodern，IhavepreferredtoremainasIbegan。

MyhusbandandItookupthisland，andenoughtreestobuildthecabin，stable，andoutbuildingsarenearlyallweevercut。Ofcourse，ifhehadlived，Isupposeweshouldhavekeptupwithourneighbours。Ihearconsiderableaboutthevalueoftheland，thetreeswhichareonit，andtheoilwhichissupposedtobeunderit，butasyetIhaven\'tbroughtmyselftochangeanything。

Sowestandforoneofthefewremaininghomesoffirstsettlersinthisregion。Comein。Youareverywelcometowhatwehave。"

Mrs。Comstocksteppedforwardandtookthelead。

Shehadabowlofsoftwaterandapairofbootstoofferfortheheavywaders，foroutercomfort，aglassofcoldbuttermilkandabenchonwhichtorest，inthecirculararbouruntildinnerwasready。PhilipAmmonsplashedinthewater。Hefollowedtothestableandexchangedbootsthere。Hewasravenousforthebuttermilk，andwhenhestretchedonthebenchinthearbourtheflickeringpatchesofsunlightsotantalizedhistiredeyes，whilethebeesmadesuchsplendidmusic，hewassoonsoundasleep。WhenElnoraandhermothercameoutwithatabletheystoodashorttimelookingathim。ItisprobableMrs。Comstockvoicedaunitedthoughtwhenshesaid:"Whatarefined，decentlookingyoungman!Howproudhismothermustbeofhim!Wemustbecarefulwhatwelethimeat。"

ThentheyreturnedtothekitchenwhereMrs。Comstockproceededtobecareful。Shebroiledhamofherownsugar-curing，creamedpotatoes，servedasparagusontoast，andmadeadeliciousstrawberryshortcake。Asshecookeddandelionswithbacon，shefearedtoservethemtohim，soshemadeanexcusethatittooktoolongtopreparethem，blanchedsomeandmadeasalad。WheneverythingwasreadyshetouchedPhilip\'ssleeve。

"Besthavesomethingtoeat，lad，beforeyougettoohungry，"shesaid。

"Pleasehurry!"hebeggedlaughinglyasheheldaplatetowardhertobefilled。"IthoughtIhadenoughself-

restrainttostartoutalone，butIseeIwasmistaken。

Ifyouwouldallowme，justnow，IamafraidIshouldstartafeveragain。Ineverdidsmellfoodsogoodasthis。

It\'smightykindofyoutotakemein。IhopeIwillbemanenoughinafewdaystodosomethingworthwhileinreturn。"

Spotsofsunshinefellonthewhiteclothandbluechina，thebeesandanoccasionalstraybutterflycamesearchingforfood。Arose-breastedgrosbeak，releasedfromathreehours\'siegeofbrooding，whilehisindependentmatetookherbathandrecreation，mountedthetopbranchofamapleinthewestwoodsfromwhichheserenadedthedinnerpartywithajoyfulchorusincelebrationofhisfreedom。

Philip\'seyesstrayedtothebeautifulcabin，tothemixtureofflowersandvegetablesstretchingdowntotheroad，andtothesingingbirdwithhisred-splotchedbreastofwhiteandhesaid:"Ican\'trealizenowthatIeverlayinicepacksinahospital。HowIwishallthesickfolkscouldcomeheretogrowstrong!"

Thegrosbeaksangon，abigTurnusbutterflysailedthroughthearbourandpoisedoverthetable。Elnoraheldupalumpofsugarandthebutterfly，clingingtoherfingers，tasteddaintily。Witheagereyesandpartedlips，thegirlheldsteadily。Whenatlastitwaveredaway，"Thatmadeapicture!"saidPhilip。"AskmesomeothertimehowIlostmyillusionsconcerningbutterflies。

Ialwaysthoughtoftheminconnectionwithsunshine，flowerpollen，andfruitnectar，untilonesadday。"

"Iknow!"laughedElnora。"I\'veseenthat，too，butitdidn\'tdestroyanyillusionforme。Ithinkquiteasmuchofthebutterfliesasever。"

Thentheytalkedofflowers，moths，dragonflies，Indianrelics，andallthenaturalwonderstheswampafforded，strayingfromthosesubjectstobooksandschoolwork。

WhentheyclearedthetablePhilipassisted，carryingseveraltrayloadstothekitchen。HeandElnoramountedspecimenswhileMrsComstockwashedthedishes。Thenshecameoutwitharuffleshewasembroidering。

"IwonderifIdidnotseeapictureofyouinOnabashalastnight，"PhilipsaidtoElnora。"AuntAnnatookmetocallonMissBrownlee。Shewasshowingmehercrowd——ofcourse，itwasyou!Butitdidn\'thalfdoyoujustice，althoughitwasthenearesthumanofanyofthem。

MissBrownleeisveryfondofyou。Shesaidthefinestthings。"

ThentheytalkedofCommencement，andatlastPhilipsaidhemustgoorhisfriendswouldbecomeanxiousabouthim。

Mrs。Comstockbroughthimabluebowlofcreamymilkandaplateofbread。Shestoppedapassingteamandsecuredaridetothecityforhim，ashisexerciseofthemorninghadbeentooviolent，andhewasforcedtoadmithewastired。

"MayIcometo-morrowafternoonandhuntmothsawhile?"

heaskedMrs。Comstockashearose。"Wewill`sugar\'atreeandputalightbesideit，ifIcangetstufftomakethepreparation。Possiblywecantakesomethatway。

Ialwaysenjoymothhunting，I\'dliketohelpMissElnora，anditwouldbeacharitytome。I\'vegottoremainoutdoorssomeplace，andI\'mquitesureI\'dgetwellfasterherethananywhereelse。PleasesayImaycome。"

"Ihavenoobjections，ifElnorareallywouldlikehelp，"

saidMrs。Comstock。

Inherheartshewishedhewouldnotcome。Shewantedhernewlyfoundtreasurealltoherself，foratime，atleast。ButElnora\'swereeager，shiningeyes。

Shethoughtitwouldbesplendidtohavehelp，andgreatfuntotrybookmethodsfortakingmoths，soitwasarranged。AsPhiliprodeaway，Mrs。Comstock\'seyesfollowedhim。"Whataniceyoungman!"shesaid。

"Heseemsfine，"agreedElnora。

"Hecomesofagoodfamily，too。I\'veoftenheardofhisfather。Heisagreatlawyer。"

"Iamgladhelikesithere。Ineedhelp。Possibly——"

"Possiblywhat?"

"Wecanfindmanymoths。"

"Whatdidhemeanaboutthebutterflies?"

"Thathealwayshadconnectedthemwithsunshine，flowers，andfruits，andthoughtofthemasthemostexquisiteofcreations；thenonedayhefoundsomeclusteringthicklyovercarrion。"

"Cometothinkofit，Ihaveseenbutterflies——"

"Sohadhe，"laughedElnora。"Andthatiswhathemeant。"

CHAPTERXIV

WHEREINANEWPOSITIONISTENDEREDELNORA，ANDPHILIPAMMONISSHOWNLIMBERLOSTVIOLETS

ThenextmorningMrs。ComstockcalledtoElnora，"Themailcarrierstoppedatourbox。"

Elnorarandownthewalkandcamebackcarryinganofficialletter。Shetoreitopenandread:

MYDEARMISSCOMSTOCK:

AttheweeklymeetingoftheOnabashaSchoolBoardlastnight，itwasdecidedtoaddthepositionofLectureronNaturalHistorytoourcorpsofcityteachers。Itwillbethedutyofthispersontospendtwohoursaweekineachofthegradeschoolsexhibitingandexplainingspecimensofthemostprominentobjectsinnature:

animals，birds，insects，flowers，vines，shrubs，bushes，andtrees。

Thesespecimensandlecturesshouldbeappropriatetotheseasonsandthecomprehensionofthegrades。Thispositionwasunanimouslyvotedtoyou。Ithinkyouwillfindtheworkdelightfulandmucheasierthantheroutinegrindoftheotherteachers。Itismyadvicethatyouacceptandbegintoprepareyourselfatonce。Yoursalarywillbe$750ayear，andyouwillbeallowed$200forexpensesinprocuringspecimensandbooks。Letusknowatonceifyouwanttheposition，asitisgoingtobedifficulttofillsatisfactorilyifyoudonot。

Verytrulyyours，DAVIDTHOMPSON，President，OnabashaSchools。

"Ihardlyunderstand，"marvelledMrs。Comstock。

"Itisanewposition。Theyneverhavehadanythinglikeitbefore。IsuspectitarosefromthehelpI\'vebeengivingthegradeteachersintheirnaturework。Theyaretryingtoteachthechildrensomething，andhalftheinstructorsdon\'tknowabluejayfromaking-fisher，abeechleaffromanelm，orawaspfromahornet。"

"Well，doyou?"anxiouslyinquiredMrs。Comstock。

"Indeed，Ido!"laughedElnora，"andseveralotherthingsbeside。WhenFrecklesbequeathedmetheswamp，hegavemeabiggerinheritancethanheknew。

WhileyouhavethoughtIwaswanderingaimlessly，I

havebeenfollowingadefiniteplan，studyinghard，andstoringupthestuffthatwillearnthesesevenhundredandfiftydollars。Motherdear，Iamgoingtoacceptthis，ofcourse。Theworkwillbeadelight。I\'dloveitmostofanythinginteaching。Youmusthelpme。

Wemustfindnests，eggs，leaves，queerformationsinplantsandrareflowers。Imusthaveflowerboxesmadeforeachoftheroomsandfilledwithwildthings。

Ishouldbegintogatherspecimensthisveryday。"

Elnora\'sfacewasflushedandhereyesbright。

"Oh，whatgreatworkthatwillbe!"shecried。"YoumustgowithmesoyoucanseethelittlefaceswhenItellthemhowthegoldfinchbuildsitsnest，andhowthebeesmakehoney。"

SoElnoraandhermotherwentintothewoodsbehindthecabintostudynature。

"Ithink，"saidElnora，"theideaistobeginwithfallthingsinthefall，keepingtotheseasonsthroughouttheyear。"

"Whatarefallthings?"inquiredMrs。Comstock。

"Oh，fringedgentians，asters，ironwort，everyfallflower，leavesfromeverytreeandvine，whatmakesthemchangecolour，abandonedbirdnests，winterquartersofcaterpillarsandinsects，whatbecomesofthebutterfliesandgrasshoppers——myriadsofstuff。Ishallhavetobeverywisetoselectthethingsitwillbemostbeneficialforthechildrentolearn。"

"CanIreallyhelpyou?"Mrs。Comstock\'sstrongfacewaspathetic。

"Indeed，yes!"criedElnora。"Inevercangetthroughitalone。Therewillbeanimmenseamountofworkconnectedwithsecuringandpreparingspecimens。"

Mrs。Comstockliftedherheadproudlyandbegandoingbusinessatonce。Hersharpeyesrangedfromearthtoheaven。Sheinvestigatedeverything，askinginnumerablequestions。AtnoonMrs。Comstocktookthespecimenstheyhadcollected，andwenttopreparedinner，whileElnorafollowedthewoodsdowntotheSintons\'toshowherletter。

Shehadtoexplainwhatbecameofhermoths，andwhycollegewouldhavetobeabandonedforthatyear，butMargaretandWesleyvowednottotell。Wesleywavedtheletterexcitedly，explainingittoMargaretasifitwereapersonalpossession。Margaretwasdeeplyimpressed，whileBillyvolunteeredfirstaidingatheringmaterial。

"Nowanythingyouwantintheground，Snapcandigitout，"hesaid。"UncleWesleyandIfoundaholethreetimesasbigasSnap，thathedugattherootsofatree。"

"Wewilltrainhimtohuntpupaecases，"saidElnora。

"Areyougoingtothewoodsthisafternoon?"askedBilly。

"Yes，"answeredElnora。"Dr。Ammon\'snephewfromChicagoisvisitinginOnabasha。Heisgoingtoshowmehowmenputsomesortofcompoundonatree，hangalightbesideit，andtakemothsthatway。Itwillbeinterestingtowatchandlearn。"

"MayIcome?"askedBilly。

"Ofcourseyoumaycome!"answeredElnora。

"IsthisnephewofDr。Ammonayoungman?"inquiredMargaret。

"Abouttwenty-six，Ishouldthink，"saidElnora。

"Hesaidhehadbeenoutofcollegeandatworkinhisfather\'slawofficethreeyears。"

"Doesheseemnice?"askedMargaret，andWesleysmiled。

"Finestkindofaperson，"saidElnora。"Hecanteachmesomuch。Itisveryinterestingtohearhimtalk。Heknowsconsiderableaboutmothsthatwillbeahelptome。Hehadafeverandhehastostayoutdoorsuntilhegrowsstrongagain。"

"Billy，Iguessyoubetterhelpmethisafternoon，"

saidMargaret。"MaybeElnorahadrathernotbotherwithyou。"

"There\'snoreasononearthwhyBillyshouldnotcome!"criedElnora，andWesleysmiledagain。

"ImusthurryhomeorIwon\'tbeready，"sheadded。

Hasteningdowntheroadsheenteredthecabin，herfaceglowing。

"Ithoughtyouneverwouldcome，"saidMrs。Comstock。

"Ifyoudon\'thurryMr。Ammonwillbeherebeforeyouaredressed。"

"Iforgotabouthimuntiljustnow，"saidElnora。

"Iamnotgoingtodress。He\'snotcomingtovisit。

Weareonlygoingtothewoodsformorespecimens。

Ican\'twearanythingthatrequirescare。Thelimbstakethemostdreadfullibertieswithhairandclothing。"

Mrs。Comstockopenedherlips，lookedatElnoraandclosedthem。InherheartshewaspleasedthatthegirlwassointerestedinherworkthatshehadforgottenPhilipAmmon\'scoming。Butitdidseemtoherthatsuchapleasantyoungmanshouldhavebeengreetedbyagirlinafreshdress。"Ifsheisn\'tdisposedtoprimpatthecomingofaman，heavenforbidthatIshouldbetheonetostarther，"thoughtMrs。Comstock。

Philipcamewhistlingdownthewalkbetweenthecinnamonpinks，pansies，andstrawberries。Hecarriedseveralpackages，whilehisfaceflushedwithmorecolourthanonthepreviousday。

"Onlyseewhathashappenedtome!"criedElnora，offeringherletter。

"I\'llwagerIknow!"answeredPhilip。"Isn\'titgreat!

EveryoneinOnabashaistalkingaboutit。Atlastthereissomethingnewunderthesun。Allofthemarepleased。

Theythinkyou\'llmakeabigsuccess。Thiswillgiveanincentivetowork。InafewdaysmoreI\'llbemyselfagain，andwe\'lloverturnthefieldsandwoodsaroundhere。"

HewentontocongratulateMrs。Comstock。

"Aren\'tyouproudofher，though?"heasked。"Youshouldhearwhatfolksaresaying!Theysayshecreatedthenecessityfortheposition，andeveryoneseemstofeelthatitisanecessity。Now，ifshesucceeds，andshewill，alloftheothercityschoolswillhavesuchdepartments，andfirstthingyouknowshewillhavemadethewholeworldalittlebetter。Letmerestafewseconds；myfeetareactingupagain。Thenwewillcookthemothcompoundandputittocool。"

Helaughedashesatbreathingshortly。

"Itdoesn\'tseempossiblethatafellowcouldlosehisstrengthlikethis。Mykneesareactuallytrembling，butI\'llbeallrightinaminute。UncleDocsaidI

couldcome。Itoldhimhowyoutookcareofme，andhesaidIwouldbesafehere。"

ThenhebeganunwrappingpackagesandexplainingtoMrs。Comstockhowtocookthecompoundtoattractthemoths。Hefollowedherintothekitchen，kindledthefire，andstirredthepreparationashetalked。

Whilethemixturecooled，heandElnorawalkedthroughthevegetablegardenbehindthecabinandstrayedfromthereintothewoods。

"Whataboutcollege?"heasked。"MissBrownleesaidyouweregoing。"

"Ihadhopedto，"repliedElnora，"butIhadastreakofdreadfulluck，soI\'llhavetowaituntilnextyear。

Ifyouwon\'tspeakofit，I\'lltellyou。"

Philippromised，soElnorarecitedthehistoryoftheYellowEmperor。ShewassointerestedindoingtheEmperorjusticeshedidnotnoticehowmanypersonalitieswentintothestory。Afewpertinentquestionstoldhimtheremainder。Helookedatthegirlinwonder。

Infaceandformshewasaslovelyasanyoneofherageandtypeheeverhadseen。Herschoolworkfarsurpassedthatofmostgirlsofherageheknew。Shedifferedinotherways。Thisvaststoreoflearningshehadgatheredfromfieldandforestwasawealthofattractionnoothergirlpossessed。Herfrank，matter-of-factmannerwasaninheritancefromhermother，buttherewassomethingmore。

Once，astheytalkedhethought"sympathy"wasthewordtodescribeitandagain"comprehension。"Sheseemedtopossessalargesenseofbrotherhoodforallhumanandanimatecreatures。Shespoketohimasifshehadknownhimallherlife。Shetalkedtothegrosbeakinexactlythesamemanner，asshelaidstrawberriesandpotatobugsonthefenceforhisfamily。Shedidnotswerveaninchfromherwaywhenasnakeslidpasther，whilethesquirrelscamedownfromthetreesandtookcornfromherfingers。

Shemightaswellhavebeenaboy，solackingwassheinanytouchoffemininecoquetrytowardhim。Hestudiedherwonderingly。Astheywentalongthepaththeyreachedalargeslime-coveredpoolsurroundedbydecayingstumpsandlogsthicklycoveredwithwaterhyacinthsandblueflags。

Philipstopped。

"Isthattheplace?"heasked。

Elnoraassented。"Thedoctortoldyou?"

"Yes。Itwastragic。Isthatpoolreallybottomless?"

"Sofarasweeverhavebeenabletodiscover。"

Philipstoodlookingatthewater，whilethelong，sweetgrasses，thicklysprinkledwithblueflagbloom，overwhichwildbeesclambered，swayedaroundhisfeet。Thenheturnedtothegirl。Shehadworkedhard。Thesamelavenderdressshehadwornthepreviousdayclungtoherinlimpcondition。Butshewasasevenlycolouredandofasfinegrainasawildrosepetal，herhairwasreallybrown，butneverwassuchhairtouchedwitharedderglory，whileherheavyarchingbrowsaddedalookofstrengthtoherbiggray-blueeyes。

"Andyouwerebornhere?"

Hehadnotintendedtovoicethatthought。

"Yes，"shesaid，lookingintohiseyes。"Justintimetopreventmymotherfromsavingthelifeofmyfather。

Shecamenearneverforgivingme。"

"Ah，cruel!"criedPhilip。

"Ifindmuchinlifethatiscruel，fromourstandpoints，"

saidElnora。"IttakesthelargewisdomoftheUnfathomable，thephilosophyoftheAlmighty，toenduresomeofit。

Butthereisalwaysrightsomewhere，andatlastitseemstocome。"

"Willitcometoyou?"askedPhilip，whofoundhimselfdeeplyaffected。

"Ithascome，"saidthegirlserenely。"Itcameaweekago。

ItcameinfullestmeasurewhenmymotherceasedtoregretthatIhadbeenborn。Now，workthatIlovehascome——thatshouldconstitutehappiness。Alittlefartheralongismyvioletbed。Iwantyoutoseeit。"

AsPhilipAmmonfollowedhedefinitelysettleduponthenameoftheunusualfeatureofElnora\'sface。Itshouldbecalled"experience。"Shehadknownbitterexperiencesearlyinlife。Sufferinghadbeenherfamiliarmorethanjoy。

Hewatchedherearnestly，hisheartdeeplymoved。Sheledhimintoaswampyhalf-openspaceinthewoods，stoppedandsteppedaside。Heutteredacryofsurpriseddelight。

Afewdecayinglogswerescatteredaround，thegrassgrewintuftslongandfine。Blueflagswaved，clustersofcowslipsnoddedgoldheads，butthewholeearthwaspurplewithathickblanketofvioletsnoddingfromstemsafootinlength。Elnorakneltandslippingherfingersbetweentheleavesandgrassestotheroots，gatheredafewvioletsandgavethemtoPhilip。

"Canyourcitygreenhousessurpassthem?"sheasked。

Hesatonalogtoexaminetheblooms。

"Theyaresuperb!"hesaid。"Ineversawsuchlengthofstemorsuchrankleaves，whiletheflowersarethedeepestblue，thetruestvioletIeversawgrowingwild。

TheyarecolouredexactlyliketheeyesofthegirlIamgoingtomarry。"

Elnorahandedhimseveralotherstoaddtothoseheheld。

"Shemusthavewonderfuleyes，"shecommented。

"Nootherblueeyesarequitesobeautiful，"hesaid。

"Infact，sheisaltogetherlovely。"

"Isitcustomaryforamantothinkthegirlheisgoingtomarrylovely?IwonderifIshouldfindherso。"

"Youwould，"saidPhilip。"Nooneeverfailsto。Sheistallasyou，veryslender，butperfectlyrounded；youknowabouthereyes；herhairisblackandwavy——whilehercomplexionisclearandflushedwithred。"

"Why，shemustbethemostbeautifulgirlinthewholeworld!"shecried。

"No，indeed!"hesaid。"Sheisnotaparticlebetterlookinginherwaythanyouareinyours。Sheisatypeofdarkbeauty，butyouareequallyasperfect。Sheisunusualinhercombinationofblackhairandvioleteyes，althougheveryonethinksthemblackatalittledistance。

Youarequiteasunusualwithyourfairface，blackbrows，andbrownhair；indeed，Iknowmanypeoplewhowouldpreferyourbrightheadtoherdarkone。It\'sallaquestionoftaste——andbeingengagedtothegirl，"headded。

"Thatwouldbelikelytoprejudiceone，"laughedElnora。

"Edithhasabirthdaysoon；iftheselastwillyouletmehaveaboxofthemtosendher?"

"Iwillhelpgatherandpackthemforyou，sotheywillcarrynicely。Doesshehuntmothswithyou?"

BackwentPhilipAmmon\'sheadinagaleoflaughter。

"No!"hecried。"Shesaystheyare`creepy。\'ShewouldgointoaspasmifshewerecompelledtotouchthosecaterpillarsIsawyouhandlingyesterday。"

"Whywouldshe?"marvelledElnora。"Haven\'tyoutoldherthattheyareperfectlyclean，helpless，andharmlessassomuchanimatevelvet?"

"No，Ihavenottoldher。Shewouldn\'tcareenoughaboutcaterpillarstolisten。"

"Inwhatissheinterested?"

"WhatinterestsEdithCarr?Letmethink!First，I

believeshetakesprideinbeingalittlehandsomerandbetterdressedthananygirlofherset。Sheisinterestedinhavingabeautifulhome，fineappointments，inbeingpetted，praised，andtheacknowledgedleaderofsociety。

"Shelikestofindnewthingswhichamuseher，andtoalwaysandinallcircumstanceshaveherownwayabouteverything。"

"Goodgracious!"criedElnora，staringathim。"Butwhatdoesshedo?Howdoesshespendhertime?"

"Spendhertime!"repeatedPhilip。"Well，shewouldcallthatajoke。Herdaysareneverlongenough。Thereisendlessshopping，tofindtheprettythings；regularvisitstothedressmakers，calls，parties，theatres，entertainments。

Sheisalwaysrushed。IneveramabletobewithherhalfasmuchasIwouldlike。"

"ButImeanwork，"persistedElnora。"Inwhatissheinterestedthatisusefultotheworld?"

"Me!"criedPhilippromptly。

"Icanunderstandthat，"laughedElnora。"WhatI

can\'tunderstandishowyoucanbein——"Shestoppedinconfusion，butshesawthathehadfinishedthesentenceasshehadintended。"Ibegyourpardon!"shecried。"Ididn\'tintendtosaythat。ButIcannotunderstandthesepeopleIhearaboutwholiveonlyfortheirownamusement。

Perhapsitisverygreat；I\'llneverhaveachancetoknow。

Tome，itseemstheonlypleasureinthisworldworthhavingisthejoywederivefromlivingforthosewelove，andthosewecanhelp。Ihopeyouarenotangrywithme。"

Philipsatsilentlylookingfaraway，withdeepthoughtinhiseyes。

"Youareangry，"falteredElnora。

Hislookcamebacktoherasshekneltbeforehimamongtheflowersandhegazedathersteadily。

"NodoubtIshouldbe，"hesaid，"butthefactisI

amnot。Icannotunderstandalifepurelyforpersonalpleasuremyself。Butsheisonlyagirl，andthisisherplaytime。Whensheisawomaninherownhome，thenshewillbedifferent，willshenot?"

Elnoraneverresembledhermothersocloselyaswhensheansweredthatquestion。

"Iwouldhavetobewellacquaintedwithhertoknow，butIshouldhopeso。Tomakearealhomeforatiredbusinessmanisaverydifferentkindofworkfromthatrequiredtobealeaderofsociety。Itdemandsdifferenttalentandeducation。Ofcourse，shemeanstochange，orshewouldnothavepromisedtomakeahomeforyou。Isuspectourdopeiscoolnow，let\'sgotryforsomebutterflies。"

AstheywentalongthepathtogetherElnoratalkedofmanythingsbutPhilipansweredabsently。Evidentlyhewasthinkingofsomethingelse。Butthemothbaitrecalledhimandhewasreadyforworkastheymadetheirwaybacktothewoods。HewantedtotrytheLimberlost，butElnorawasfirmaboutremainingonhomeground。

Shedidnottellhimthatlightshungintheswampwouldbeasignaltocallupabandofmenwhosepresenceshedreaded。Sotheystarted，Ammoncarryingthedope，Elnorathenet，BillyandMrs。Comstockfollowingwithcyanideboxesandlanterns。

Firsttheytriedforbutterfliesandcapturedseveralfineoneswithouttrouble。Theyalsocalledswarmsofants，bees，beetles，andflies。Whenitgrewdusk，Mrs。ComstockandPhilipwenttopreparesupper。ElnoraandBillyremaineduntilthebutterfliesdisappeared。Thentheylightedthelanterns，repaintedthetreesandfollowedthehometrail。

"Doyou\'specyou\'llgetjustalotofmoths?"askedBilly，ashewalkedbesideElnora。

"IamsureIhardlyknow，"saidthegirl。"Thisisanewwayforme。Perhapstheywillcometothelights，butfewmothseat；andIhavesomedoubtaboutthosewhichthelightsattractsettlingontherighttrees。Maybethesmellofthatdopewilldrawthem。Betweenus，Billy，I

thinkIlikemyoldwaybest。IfIcanfindahiddenmoth，slipupandcatchitunawares，ortakeitinfullflight，it\'smycaptive，andIcankeepituntilitdiesnaturally。

Butthiswayyouseemtogetitunderfalsepretences，ithasnochance，anditwillprobablyruinitswingsstrugglingforfreedombeforemorning。"

"Well，anymothoughttobeproudtobetakenanyway，byyou，"saidBilly。"Justlookwhatyoudo!Youcanmakeeverybodylovethem。Peopleevenquithatingcaterpillarswhentheyseeyouhandlethemandhearyoutellallaboutthem。Youmusthavesometoshowpeoplehowtheyare。It\'snotlikekillingthingstoseeifyoucan，orbecauseyouwanttoeatthem，thewaymostmenkillbirds。Ithinkitisrightforyoutotakeenoughforcollections，toshowcitypeople，andtoillustratetheBirdWoman\'sbooks。Yougoonandtakethem!Themothsdon\'tcare。They\'regladtohaveyou。Theylikeit!"