第15章

Ineverheardmusiclikethat。Nowondershelovedhim。

Everyonewhoknewhimdid，andtheydoyet。Trythatlog，itmakesafairlygoodseat。Thisoldstoreboxwashistreasurehouse，justasit\'snowmine。Iwillshowyoumydearestpossession。Idonotdaretakeithomebecausemothercan\'tovercomeherdislikeforit。

Itwasmyfather\'s，andinsomewaysIamlikehim。

Thisisthestrongest。"

Elnoraliftedtheviolinandbegantoplay。Sheworeaschooldressofgreengingham，withthesleevesrolledtotheelbows。Sheseemedapartofthesettingallaroundher。

Herheadshonelikeasmalldarksun，andherfaceneverhadseemedsorose-flushedandfair。Fromtheinstantshedrewthebow，herlipspartedandhereyesturnedtowardsomethingfarawayintheswamp，andneverdidshegivemoreofthatimpressionoffeelingforhernotesandrepeatingsomethingaudibleonlytoher。Philipwastooclosetogetthebesteffect。Hearoseandsteppedbackseveralyards，leaningagainstalargetree，lookingandlisteningintently。

AshechangedpositionshesawthatMrs。Comstockhadfollowedthem，andwasstandingonthetrail，whereshecouldnothavehelpedhearingeverythingElnorahadsaid。

SotoPhilipbeforeherandthemotherwatchingonthetrail，ElnoraplayedtheSongoftheLimberlost。Itseemedasiftheswamphushedallitsothervoicesandspokeonlythroughherdancingbow。Themotheroutonthetrailhadhearditall，oncebeforefromthegirl，manytimesfromherfather。Tothemanitwasarevelation。

HestoodsostunnedheforgotMrs。Comstock。Hetriedtorealizewhatacityaudiencewouldsaytothatmusic，fromsuchaplayer，withasimilarbackground，andhecouldnotimagine。

Hewaswonderingwhathedaredsay，howmuchhemightexpress，whenthelastnotefellandthegirllaidtheviolininthecase，closedthedoor，lockeditandhidthekeyintherottingwoodattheendofalog。Thenshecametohim。Philipstoodlookingathercuriously。

"Iwonder，"hesaid，"whatpeoplewouldsaytothat?"

"Iplayedthatinpubliconce，"saidElnora。"Ithinktheylikedit，fairlywell。IhadanoteyesterdayofferingmetheleadershipofthehighschoolorchestrainOnabasha。

Icantakeitaswellasnot。Noneofmytalkstothegradescomethefirstthinginthemorning。Icanplayafewminutesintheorchestraandreachtheroomsinplentyoftime。ItwillbemoreworkthatIlove，andlikefindingthemoney。Iwouldgladlyplayfornothing，merelytobeabletoexpressmyself。"

"Withsomepeopleitmakesaregularbattlefieldofthehumanheart——thisstruggleforself-expression，"saidPhilip。

"Youaregoingtodobeautifulworkintheworld，anddoitwell。WhenIrealizethatyourviolinbelongedtoyourfather，thatheplayeditbeforeyouwereborn，anditnodoubtaffectedyourmotherstrongly，andthencouplewiththattheyearsyouhaveroamedthesefieldsandswampsfindinginnatureallyouhadtolavishyourheartupon，Icanseehowyouevolved。Iunderstandwhatyoumeanbyself-expression。Iknowsomethingofwhatyouhavetoexpress。Theworldneversowantedyourmessageasitdoesnow。Itishungryforthethingsyouknow。

Icanseeeasilyhowyourpositioncametoyou。Whatyouhavetogiveistaughtinnocollege，andIamnotsurebutyouwouldspoilyourselfifyoutriedtorunyourmindthroughasetgroovewithhundredsofothers。IneverthoughtIshouldsaysuchathingtoanyone，butIdosaytoyou，andIhonestlybelieveit；giveupthecollegeidea。

Yourminddoesnotneedthatsortofdevelopment。Stickclosetoyourworkinthewoods。Youarebecomingsoinfinitelygreateronit，thanthebestcollegegirlIeverknew，thatthereisnocomparison。Whenyouhavemoneytospend，takethatviolinandgotooneoftheworld\'sgreatmastersandlettheLimberlostsingtohim；ifhethinkshecanimproveit，verywell。Ihavemydoubts。"

"Doyoureallymeanthatyouwouldgiveupallideaofgoingtocollege，inmyplace?"

"Ireallymeanit，"saidPhilip。"IfInowheldthemoneyinmyhandstosendyou，andcouldgiveittoyouinsomewayyouwouldacceptIwouldnot。Idonotknowwhyitisthefateoftheworldalwaystowantsomethingdifferentfromwhatlifegivesthem。Ifyouonlycouldrealizeit，mygirl，youareincollege，andhavebeenalways。Youareintheschoolofexperience，andithastaughtyoutothink，andgivenyouaheart。

GodknowsIenvythemanwhowinsit!YouhavebeeninthecollegeoftheLimberlostallyourlife，andInevermetagraduatefromanyotherinstitutionwhocouldbegintocomparewithyouinsanity，clarity，andinterestingknowledge。

Iwouldn\'tevenadviseyoutoreadtoomanybooksonyourlines。

Youacquireyourmaterialfirsthand，andyouknowthatyouareright。Whatyoushoulddoistobeginearlytopractiseself-expression。Don\'twaittoolongtotellusaboutthewoodsasyouknowthem。"

"FollowthecourseoftheBirdWoman，youmean?"

askedElnora。

"Inyourownway；withyourownlight。Shewon\'tliveforever。Youareyounger，andyouwillbereadytobeginwheresheends。Theswamphasgivenyouallyouneedsofar；nowyougiveittotheworldinpayment。

Collegebeconfounded!Gotoworkandshowpeoplewhatthereisinyou!"

NotuntilthendidherememberMrs。Comstock。

"Shouldwegoouttothetrailandseeifyourmotheriscoming?"heasked。

"Heresheisnow，"saidElnora。"Gracious，it\'samercyIgotthatviolinputawayintime!Ididn\'texpecthersosoon，"whisperedthegirlassheturnedandwenttowardhermother。Mrs。Comstock\'sexpressionwaspeculiarasshelookedatElnora。

"Iforgotthatyouweremakingsun-preservesandtheydidn\'trequiremuchcooking，"shesaid。"Weshouldhavewaitedforyou。"

"Notatall!"answeredMrs。Comstock。"Haveyoufoundanythingyet?"

"NothingthatIcanshowyou，"saidElnora。"IamalmostsureIhavefoundanideathatwillrevolutionizethewholecourseofmywork，thought，andambitions。"

"`Ambitions!\'My，whataheftyword!"laughedMrs。Comstock。

"Nowwhowouldsuspectalittlered-hairedcountrygirlofharbouringsuchadeadlygerminherbody?Canyoutellmotheraboutit?"

"Notifyoutalktomethatway，Ican\'t，"saidElnora。

"Well，Iguesswebetterletambitionlie。I\'vealwayshearditwassafestasleep。Ifyouevergetabonafideattack，itwillbetimetoattendit。Let\'shuntspecimens。

ItisJune。PhilipandIareinthegrades。Youhaveanhourtoputanideaintoourheadsthatwillstickforalifetime，andgrowforgood。That\'sthewayIlookatyourjob。Now，whatareyougoingtogiveus?Wedon\'twantanyoldsillystuffthathasbeenhashedoverandover，wewantabignewideatoplantinourhearts。Comeon，MissTeacher，whatistheboiled-down，double-distilledessenceofJune?Giveittousstrong。Wearelargeenoughtofurnishitdevelopingground。

Hurryup!Timeisshortandwearewaiting。WhatisthemiracleofJune?Whatonethingepitomizesthewholemonth，andmakesitjustalittledifferentfromanyother?"

"Thebirthofthesebignightmoths，"saidElnorapromptly。

Philipclappedhishands。ThetearsstartedtoMrs。

Comstock\'seyes。ShetookElnorainherarms，andkissedherforehead。

"You\'lldo!"shesaid。"JuneisJune，notbecauseithasbloom，bird，fruit，orflower，exclusivetoitalone。

It\'shalfMayandhalfJulyinallofthem。Buttome，it\'sjustJune，whenitcomestothesegreat，velvet-wingednightmothswhichsweepitsmoonlitskies，consummatingtheirschemeofcreation，anddroppinglikeabloomed-

outflower。GivethemmothsforJune。Thenmakethatthebasisofyouryear\'swork。Findthedistinctivefeatureofeachmonth，theonethingwhichmarksitatimeapart，andhitthemsquarelybetweentheeyeswithit。Eventhebabiesofthelowestgradescancomprehendmothswhentheyseeafewemerge，andlearntheirhistory，asitcanbelivedbeforethem。Youshouldshowyourspecimensinpairs，thentheireggs，thegrowingcaterpillars，andthenthecocoons。Youwanttodigouttheredheartofeverymonthintheyear，andholditpulsingbeforethem。

"Ican\'tnameallofthemoff-hand，butIthinkofonemorerightnow。Februarybelongstoourwinterbirds。

Itisthenthegreathornedowloftheswampcourtshismate，thebighawkspair，andeventhecrowsbegintotakenotice。Thesearetrulyourbirds。Likethepoorwehavethemalwayswithus。YoushouldhearthemusiciansofthisswampinFebruary，Philip，onamellownight。

Oh，buttheyareinearnest!Fortwenty-oneyearsI\'velistenedbynighttothegreatowls，allthesmallersizes，thefoxes，coons，andeveryresidentleftinthesewoods，andbydaytothehawks，yellow-hammers，sap-suckers，titmice，crows，andotherwinterbirds。Onlyjustnowit\'scometomethatthedistinctivefeatureofFebruaryisnotlinenbleaching，norsugarmaking；it\'sthelovemonthofourveryownbirds。GivethemhawksandowlsforFebruary，Elnora。"

WithflashingeyesthegirllookedatPhilip。"How\'sthat?"

shesaid。"Don\'tyouthinkIwillsucceed，withsuchhelp?

Youshouldheartheconcertsheistalkingabout!Itissimplyindescribablewhenthegroundiscoveredwithsnow，andthemoonlightwhite。"

"It\'saboutthebestmusicwehave，"saidMrs。Comstock。

"Iwonderifyoucouldn\'tcopythatandmakeastrong，originalpieceoutofitforyourviolin，Elnora?"

Therewasonetensebreath，then——"Icouldtry，"saidElnorasimply。

Philiprushedtotherescue。"Wemustgotowork，"hesaid，andbeganexaminingawalnutbranchforLunamotheggs。

ElnorajoinedhimwhileMrs。Comstockdrewherembroideryfromherpocketandsatonalog。Shesaidshewastired，theycouldcomeforherwhentheywerereadytogo。

Shecouldheartheirvoicesaroundheruntilshecalledthematsuppertime。Whentheycametohershestoodwaitingonthetrail，thesewinginonehand，theviolinintheother。Elnorabecameverywhite，butfollowedthetrailwithoutaword。Philip，unabletoseeawomancarryaheavierloadthanhe，reachedfortheinstrument。Mrs。Comstockshookherhead。Shecarriedtheviolinhome，tookitintoherroomandclosedthedoor。

ElnoraturnedtoPhilip。

"Ifshedestroysthat，Ishalldie!"criedthegirl。

"Shewon\'t!"saidPhilip。"Youmisunderstandher。

Shewouldn\'thavesaidwhatshedidabouttheowls，ifshehadmeantto。Sheisyourmother。Noonelovesyouasshedoes。Trusther!Myself——Ithinkshe\'ssimplygreat!"

Mrs。Comstockreturnedwithsereneface，andallofthemhelpedwiththesupper。WhenitwasoverPhilipandElnorasortedandclassifiedtheafternoon\'sspecimens，andmadeatriptothewoodstopaintandlightseveraltreesformoths。WhentheycamebackMrs。Comstocksatinthearbour，andtheyjoinedher。Themoonlightwassointense，printcouldhavebeenreadbyit。

Thedampnightairheldodoursneartoearth，makingflowerandtreeperfumestrong。Athousandinsectswereserenading，andinthemaplethegrosbeakoccasionallysaidareassuringwordtohiswife，whilesheansweredthatallwaswell。Awhip-poor-willwailedintheswampandbesidetheblue-borderedpoolachatcomplaineddisconsolately。

Mrs。Comstockwentintothecabin，butshereturnedimmediately，layingtheviolinandbowacrossElnora\'slap。"Iwishyouwouldgiveusalittlemusic，"shesaid。

CHAPTERXVII

WHEREINMRS。COMSTOCKDANCESINTHEMOONLIGHT，ANDELNORAMAKESACONFESSION

Billywasswinginginthehammock，atpeacewithhimselfandalltheworld，whenhethoughtheheardsomething。

Hesatboltupright，hiseyesstaring。Onceheopenedhislips，thenthoughtagainandclosedthem。

Thesoundpersisted。Billyvaultedthefence，andrandowntheroadwithhisqueersidewisehop。

WhenhenearedtheComstockcabin，heleftthewarmdustofthehighwayandsteppedsoftlyatslowerpaceovertherankgrassesoftheroadside。Hehadheardaright。Theviolinwasinthegrapearbour，singingaperfectjumbleofeverything，pouredoutinanexultanttumult。Thestringswerevoicingthejoyofahappygirlheart。

Billyclimbedthefenceenclosingthewestwoodsandcrepttowardthearbour。Hewasnotaspyandnotasneak。

Hemerelywantedtosatisfyhischild-heartastowhetherMrs。Comstockwasathome，andElnoraatlastplayingherlovedviolinwithhermother\'sconsent。

Onepeepsufficed。Mrs。Comstocksatinthemoonlight，herheadleaningagainstthearbour；onherfacewasalookofperfectpeaceandcontentment。AshestaredatherthebowhesitatedasecondandMrs。Comstockspoke:

"That\'sallverymelodiousandsweet，"shesaid，"butI

dowishyoucouldplayMoneyMuskandsomeofthetunesIdancedasagirl。"

Elnorahadbeencarefullyavoidingeverynotethatmightbereminiscentofherfather。Atthewordsshelaughedsoftlyandbegan"TurkeyintheStraw。"

AninstantlaterMrs。Comstockwasdancinginthemoonlight。Ammonsprangtoherside，caughtherinhisarms，whiletoElnora\'slaughterandtheviolin\'simpetustheydanceduntiltheydroppedpantingonthearbourbench。

Billyscarcelyknewwhenhereachedtheroad。Hislightfeetbarelytouchedthesoftway，soswiftlyheflew。

Hevaultedthefenceandburstintothehouse。

"AuntMargaret!UncleWesley!"hescreamed。"Listen!

Listen!She\'splayingit!Elnora\'splayingherviolinathome!AndAuntKateisdancinglikeanythingbeforethearbour!Isawherinthemoonlight!Irandown!

Oh，AuntMargaret!"

BillyfledsobbingtoMargaret\'sbreast。

"WhyBilly!"shechided。"Don\'tcry，youlittledunce!

That\'swhatwe\'veallprayedforthesemanyyears；butyoumustbemistakenaboutKate。Ican\'tbelieveit。"

Billyliftedhishead。"Well，youjusthaveto!"hesaid。

"WhenIsayIsawanything，UncleWesleyknowsIdid。

Thecitymanwasdancingwithher。TheydancedtogetherandElnoralaughed。Butitdidn\'tlookfunnytome；

Iwasscared。"

"Whowasitsaid`wondersnevercease，\'"askedWesley。

"Youmarkmyword，onceyougetKateComstockstarted，youcan\'tstopher。There\'sawagonloadofpenned-upforceinher。Dancinginthemoonlight!Well，I\'llbehanged!"

Billywasathissideinstantly。"Whoeverdoesitwillhavetohangme，too，"hecried。

SintonthrewhisarmaroundBillyanddrewhimclosely。

"Tellusallaboutit，son，"hesaid。Billytold。"AndwhenElnorajuststoppedabreath，`Can\'tyouplaysomeoftheoldthingsIknewwhenIwasagirl?\'saidherma。

ThenElnorabegantodoathingthatmadeyouwanttowhirlroundandround，andquicker\'anscattherewashermaa-whirling。Thecityman，heupsandgrabsherandwhirls，too，andbackinthewoodsIwasgoingjustliketheydid。Elnorabeginstolaugh，andIrantotellyou，cosIknewyou\'dliketoknow。Now，alltheworldisright，ain\'tit?"endedBillyinsupremesatisfaction。

"Youjustbetitis!"saidWesley。

BillylookedsteadilyatMargaret。"Isit，AuntMargaret?"

MargaretSintonsmiledathimbravely。

AnhourlaterwhenBillywasreadytoclimbthestairstohisroom，hewenttoMargarettosaygoodnight。

Heleanedagainstheraninstant，thenbroughthislipstoherear。"WishIcouldgetyourlittlegirlsbackforyou!"hewhisperedanddashedtowardthestairs。

DownattheComstockcabintheviolinplayedonuntilElnorawassotiredshescarcelycouldliftthebow。

ThenPhilipwenthome。Thewomenwalkedtothegatewithhim，andstoodwatchinghimfromsight。

"That\'swhatIcallonedecentyoungman!"saidMrs。Comstock。"Toseehimfitinwithus，you\'dthinkhe\'dbeenbroughtupinacabin；butit\'slikelyhe\'salwayshadtheverycreamo\'thepot。"

"Yes，Ithinkso，"laughedElnora，"butithasn\'thurthim。I\'veneverseenanythingIcouldcriticise。

He\'steachingmesomuch，unconsciously。YouknowhegraduatedfromHarvard，andhasseveraldegreesinlaw。

He\'scominginthemorning，andwearegoingtoputinabigdayonCatocalae。"

"Whichis——?"

"Thosegraymothswithwingsthatfoldbacklikebigflies，andtheyappearasiftheyhadbeencarvedfromoldwood。Then，whentheyfly，thelowerwingsflashoutandtheyareredandblack，orgoldandblack，orpinkandblack，ordozensofbright，beautifulcolourscombinedwithblack。Nooneeverhasclassifiedallofthemandwrittentheircompletehistory，unlesstheBirdWomanisdoingitnow。Shewantseverythingshecangetaboutthem。"

"Iremember，"saidMrs。Comstock。"Theyaremightyprettythings。I\'vestartedupslewsofthemfromthevinescoveringthelogs，allmylife。Imustbecautiousandcatchthemafterthis，buttheyseempowerfulspry。

Imightgetholdofsomethingrare。"Shethoughtintentlyandadded，"Andwouldn\'tknowitifIdid。

Itwouldjustbemyluck。I\'vehadtherarestthingonearthinreachthismanyadayandonlyhadthewittocinchitjustasitwasgoing。I\'llbetIdon\'tletanythingelseescapeme。"

NextmorningPhilipcameearly，andheandElnorawentatoncetothefieldsandwoods。Mrs。Comstockhadcometobelievesoimplicitlyinhimthatshenowstayedathometocompletetheworkbeforeshejoinedthem，andwhenshedidsheoftensatsewing，leavingthemwanderinghoursatatime。Itwasnoonbeforeshefinished，andthenshepackedabasketoflunch。

ShefoundElnoraandPhilipnearthevioletpatch，whichwasstillinitsprime。Theyalllunchedtogetherintheshadeofawildcrabthicket，withflowersspreadattheirfeet，andthegoldoriolesstreakingtheairwithflashesoflightandtrailingecstasybehindthem，whilethered-

wings，asalways，askedthemostimpertinentquestions。

ThenMrs。Comstockcarriedthebasketbacktothecabin，andPhilipandElnorasatonalog，restingafewminutes。

Theyhadunexpectedluck，andbothwereeagertocontinuethesearch。

"Doyourememberyourpromiseabouttheseviolets?"

askedhe。"To-morrowisEdith\'sbirthday，andifI\'dputthemspecialdeliveryonthemorningtrain，she\'dgettheminthelateafternoon。Theyoughttokeepthatlong。SheleavesfortheNorthnextday。"

"Ofcourse，youmayhavethem，"saidElnora。"Wewillquitlongenoughbeforesuppertogatheralargebunch。

Theycanbepackedsotheywillcarryallright。

Theyshouldbeperfectlyfresh，especiallyifwegatherthemthiseveningandletthemdrinkallnight。"

ThentheywentbacktohuntCatocalae。Itwasalongandahappysearch。Itledthemintonew，unexplorednooksofthewoods，pastared-pollnest，andwheregoldfinchesprospectedforthistledownforthecradlestheywouldlinealittlelater。Itledthemintorealforest，wheredeep，darkpoolslay，wherethehermitthrushandthewoodrobinextractedtheessencefromallotherbirdmelody，andpoureditoutintheirpurebell-tonenotes。Itseemedasifeveryoldgraytree-trunk，slabofloosebark，andprostratelogyieldedtheflashinggraytreasures；

whileofallotherstheyseemedtotakealarmmosteasily，andbemostdifficulttocapture。

PhilipcametoElnoraatdusk，daintilyholdingonebythebody，itsdarkwingsshowinganditslongslenderlegstryingtoclasphisfingersandcreepfromhishold。

"Ohformercy\'ssake!"criedElnora，staringathim。

"Ihalfbelieveit!"exultedAmmon。

"Didyoueverseeone?"

"Onlyincollections，andveryseldomthere。"

Elnorastudiedtheblackwingsintently。"Isurelybelievethat\'sSappho，"shemarvelled。"TheBirdWomanwillbeoverjoyed。"

"Wemustgetthecyanidejarquickly，"saidPhilip。

"Iwouldn\'tloseherforanything。Suchachaseassheledme!"

Elnorabroughtthejarandbegangatheringupparaphernalia。

"Whenyoumakeafindlikethat，"shesaid，"it\'stherighttimetoquitandfeelgloriousalltherestofthatday。ItellyouI\'mproud!Wewillgonow。Wehavebarelytimetocarryoutourplansbeforesupper。

Won\'tmotherbepleasedtoseethatwehavearareone?"

"I\'dliketoseeanyonemorepleasedthanIam!"saidPhilipAmmon。"IfeelasifI\'dearnedmysupperto-night。

Let\'sgo。"

HetookthegreaterpartoftheloadandsteppedasideforElnoratoprecedehim。Shefollowedthepath，brokenbythegrazingcattle，towardthecabinandnearestthevioletpatchshestopped，laiddownhernet，andthethingsshecarried。Philippassedherandhurriedstraighttowardthebackgate。

"Aren\'tyougoingto——?"beganElnora。

"I\'mgoingtogetthismothhomeinahurry，"hesaid。

"Thiscyanidehaslostitsstrength，andit\'snotworkingwell。Weneedsomefreshinthejar。"

Hehadforgottentheviolets!Elnorastoodlookingafterhim，acuriousexpressiononherface。Onesecondso——thenshepickedupthenetandfollowed。Attheblue-borderedpoolshepausedandhalfturnedback，thensheclosedherlipsfirmlyandwenton。Itwasnineo\'clockwhenPhilipsaidgood-bye，andstartedtotown。HisgaywhistlefloatedtothemfromthefarthestcorneroftheLimberlost。Elnoracomplainedofbeingtired，soshewenttoherroomandtobed。Butsleepwouldnotcome。

Thoughtwasracinginherbrainandthelongershelaythewiderawakeshegrew。Atlastshesoftlyslippedfrombed，lightedherlampandbeganopeningboxes。Thenshewenttowork。Twohourslaterabeautifulbirchbarkbasket，stronglyandartisticallymade，stoodonhertable。

Shesetatinyalarmclockatthree，returnedtobedandfellasleepinstantlywithasmileonherlips。

Shewasonthefloorwiththefirsttinkleofthealarm，andhastilydressing，shepickedupthebasketandaboxtofitit，creptdownthestairs，andouttothevioletpatch。

Shewasunafraidasitwasgrowinglight，andliningthebasketwithdampmossessheswiftlybeganpicking，withpractisedhands，thebestoftheflowers。Shescarcelycouldtellwhichwerefreshestattimes，butdaysooncamecreepingovertheLimberlostandpeepedather。Therobinsawokealltheirneighbours，andababelofbirdnotesfilledtheair。Thedewwasdripping，whilethefirststrongraysoflightfellonaworldinwhichElnoraworshipped。

Whenthebasketwasfilledtooverflowing，shesetitinthestoutpasteboardbox，packeditsolidwithmosses，tieditfirmlyandslippedunderthecordanoteshehadwrittenthepreviousnight。

ThenshetookashortcutacrossthewoodsandwalkedswiftlytoOnabasha。Itwasaftersixo\'clock，butallofthecityshewishedtoavoidwereasleep。Shehadnotroubleinfindingasmallboyout，andshestoodatadistancewaitingwhileherangDr。Ammon\'sbellanddeliveredthepackageforPhiliptoamaid，withthenotewhichwastobegivenhimatonce。

Onthewayhomethroughthewoodspassingsomebaitedtreesshecollectedthecaptivemoths。SheenteredthekitchenwiththemsonaturallythatMrs。Comstockmadenocomment。AfterbreakfastElnorawenttoherroom，clearedawayalltraceofthenight\'sworkandwasoutinthearbourmountingmothswhenPhilipcamedowntheroad。"Iamtiredsitting，"shesaidtohermother。

"IthinkIwillwalkafewrodsandmeethim。"

"Who\'satrump?"hecalledfromafar。

"Notyou!"retortedElnora。"Confessthatyouforgot!"

"Completely!"saidPhilip。"Butluckilyitwouldnothavebeenfatal。IwrotePollylastweektosendEdithsomethingappropriateto-day，withmycard。Butthattouchfromthewoodswillbeveryeffective。ThankyoumorethanIcansay。AuntAnnaandIunpackedittoseethebasket，anditwasabeauty。Shesaysyouarealwaysdoingsuchthings。"

"Well，Ihopenot!"laughedElnora。"Ifyou\'dseenmesneakingoutbeforedawn，nottoawakenmotherandcominginwithmothstomakeherthinkI\'dbeentothetrees，you\'dknowitwasamostespecialoccasion。"

"ThenPhilipunderstoodtwothings:Elnora\'smotherdidnotknowoftheearlymorningtriptothecity，andthegirlhadcometomeethimtotellhimso。

"Youwereabricktodoit!"hewhisperedasheclosedthegatebehindthem。"I\'llneverforgetyouforit。

Thankyoueversomuch。"

"Ididnotdothatforyou，"saidElnoratersely。"Ididitmostlytopreservemyownself-respect。Isawyouwereforgetting。IfIdiditforanythingbesidesthat，Ididitforher。"

"JustlookwhatI\'vebrought!"saidPhilip，enteringthearbourandgreetingMrs。Comstock。"BorroweditoftheBirdWoman。Anditisn\'thers。ArareeditionofCatocalaewithcolouredplates。ItoldherthebestI

could，andshesaidtotryforSapphohere。IsuspecttheBirdWomanwillbeoutpresently。Shewasallexcitement。"

Thentheybentoverthebooktogetherandwiththemountedmothbeforethemdeterminedherfamily。TheBirdWomandidcomelater，andcarriedthemothaway，toputintoabookandElnoraandPhilipwerefreshlyfilledwithenthusiasm。

Sothesedayswerethebeginningoftheweeksthatfollowed。

SixofthemflyingonTime\'swings，eachfilledtothebrimwithinterest。AfterJune，themothhuntsgrewlessfrequent；thefieldsandwoodsweresearchedformaterialforElnora\'sgradework。ThemostabsorbingoccupationtheyfoundwasincarryingoutMrs。Comstock\'ssuggestiontolearnthevitalthingforwhicheachmonthwasdistinctive，andmakethatthekeytothenaturework。Theywroteoutalistofthemonths，oppositeeachthethingsallofthemcouldsuggestwhichseemedtopertaintothatmonthalone，andthentriedtosiftuntiltheyfoundsomethingtypical。Mrs。Comstockwasagreathelp。HermotherhadbeenDutchandhadbroughtfromHollandnumerousquaintsayingsandsuperstitionseasilytraceabletoPliny\'sNaturalHistory；andinMrs。

Comstock\'searlyyearsinOhioshehadheardmuchIndiantalkamongherelders，sosheknewthesignsofeachseason，andsometimestheyhelped。Alwaysherpracticalthoughtandsterlingcommonsensewereuseful。Whentheywereafielduntilexhaustedtheycamebacktothecabinforfood，topreparespecimensandclassifythem，andtotalkovertheday。SometimesPhilipbroughtbooksandreadwhileElnoraandhermotherworked，andeverynightMrs。Comstockaskedfortheviolin。

Herperfecthungerformusicwassufficientevidenceofhowshehadsufferedwithoutit。Sothedayscreptby，golden，filledwithusefulworkandpurepleasure。

Thegrosbeakhadledthefamilyinthemapleabroadandasecondbrood，inawildgrapevineclamberingoverthewell，wasalmostreadyforflight。Thedustlaythickonthecountryroads，thedaysgrewwarmer；summerwasjustpoisingtoslipintofall，andPhilipremained，comingeachdayasifhehadbelongedtherealways。

OnewarmAugustafternoonMrs。Comstocklookedupfromtheruffleonwhichshewasengagedtoseeablue-coatedmessengerenterthegate。

"IsPhilipAmmonhere?"askedtheboy。

"Heis，"saidMrs。Comstock。

"Ihaveamessageforhim。"

"Heisinthewoodsbackofthecabin。Iwillringthebell。

Doyouknowifitisimportant?"

"Urgent，"saidtheboy；"Irodehard。"

Mrs。Comstocksteppedtothebackdoorandclangedthedinnerbellsharply，pausedasecond，andrangagain。

InashorttimePhilipandElnorarandownthepath。

"Areyouill，mother?"criedElnora。

Mrs。Comstockindicatedtheboy。"ThereisanimportantmessageforPhilip，"shesaid。

Hemutteredanexcuseandtoreopenthetelegram。

Hiscolourfadedslightly。"Ihavetotakethefirsttrain，"

hesaid。"MyfatherisillandIamneeded。"

HehandedthesheettoElnora。"Ihaveabouttwohours，asIrememberthetrainsnorth，butmythingsarealloverUncleDoc\'shouse，soImustgoatonce。"

"Certainly，"saidElnora，givingbackthemessage。

"IsthereanythingIcandotohelp?Mother，bringPhilipaglassofbuttermilktostarton。Iwillgatherwhatyouhavehere。"

"Nevermind。Thereisnothingofimportance。Idon\'twanttobehampered。I\'llsendforitifImissanythingIneed。"

Philipdrankthemilk，saidgood-byetoMrs。Comstock；

thankedherforallherkindness，andturnedtoElnora。

"WillyouwalktotheedgeoftheLimberlostwithme?"

heasked。Elnoraassented。Mrs。Comstockfollowedtothegate，urgedhimtocomeagainsoon，andrepeatedhergood-bye。ThenshewentbacktothearbourtoawaitElnora\'sreturn。Asshewatcheddowntheroadshesmiledsoftly。

"Ihadanideahewouldspeaktomefirst，"shethought，"butthismaychangethingssome。Hehasn\'ttime。

Elnorawillcomebackahappygirl，andshehasgoodreason。Heisamodelyoungman。Herlotwillbeverydifferentfrommine。"

Shepickedupherembroideryandbegansettingdaintypreciselittlestitches，possibleonlytocertainwomen。

OntheroadElnoraspokefirst。"Idohopeitisnothingserious，"shesaid。"Isheusuallystrong?"

"Quitestrong，"saidPhilip。"IamnotatallalarmedbutIamverymuchashamed。Ihavebeenwellenoughforthepastmonthtohavegonehomeandhelpedhimwithsomecriticalcasesthatwerekeepinghimatworkinthisheat。IwasenjoyingmyselfsoIwouldn\'toffertogo，andhewouldnotaskmetocome，solongashecouldhelpit。Ihaveallowedhimtoovertaxhimselfuntilheisdown，andmotherandPollyarenorthatourcottage。

He\'sneverbeensickbefore，andit\'sprobableIamtoblamethatheisnow。"

"Heintendedyoutostaythislongwhenyoucame，"

urgedElnora。

"Yes，butit\'shotinChicago。Ishouldhaverememberedhim。Heisalwaysthinkingofme。Possiblyhehasneededmefordays。IamashamedtogotohiminsplendidconditionandadmitthatIwashavingsuchafinetimeIforgottocomehome。"

"Youhavehadafinetime，then?"askedElnora。

Theyhadreachedthefence。Philipvaultedovertotakeashortcutacrossthefields。Heturnedandlookedather。

"Thebest，thesweetest，andmostwholesometimeanymaneverhadinthisworld，"hesaid。"Elnora，ifItalkedhoursIcouldn\'tmakeyouunderstandwhatagirlIthinkyouare。IneverinallmylifehatedanythingasIhateleavingyou。ItseemstomethatIhavenotstrengthtodoit。"

"Ifyouhavelearnedanythingworthwhilefromme，"

saidElnora，"thatshouldbeit。Justtohavestrengthtogotoyourduty，andtogoquickly。"

Hecaughtthehandsheheldouttohiminbothhis。

"Elnora，thesedayswehavehadtogether，havetheybeensweettoyou?"

"Beautifuldays!"saidElnora。"Eachlikeaperfectdreamtobethoughtoverandoverallmylife。Oh，theyhavebeentheonlyreallyhappydaysI\'veeverknown；

thesedaysrichwithmother\'slove，anddoingusefulworkwithyourhelp。Good-bye!Youmusthurry!"

Philipgazedather。Hetriedtodropherhand，onlyclutcheditcloser。Suddenlyhedrewhertowardhim。

"Elnora，"hewhispered，"willyoukissmegood-bye?"

Elnoradrewbackandstaredathimwithwideeyes。

"I\'dstrikeyousooner!"shesaid。"HaveIeversaidordoneanythinginyourpresencethatmadeyoufeelfreetoaskthat，PhilipAmmon?"

"No!"pantedPhilip。"No!IthinksomuchofyouIwantedtotouchyourlipsoncebeforeIleftyou。

Youknow，Elnora——"

"Don\'tdistressyourself，"saidElnoracalmly。"Iambroadenoughtojudgeyousanely。Iknowwhatyoumean。

Itwouldbenoharmtoyou。Itwouldnotmattertome，butherewewillthinkofsomeoneelse。EdithCarrwouldnotwantyourlipsto-morrowifsheknewtheyhadtouchedmineto-day。Iwaswisetosay:`Goquickly!\'"

Philipstillclungtoher。"Willyouwriteme?"hebegged。

"No，"saidElnora。"Thereisnothingtosay，savegood-bye。

Wecandothatnow。"

Heheldon。"Promisethatyouwillwritemeonlyoneletter，"heurged。"Iwantjustonemessagefromyoutolockinmydesk，andkeepalways。Promiseyouwillwriteonce，Elnora。"

Shelookedintohiseyes，andsmiledserenely。"Ifthetalkingtreestellmethiswinter，thesecretofhowamanmaygrowperfect，Iwillwriteyouwhatitis，Philip。

InallthetimeIhaveknownyou，Ineverhavelikedyousolittle。Good-bye。"