第18章

Hadn\'tyoubetterletherdecidethis?"

"Thefinaldecisionrestswithher，ofcourse，"admittedMrs。Comstock。"Butlookyouonething!She\'sallIhave。

AsSolomonsays，`sheistheonechild，theonlychildofhermother。\'I\'vesufferedenoughinthisworldthatIfightagainstanysufferingwhichthreatensher。

SofarasIknowyou\'vealwaysbeenaman，andyoumaystay。Butifyoubringtearsandheartachetoher，don\'thavetheassurancetothinkI\'llbearittamely。

I\'llgetrightupandfightlikeacatamount，ifthingsgowrongforElnora!"

"Ihavenodoubtbutyouwill，"repliedPhilip，"andI

don\'tblameyouintheleastifyoudo。IhavetheutmostdevotiontoofferElnora，agoodhome，fairsocialposition，andmyfamilywillloveherdearly。Thinkitover。Iknowitissudden，butmyfatheradvisedit。"

"Yes，Ireckonhedid!"saidMrs。Comstockdryly。"Iguessinsteadofmebeingthecatamount，youhadthegenuinearticleupinChicago，masqueradinginpeacockfeathers，andposingasafinelady，untilhertimecametoscratch。

Humannatureseemstobethesametheworldover。ButI\'dgiveaprettytoknowthatsecretthingyousayyoudon\'t，thatsetherravingoveryourjustcatchingamothforElnora。

Youmightgetthatcrockofstrawberriesinthespringhouse。"

Theypreparedandatesupper。Afterwardtheysatinthearbourandtalked，orElnoraplayeduntiltimeforPhiliptogo。

"Willyouwalktothegatewithme?"heaskedElnoraashearose。

"Notto-night，"sheansweredlightly。"Comeearlyinthemorningifyoulike，andwewillgoovertoSleepySnakeCreekandhuntmothsandgatherdandelionsfordinner。"

Philipleanedtowardher。"MayItellyouto-morrowwhyIcame?"heasked。

"Ithinknot，"repliedElnora。"Thefactis，Idon\'tcarewhyyoucame。Itisenoughformethatweareyourverygoodfriends，andthatintrouble，youhavefoundusarefuge。Ifancywehadbetterliveaweekortwobeforeyousayanything。Thereisapossibilitythatwhatyouhavetosaymaychangeinthatlengthoftime。

"Itwillnotchangeoneiota!"criedPhilip。

"Thenitwillhavethegraceofthatmuchagetogiveitsomesmalltouchofflavour，"saidthegirl。"Comeearlyinthemorning。"

Sheliftedtheviolinandbegantoplay。

"Wellblessmysoul!"ejaculatedtheastoundedMrs。Comstock。

"TothinkIwasworryingforfearyoucouldn\'ttakecareofyourself!"

Elnoralaughedwhilesheplayed。

"ShallItellyouwhathesaid?"

"Nope!Idon\'twanttohearit!"saidElnora。"HeisonlysixhoursfromChicago。I\'llgiveheraweektofindhimandfixitup，ifhestaysthatlong。Ifshedoesn\'tputinanappearancethen，hecantellmewhathewantstosay，andI\'lltakemytimetothinkitover。Timeinplenty，too!Therearethreeofusinthis，andonemustbeleftwithasoreheartforlife。IfthedecisionrestswithmeIproposetobeverysurethatitistheonewhodeservessuchhardluck。"

ThenextmorningPhilipcameearly，dressedintheoutingclothinghehadworntheprevioussummer，andasidefromaslightpalenessseemedverymuchthesameaswhenheleft。Elnoramethimontheoldfooting，andforaweeklifewentonexactlyasithadtheprevioussummer。

Mrs。Comstockmadementalnotesandwatchedinsilence。

ShecouldseethatElnorawasonastrain，thoughshehopedPhilipwouldnot。Thegirlgrewrestlessastheweekdrewtoaclose。Oncewhenthegateclickedshesuddenlylostcolourandmovednervously。Billycamedownthewalk。

PhilipleanedtowardMrs。Comstockandsaid:"IamexpresslyforbiddentospeaktoElnoraasIwouldlike。

WouldyoumindtellingherformethatIhadaletterfrommyfatherthismorningsayingthatMissCarrisonherwaytoEuropeforthesummer?"

"Elnora，"saidMrs。Comstockpromptly，"IhavejustheardthatCarrwomanisonherwaytoEurope，andI

wishtomygraciousstarsshe\'dstaythere!"

PhilipAmmonshouted，butElnoraarosehastilyandwenttomeetBilly。TheycameintothearbourtogetherandafterspeakingtoMrs。ComstockandPhilip，Billysaid:"UncleWesleyandIfoundsomethingfunny，andwethoughtyou\'dliketosee。"

"Idon\'tknowwhatIshoulddowithoutyouandUncleWesleytohelpme，"saidElnora。"Whathaveyoufoundnow?"

"SomethingIcouldn\'tbring。Youhavetocometoit。

ItriedtogetoneandIkilledit。Theyareakindofinsectythings，andtheygotalongtailthatisthreefinehairs。Theystickthosehairsrightintothehardbarkoftrees，andifyoupull，thehairsstayfastanditkillsthebug。"

"Wewillcomeatonce，"laughedElnora。"Iknowwhattheyare，andIcanusesomeinmywork。"

"Billy，haveyoubeencrying?"inquiredMrs。Comstock。

Billyliftedachastenedface。"Yes，ma\'am，"hereplied。

"Thishasbeentheworstday。"

"What\'sthematterwiththeday?"

"Thedayisallright，"admittedBilly。"Imeaneverysinglethinghasgonewrongwithme。"

"Nowthatistoobad!"sympathizedMrs。Comstock。

"Beganearlythismorning，"saidBilly。"AllSnap\'sfault，too。"

"WhathaspoorSnapbeendoing?"demandedMrs。

Comstock，hereyesbeginningtotwinkle。

"Diggingforwoodchucks，likehealwaysdoes。Hegetsupattwoo\'clocktodigforthem。Hewascominginfromthewoodsalltiredandcoveredthickwithdirt。

IwasgoingtothebarnwiththepailofwaterforUncleWesleytouseinmilking。Ihadtosetdownthepailtoshutthegatesothechickenswouldn\'tgetintotheflowerbeds，andoldSnapstuckhisdirtynoseintothewaterandbegantolapitdown。IknewUncleWesleywouldn\'tusethat，soIhadtogo\'waybacktothecisternformore，anditpumpsawfulhard。Madememad，soIthrewthewateronSnap。"

"Well，whatofit?"

"Nothing，ifhe\'dstoodstill。Butitscaredhimawful，andwhenhe\'safraidhegoesa-humpingforAuntMargaret。

Whenhegotrightupagainstherhestiffenedoutandgaveabigshake。YououghterseenthenicebluedressshehadputontogotoOnabasha!"

Mrs。ComstockandPhiliplaughed，butElnoraputherarmsaroundtheboy。"OhBilly!"shecried。

"Thatwastoobad!"

"Shegotupearlyandironedthatdresstowearbecauseitwascool。Then，whenitwasalldirty，shewouldn\'tgo，andshewantedtorealbad。"Billywipedhiseyes。"Thatain\'tall，either，"headded。

"We\'dliketoknowaboutit，Billy，"suggestedMrs。

Comstock，strugglingwithherface。

"Cosshecouldn\'tgotothecity，she\'smostworkedherselftodeath。She\'sdoneallthedirty，hardjobsshecouldfind。She\'sfixinghergrapejuicenow。"

"Sure!"criedMrs。Comstock。"Whenawomanisdisappointedshealwaysworkslikeadogtogainsympathy!"

"Well，UncleWesleyandIaresympathizingallweknowhow，withoutherworkingso。I\'vesqueezeduntilIalmostbustedtogetthejuiceoutfromtheseedsandskins。That\'sthehardpart。Now，shehastostrainitthroughwhiteflannelandsealitinbottles，andit\'sgoodforsickfolks。MostwishI\'dgetsickmyself，soIcouldhaveaglass。It\'ssogood!"

Elnoraglancedswiftlyathermother。

"Iworkedsohard，"continuedBilly，"thatshesaidifIwouldthrowtheleavingsinthewoods，thenIcouldcomeafteryoutoseeaboutthebugs。Doyouwanttogo?"

"Wewillallgo，"saidMrs。Comstock。"Iammightilyinterestedinthosebugsmyself。"

FromafarcommotioncouldbeseenattheSintonhome。

WesleyandMargaretwererunningaroundwildlyandpeculiarsoundsfilledtheair。

"What\'sthetrouble?"askedPhilip，hurryingtoWesley。

"Cholera!"groanedSinton。"Myhogsaredyinglikeflies。"

Margaretwassoftlycrying。"Wesley，can\'tIfixsomethinghot?Can\'twedoanything?Itmeansseveralhundreddollarsandourwintermeat。"

"Ineversawstocktakensosuddenlyandsohard，"

saidWesley。"Ihave\'phonedfortheveterinarytocomeassoonashecangethere。"

Allofthemhurriedtothefeedingpenintowhichthepigsseemedtobegatheringfromthewoods。AmongthecommonstockwerebigwhitebeastsofpedigreewhichwereWesley\'sprideatcountyfairs。Severaloftheserolledontheirbacks，pawingtheairfeeblyandemittinglittlesqueaks。AhugeBerkshiresatonhishaunches，slowlyshakinghishead，thewaterdroppingfromhiseyes，untilhe，too，rolledoverwithfaintgrunts。Apaircrossingtheyardonwaveringlegscollided，andattackedeachotherinanger，onlytofall，soweaktheyscarcelycouldsqueal。AfinesnowyPlymouthRockrooster，afterseveralattempts，flewtothefence，balancedwithgreateffort，wildlyflappedhiswingsandstartedagutturalcrow，butfellsprawlingamongthepigs，toohelplesstostand。

"Didyoueverseesuchadreadfulsight?"sobbedMargaret。

Billyclimbedonthefence，tookonelonglookandturnedanastoundedfacetoWesley。

"Whythempigsisdrunk!"hecried。"Theyactjustlikemypa!"

WesleyturnedtoMargaret。

"Wheredidyouputtheleavingsfromthatgrapejuice?"

hedemanded。

"IsentBillytothrowitinthewoods。"

"Billy——"beganWesley。

"Threwitjustwhereshetoldmeto，"criedBilly。

Butsomeofthepigscamebytherecomingintothepen，andsomewerecloseinthefencecorners。"

"Didtheyeatit?"demandedWesley。

"Theyjustchankedintoit，"repliedBillygraphically。

"Theypushed，andsquealed，andfoughtoverit。

Youcouldn\'tblame\'em!ItwasthebeststuffIevertasted!"

"Margaret，"saidWesley，"run\'phonethatdoctorhewon\'tbeneeded。Billy，takeElnoraandMr。Ammontoseethebugs。Katharine，supposeyouhelpmeaminute。"

Wesleytooktheclothesbasketfromthebackporchandstartedinthedirectionofthecellar。Margaretreturnedfromthetelephone。

"Ijustcaughthim，"shesaid。"There\'sthatmuchsaved。

WhyWesley，whatareyougoingtodo?"

"Yougositonthefrontporchalittlewhile，"saidWesley。

"Youwillfeelbetterifyoudon\'tseethis。"

"Wesley，"criedMargaretaghast。"Someofthatwineistenyearsold。Therearedaysanddaysofhardworkinit，andIcouldn\'tsayhowmuchsugar。Dr。Ammonkeepspeoplealivewithitwhennothingelsewillstayontheirstomachs。"

"Let\'emdie，then!"saidWesley。"Youheardtheboy，didn\'tyou?"

"It\'sacoldprocess。There\'snotaparticleoffermentationaboutit。"

"Notaparticleoffermentation!Greatday，Margaret!Lookatthosepigs!"

Margarettookalonglook。"Leavemeafewbottlesformince-meat，"shewavered。

"Notasmellforanyuseonthisearth!Youheardtheboy!Heshan\'tsay，whenhegrowstomanhood，thathelearnedtolikeithere!"

Wesleythrewawaythewine，Mrs。Comstockcheerfullyassisting。

Thentheywalkedtothewoodstoseeandlearnaboutthewonderfulinsects。ThedayendedwithabigsupperatSintons\'，andthentheywenttotheComstockcabinforaconcert。Elnoraplayedbeautifullythatnight。WhentheSintonsleftshekissedBillywithparticulartenderness。

ShewassomovedthatshewaskindertoPhilipthanshehadintendedtobe，andElnoraasanantidotetoadisappointedloverwasadecidedsuccessinanymood。

HoweverstrongtheattractionsofEdithCarrhadbeen，oncethebondwasfinallybroken，PhilipAmmoncouldnothelprealizingthatElnorawasthesuperiorwoman，andthathewasfortunatetohaveescaped，whenheregardedhistiesstrongest。Everyday，whileworkingwithElnora，hesawmoretoadmire。Hegrewverythankfulthathewasfreetotrytowinher，andimpatienttojustifyhimselftoher。

Elnoradidnotevincetheslightesthastetohearwhathehadtosay，butwaitedtheweekshehadset，inspiteofPhilip\'shourlymanifestimpatience。Whenshedidconsenttolisten，Philipfeltbeforehehadtalkedfiveminutes，thatshewasputtingherselfinEdithCarr\'splace，andjudginghimfromwhattheothergirl\'sstandpointwouldbe。Thatwassodisconcerting，hedidnotpleadhiscausenearlysowellashehadhoped，forwhenheceasedElnorasatinsilence。

"Youaremyjudge，"hesaidatlast。"Whatisyourverdict?"

"IfIcouldhearherspeakfromherheartasIjusthaveheardyou，thenIcoulddecide，"answeredElnora。

"Sheisontheocean，"saidPhilip。"Shewentbecausesheknewshewaswhollyinthewrong。Shehadnothingtosay，orshewouldhaveremained。"

"Thatsoundsplausible，"reasonedElnora，"butitisprettydifficulttofindawomaninanaffairthatinvolvesherheartwithnothingatalltosay。IfancyifIcouldmeether，shewouldsayseveralthings。Ishouldlovetohearthem。IfIcouldtalkwithherthreeminutes，I

couldtellwhatanswertomakeyou。"

"Don\'tyoubelieveme，Elnora?"

"Unquestioningly，"answeredElnora。"ButIwouldbelieveheralso。IfonlyIcouldmeetherIsoonwouldknow。"

"Idon\'tseehowthatistobeaccomplished，"saidPhilip，"butIamperfectlywilling。Thereisnoreasonwhyyoushouldnotmeether，exceptthatsheprobablywouldlosehertemperandinsultyou。"

"Nottoanyextent，"saidElnoracalmly。"Ihaveatongueofmyown，whileIamnotwithoutsomesmallsenseofpersonalvalues。"

Philipglancedatherandbegantolaugh。Verydifferentoffacialformationandcolouring，Elnoraattimescloselyresembledhermother。Shejoinedinhislaughruefully。

"Thepointisthis，"shesaid。"Someoneisgoingtobehurt，mostdreadfully。Ifthedecisionastowhomitshallberestswithme，Imustknowitistherightone。

Ofcourse，nooneeverhintedittoyou，butyouareaveryattractiveman，Philip。Youaremightygoodtolookat，andyouhaveatrained，refinedmind，thatmakesyoumostinteresting。ForyearsEdithCarrhasfeltthatyouwerehers。Now，howisshegoingtochange?Ihavebeenthinking——thinkingdeepandlong，Phil。IfIwereinherplace，Isimplycouldnotgiveyouup，unlessyouhadmadeyourselfunworthyoflove。Undoubtedly，youneverseemedsodesirabletoherasjustnow，whensheistoldshecan\'thaveyou。WhatIthinkisthatshewillcometoclaimyouyet。"

"Youoverlookthefactthatitisnotinawoman\'spowertothrowawayamanandpickhimupatpleasure，"saidPhilipwithsomewarmth。"Shepubliclyandrepeatedlycastmeoff。Iacceptedherdecisionaspubliclyasitwasmade。Youhavedoneallyourthinkingfromawrongviewpoint。YouseemtohaveanideathatitlieswithyoutodecidewhatIshalldo，thatifyousaytheword，IshallreturntoEdith。Putthatthoughtoutofyourhead!Now，andforalltimetocome，sheisamatterofindifferencetome。ShekilledallfeelinginmyheartforhersocompletelythatIdonotevendreadmeetingher。

"IfIhatedher，orwasangrywithher，Icouldnotbesurethefeelingwouldnotdie。Asitis，shehasdeadenedmeintoacreatureofindifference。Soyoujustreviseyourviewpointalittle，Elnora。CeasethinkingitisforyoutodecidewhatIshalldo，andthatIwillobeyyou。

Imakemyowndecisionsinreferencetoanywoman，saveyou。

ThequestionyouaretodecideiswhetherImayremainhere，associatingwithyouasIdidlastsummer；butwiththedifferencethatitisunderstoodthatIamfree；thatitismyintentiontocareforyouallIplease，tomakeyoureturnmyfeelingforyouifIcan。Thereisjustonequestionforyoutodecide，anditisnottriangular。

Itisbetweenus。MayIremain?MayIloveyou?

WillyougivemethechancetoprovewhatIthinkofyou?"

"Youspeakveryplainly，"saidElnora。

"Thisisthetimetospeakplainly，"saidPhilipAmmon。

"Thereisnouseinallowingyoutogoonthreshingoutaproblemwhichdoesnotexist。Ifyoudonotwantmehere，saysoandIwillgo。Ofcourse，IwarnyoubeforeIstart，thatIwillcomeback。Iwon\'tyieldwithoutthestiffestfightitisinmetomake。ButdropthinkingitliesinyourpowertosendmebacktoEdithCarr。

Ifshewerethelastwomanintheworld，andIthelastman，I\'djumpofftheplanetbeforeIwouldgiveherfurtheropportunitytoexercisehertemperonme。Narrowthistous，Elnora。Willyoutaketheplaceshevacated?

Willyoutaketheheartshethrewaway?I\'dgivemyrighthandandnotflinch，ifIcouldofferyoumylife，freefromanycontactwithhers，butthatisnotpossible。Ican\'tundothingswhicharedone。

Icanonlyprofitbyexperienceandbuildbetterinthefuture。"

"Idon\'tseehowyoucanbesureofyourself，"saidElnora。

"Idon\'tseehowIcouldbesureofyou。Youlovedherfirst，younevercancareformeanythinglikethat。AlwaysI\'dhavetobeafraidyouwerethinkingofherandregretting。"

"Folly!"criedPhilip。"Regrettingwhat?ThatI

wasnotmarriedtoawomanwhowasliabletoraveatmeanytimeorplace，withoutmybeingconsciousofhavinggivenoffence?Amandoesrelishthat!Iamlikelytopineformore!"

"You\'dbethinkingshe\'dlearnedalesson。Youwouldthinkitwouldn\'thappenagain。"

"No，Iwouldn\'tbe`thinking，\'"said，Philip。"I\'dbeeverlastinglysure!Iwouldn\'triskwhatIwentthroughthatnightagain，nottosavemylife!Justyouandme，Elnora。Decideforus。"

"Ican\'t!"criedElnora。"Iamafraid!"

"Verywell，"saidPhilip。"Wewillwaituntilyoufeelthatyoucan。Waituntilfearvanishes。Justdecidenowwhetheryouwouldratherhavemegoforafewmonths，orremainwithyou。Whichshallitbe，Elnora?"

"Youcanneverlovemeasyoudidher，"wailedElnora。

"IamhappytosayIcannot，"repliedhe。"I\'vecutmymatrimonialteeth。I\'mcuredofwantingtoswellinsociety。I\'moverbeingproudofawomanforherlooksalone。Ihavenofurtheruseforlavishingmyselfonabeautiful，elegantlydressedcreature，whothinksonlyofself。IhavelearnedthatIamacommonman。IadmirebeautyandbeautifulclothingquiteasmuchasIeverdid；but，first，Iwantanunderstanding，deepasthelowestrecessofmysoul，withthewomanImarry。Iwanttoworkforyou，toplanforyou，tobuildyouahomewitheverycomfort，togiveyouallgoodthingsIcan，toshieldyoufromeveryevil。Iwanttointerposemybodybetweenyoursandfire，flood，orfamine。Iwanttogiveyoueverything；butIhatetheideaofgettingnothingatallonwhichIcandependinreturn。EdithCarrhadonlygoodlookstooffer，andwhenangerovertookher，beautywentoutlikeasnuffedcandle。

"Iwantyoutoloveme。Iwantsomeconsideration。

Ievencraverespect。I\'vekeptmyselfclean。SofarasIknowhowtobe，Iamhonestandscrupulous。

Itwouldn\'thurtmetofeelthatyoutooksomeinterestinthesethings。Ratherfiercetemptationsstrikeaman，everyfewdays，inthisworld。Icankeepdecent，forawomanwhocaresfordecency，butwhenIdo，I\'dliketohavethefactrecognized，byjustenoughofashowofappreciationthatIcouldseeit。Iamtiredofthisone-

sidedbusiness。Afterthis，IwanttogetalittleinreturnforwhatIgive。Elnora，youhavelove，tenderness，andhonestappreciationofthefinestinlife。TakewhatIoffer，andgivewhatIask。"

"Youdonotaskmuch，"saidElnora。

"AsfornotlovingyouasIdidEdith，"continuedPhilip，"asIsaidbefore，Ihopenot!Ihaveanewerandabetterideaofloving。ThefeelingIofferyouwasinspiredbyyou。ItisaLimberlostproduct。Itisasmuchbigger，cleaner，andmorewholesomethananyfeelingIeverhadforEdithCarr，asyouarebiggerthanshe，whenyoustandbeforeyourclassesandincalmdignityexplainthemarvelsoftheAlmighty，whileshestandsonaballroomfloor，andgiveswaytouncontrolledtemper。

Yegods，Elnora，ifyoucouldlookintomysoul，youwouldseeitleapandrejoiceovermyescape!Perhapsitisn\'tdecent，butit\'shuman；andI\'monlyacommonhumanbeing。I\'mthegladdestmanalivethatI\'mfree!

IwouldturnsomersaultsandyellifIdared。Whatanescape!

StopstrainingafterEdithCarr\'sviewpointandtakealookfrommine。PutyourselfinmyplaceandtrytostudyouthowIfeel。

"IamsohappyIgrowreligiousoverit。FiftytimesadayIcatchmyselfwhispering，`Mysoulisescaped!\'

Asforyou，takeallthetimeyouwant。Ifyouprefertobealone，I\'lltakethenexttrainandstayawayaslongasIcanbearit，butI\'llcomeback。Youcanbemostsureofthat。Straightasyourpigeonstotheirloft，I\'llcomebacktoyou，Elnora。ShallIgo?"

"Oh，what\'stheusetobeextravagant?"murmuredElnora。

CHAPTERXXII

WHEREINPHILIPAMMONKNEELSTOELNORA，ANDSTRANGERSCOMETOTHELIMBERLOST

ThemonthwhichfollowedwasareproductionofthepreviousJune。Therewerelongmothhunts，daysofspecimengathering，wonderfulhourswithgreatbooks，bigdinnersallofthemhelpedtoprepare，andperfectnightsfilledwithmusic。Everythingwasasithadbeen，withthedifferencethatPhilipwasnowanavowedsuitor。HemissednoopportunitytoadvancehimselfinElnora\'sgraces。Attheendofthemonthhewasnoneareranysortofunderstandingwithherthanhehadbeenatthebeginning。Herevelledintheprivilegeoflovingher，buthegotnoresponse。

Elnorabelievedinhislove，yetshehesitatedtoaccepthim，becauseshecouldnotforgetEdithCarr。

OneafternoonearlyinJuly，Philipcameacrossthefields，throughtheComstockwoods，andenteredthegarden。

HeinquiredforElnoraatthebackdoorandwastoldthatshewasreadingunderthewillow。Hewentaroundthewestendofthecabintoher。Shesatonarusticbenchtheyhadmadeandplacedbeneathadroopingbranch。

Hehadnotseenherbeforeinthedressshewaswearing。

Itwasclingingmullofpalegreen，trimmedwithnarrowrufflesandtouchedwithknotsofblackvelvet；asimpledress，butvastlybecoming。Everytintofherbrighthair，herluminouseyes，herredlips，andherrose-flushedface，neck，andarmsgrewalittlemorevividwiththedelicategreensetting。

Hestoppedshort。Shewassonear，sotemptinglysweet，helostcontrol。Hewenttoherwithahalf-

smotheredcryafterthatfirstlonglook，droppedononekneebesideherandreachedanarmbehindhertothebenchback，sothathewasverynear。Hecaughtherhands。

"Elnora!"hecriedtensely，"enditnow!Saythisstrainisover。Ipledgeyouthatyouwillbehappy。

Youdon\'tknow!Ifyouonlywouldsaytheword，youwouldawaketonewlifeandgreatjoy!Won\'tyoupromisemenow，Elnora?"

Thegirlsatstaringintothewestwoods，whilestronginhereyeswasherfather\'slookofseeingsomethinginvisibletoothers。Philip\'sarmslippedfromthebencharoundher。Hisfingersclosedfirmlyoverhers。

Elnora，"hepleaded，"youknowmewellenough。

Youhavehadtimeinplenty。Enditnow。Sayyouwillbemine!"Hegatheredhercloser，pressinghisfaceagainsthers，hisbreathonhercheek。"Can\'tyouquitepromiseyet，mygirloftheLimberlost?"

Elnorashookherhead。Instantlyhereleasedher。

"Forgiveme，"hebegged。"Ihadnointentionofthrustingmyselfuponyou，but，Elnora，youaretheveriestQueenofLovethisafternoon。Fromthetipsofyourtoestoyourshiningcrown，Iworshipyou。Iwantnowomansaveyou。

Youaresowonderfulthisafternoon，Icouldn\'thelpurging。

Forgiveme。Perhapsitwassomethingthatcamethismorningforyou。IwrotePollytosendit。Maywetryifitfits?Willyoutellmeifyoulikeit?"

Hedrewalittlewhitevelvetboxfromhispocketandshowedherasplendidemeraldring。

"Itmaynotberight，"hesaid。"Theinsideofaglovefingerisnotveryaccurateforameasure，butitwasthebestIcoulddo。IwrotePollytogetit，becausesheandmotherarehomefromtheEastthisweek，butnexttheywillgoontoourcottageinthenorth，andnooneknowswhatisrightquitesowellasPolly。"HelaidtheringinElnora\'shand。"Dearest，"hesaid，"don\'tslipthatonyourfinger；putyourarmsaroundmyneckandpromiseme，allatonceandabruptly，orI\'llkeeloveranddieofsheerjoy。"

Elnorasmiled。

"Iwon\'t!Notallthoseventuresomethingsatonce；

but，Phil，I\'mashamedtoconfessthatringsimplyfascinatesme。ItisthemostbeautifuloneIeversaw，anddoyouknowthatIneverownedaringofanykindinmylife?WouldyouthinkmeunwomanlyifIslipitonforasecond，beforeIcansayforsure?Phil，youknowIcare!Icareverymuch!YouknowIwilltellyoutheinstantIfeelrightaboutit。"

"Certainlyyouwill，"agreedPhilippromptly。"Itisyourrighttotakeallthetimeyouchoose。Ican\'tputthatringonyouuntilitmeansabondbetweenus。

I\'llshutmyeyesandyoutryiton，sowecanseeifitfits。"Philipturnedhisfacetowardthewestwoodsandtightlyclosedhiseyes。Itwasaboyishthingtodo，anditcaughtthehesitatinggirlinthedepthsofherheartastheboyelementinamaneverappealstoamotherlywoman。Beforeshequiterealizedwhatshewasdoing，theringslidonherfinger。WithbotharmsshecaughtPhilipanddrewhimtoherbreast，holdinghimclosely。Herheaddroopedoverhis，herlipswereonhishair。Soaninstant，thenherarmsdropped。

Heliftedaconvulsed，whiteface。

"DearLord!"hewhispered。"You——youdidn\'tmeanthat，Elnora!You——Whatmadeyoudoit?"

"You——youlookedsoboyish!"pantedElnora。"Ididn\'tmeanit!I——IforgotthatyouwereolderthanBilly。

Look——lookatthering!"

"`TheQueencandonowrong，\'"quotedPhilipbetweenhissetteeth。"Butdon\'tyoudothatagain，Elnora，unlessyoudomeanit。Kingsarenotsogoodasqueens，andthereisalimitwithallmen。Asyousay，wewilllookatyourring。Itseemsverylovelytome。Supposeyouleaveitonuntiltimeformetogo。Pleasedo!Ihaveheardofmuteappeals；perhapsitwillpleadforme。

Iamwildforyourlipsthisafternoon。Iamgoingtotakeyourhands。"

Hecaughtbothofthemandcoveredthemwithkisses。

"Elnora，"hesaid，"Willyoubemywife?"

"Imusthavealittlemoretime，"shewhispered。"Imustbeabsolutelycertain，forwhenIsayyes，andgivemyselftoyou，onlydeathshallpartus。Iwouldnotgiveyouup。SoIwantalittlemoretime——but，IthinkIwill。"

"Thankyou，"saidPhilip。"Ifatanytimeyoufeelthatyouhavereachedadecision，willyoutellme?Willyoupromisemetotellmeinstantly，orshallIkeepaskingyouuntilthetimecomes?"

"Youmakeitdifficult，"saidElnora。"ButIwillpromiseyouthat。Wheneverthelastdoubtvanishes，I

willletyouknowinstantly——ifIcan。"

"Woulditbedifficultforyou?"whisperedAmmon。

"I——Idon\'tknow，"falteredElnora。

"ItseemsasifIcan\'tbemanenoughtoputthisthoughtasideandgiveupthisafternoon，"saidPhilip。

"Iamashamedofmyself，butIcan\'thelpit。IamgoingtoaskGodtomakethatlastdoubtvanishbeforeIgothisnight。Iamgoingtobelievethatringwillpleadforme。Iamgoingtohopethatdoubtwilldisappearsuddenly。

Iwillbewatching。EverysecondIwillbewatching。

Ifithappensandyoucan\'tspeak，givemeyourhand。

Justtheleastmovementtowardme，Iwillunderstand。

Wouldithelpyoutotalkthisoverwithyourmother?

ShallIcallher?ShallI——?"

Honk!Honk!Honk!HartHendersonsetthehornofthebigautomobilegoingasitshotfrombehindthetreesliningtheBrushwoodroad。Thepictureofavine-

coveredcabin，alargedroopingtree，agreen-cladgirlandamanbendingoverherverycloselyflashedintoview。

EdithCarrcaughtherbreathwithasnap。PollyAmmongaveTomLeveringaquicktouchandwickedlywinkedathim。

Severaldaysbefore，EdithhadreturnedfromEuropesuddenly。

SheandHendersonhadcalledattheAmmonresidencesayingthattheyweregoingtomotordowntotheLimberlosttoseePhilipafewhours，andurgedthatPollyandTomaccompanythem。

Mrs。Ammonknewthatherhusbandwoulddisapproveofthetrip，butitwaseasytoseethatEdithCarrhaddeterminedongoing。

SothemotherthoughtitbettertohavePollyalongtosupportPhilipthantoallowhimtoconfrontEdithunexpectedlyandalone。

Pollywasfullofspirit。ShedidnotrelishthethoughtofEdithasasister。Alwaystheyhadbeeninthesameset，alwaysEdith，becauseofgreaterbeautyandwealth，hadpatronizedPolly。Althoughithadrankled，shehadborneitsweetly。Buttwodaysbefore，herfatherhadextractedapromiseofsecrecy，givenherPhilip\'saddressandtoldhertosendhimthefinestemeraldringshecouldselect。

Pollyknewhowthatringwouldbeused。Whatshedidnotknowwasthatthegirlwhoaccompaniedherwentbacktothestoreafterward，madeanexcusetotheclerkthatshehadbeensenttobeabsolutelysurethattheaddresswasright，andsosecureditforEdithCarr。

TwodayslaterEdithhadinducedHartHendersontotakehertoOnabasha。BytheaidofmapstheylocatedtheComstocklandandpassedit，merelytoseetheplace。

Hendersonhatedthattrip，andimploredEdithnottotakeit，butshemadenoefforttoconcealfromhimwhatshesuffered，anditwasmorethanhecouldendure。HepointedoutthatPhiliphadgoneawaywithoutleavinganaddress，becausehedidnotwishtoseeher，oranyofthem。

ButEdithwassosureofherpower，shefeltcertainPhilipneededonlytoseehertosuccumbtoherbeautyashealwayshaddone，whilenowshewasreadytopleadforforgiveness。

SotheycamedowntheBrushwoodroad，andHendersonhadjustsaidtoEdithbesidehim:"ThisshouldbetheComstocklandonourleft。"

Aminutelaterthewoodended，whilethesunlight，asalwayspitiless，etchedwithdistinctnessthesceneatthewestendofthecabin。Instinctively，tosaveEdith，Hendersonsetthehornblowing。Hehadthoughttodrivetothecity，butPollyAmmonarosecrying:"Phil!Phil!"

TomLeveringwasonhisfeetshoutingandwaving，whileEdithinhermostimperialmannerorderedhimtoturnintothelaneleadingthroughthewoodsbesidethecabin。

"Findsomewayformetohaveaminutealonewithher，"

shecommandedashestoppedthecar。

"ThatismysisterPolly，herfianceTomLevering，afriendofminenamedHenderson，and——"beganPhilip，"——andEdithCarr，"volunteeredElnora。

"AndEdithCarr，"repeatedPhilipAmmon。"Elnora，bebrave，formysake。Theircomingcanmakenodifferenceinanyway。Iwon\'tletthemstaybutafewminutes。

Comewithme!"

"DoIseemscared?"inquiredElnoraserenely。"Thisiswhyyouhaven\'thadyouranswer。Ihavebeenwaitingjustsixweeksforthatmotor。Youmaybringthemtomeatthearbour。"

Philipglancedatherandbrokeintoalaugh。Shehadnotlostcolour。Herself-possessionwasperfect。

Shedeliberatelyturnedandwalkedtowardthegrapearbour，whilehesprangoverthewestfenceandrantothecar。

Elnorastandinginthearbourentrancemadeaperfectpicture，framedingreenleavesandtendrils。Nomatterhowherheartached，itwasgoodtoher，foritpumpedsteadily，andkepthercheeksandlipssuffusedwithcolour。

ShesawPhilipreachthecarandgatherhissisterintohisarms。PastherhereachedahandtoLevering，thentoEdithCarrandHenderson。Heliftedhissistertotheground，andassistedEdithtoalight。Instantly，shesteppedbesidehim，andElnora\'sheartplayeditsfirsttrick。

ShecouldseethatMissCarrwassplendidlybeautiful，whileshemovedwiththehauteurandgracesupposedtobetheprerogativesofroyalty。AndshehadinstantlytakenpossessionofPhilip。Buthealsohadabrainwhichwasworkingwithrapidity。HeknewElnorawaswatching，soheturnedtotheothers。

"Giveherup，Tom!"hecried。"Ididn\'tknowIwantedtoseethelittlenuisancesobadly，butIdo。Howarefatherandmother?Polly，didn\'tthematersendmesomething?"

"Shedid!"saidPollyAmmon，stoppingonthepathandliftingherchinasalittlechild，whileshedrewawayherveil。

Philipcaughtherinhisarmsandstoopedforhismother\'skiss。

"BegoodtoElnora!"hewhispered。

"Umhu!"assentedPolly。Andaloud——"Lookatthatrippinggreenandgoldsymphony!Ineversawsuchabeauty!

ThomasAsquithLevering，youcomestraighthereandtakemyhand!"

Edith\'smovetocompelPhiliptoapproachElnorabesideherhadbeeneasytosee；alsoitsfailure。HendersonsteppedintoPhilip\'splaceasheturnedtohissister。InsteadoftakingPolly\'shandLeveringrantoopenthegate。

Edithpassedthroughfirst，butPollydartedinfrontofherontherun，withPhilholdingherarm，andsweptuptoElnora。Pollylookedfortheringandsawit。Thatsettledmatterswithher。

"Youlovely，lovely，darlinggirl!"shecried，throwingherarmsaroundElnoraandkissingher。WithherlipscloseElnora\'sear，Pollywhispered，"Sister!Dear，dearsister!"

Elnoradrewback，staringatPollyinconfusedamazement。

Shewasabeautifulgirl，hereyesweresparklinganddancing，andassheturnedtomakewayfortheothers，shekeptoneofElnora\'shandsinhers。PollywouldhavedroppeddeadinthatinstantifEdithCarrcouldhavekilledwithalook，fornotuntilthendidsherealizethatPollywouldevenmanyaslight，andthatithadbeenagreatmistaketobringher。

Edithbowedlow，mutteredsomethingandtouchedElnora\'sfingers。TomtookhiscuefromPolly。

"Ialwaysfollowagoodexample，"hesaid，andbeforeanyonecoulddivinehisintentionhekissedElnoraashegrippedherhandandcried:"Mightygladtomeetyou!

Liketomeetyouadozentimesaday，youknow!"

Elnoralaughedandherheartpumpedsmoothly。Theyhadaccomplishedtheirpurpose。Theyhadletherknowtheyweretherethroughcompulsion，butonherside。InthatinstantonlypitywasinElnora\'sbreastfortheflashingdarkbeauty，standingwithsmilingfacewhileherheartmusthavebeenfilledwithexceedingbitterness。

Elnorasteppedbackfromtheentrance。

"Comeintotheshade，"sheurged。"Youmusthavefounditwarmonthesecountryroads。Won\'tyoulayasideyourdust-coatsandhaveacooldrink?Philip，wouldyouaskmothertocome，andbringthatpitcherfromthespringhouse?"

Theyenteredthearbourexclaimingatthedim，greencoolness。

Therewasplentyofroomandwideseatsaroundthesides，atableinthecentre，onwhichlayapieceofembroidery，magazines，books，themothapparatus，andthecyanidejarcontainingseveralspecimens。Pollyrejoicedinthecoolingshade，slippedoffherduster，removedherhat，rumpledherprettyhairandseatedherselftoindulgeinthedelightfuloccupationofpayingoffoldscores。

TomLeveringfollowedherexample。Edithtookaseatbutrefusedtoremoveherhatandcoat，whileHendersonstoodintheentrance。

"Theregoessomethingwithwings!Shouldyouhavethat?"criedLevering。

Heseizedanetfromthetableandracedacrossthegardenafterabutterfly。Hecaughtitandcamebackmightilypleasedwithhimself。Asthecreaturestruggledinthenet，ElnoranotedarepulsedlookonEdithCarr\'sface。

Leveringhelpedthesituationbeautifully。

"NowwhathaveIgot?"hedemanded。"Isitjustacommononethateveryoneknowsandyoudon\'tkeep，orisittherarestbirdofftheperch?"

"Youmusthavehadpractice，youtookthatsoperfectly，"

saidElnora。"Iamsorry，butitisquitecommonandnotofakindIkeep。Supposeallofyouseehowbeautifulitisandthenitmaygonectarhuntingagain。"

Sheheldthebutterflywhereallofthemcouldsee，showeditsupperandunderwingcolours，answeredPolly\'squestionsastowhatitate，howlongitlived，andhowitdied。ThensheputitintoPolly\'shandsaying:"Standthereinthelightandloosenyourholdslowlyandeasily。"

Elnoracaughtabrushfromthetableandbegansoftlystrokingthecreature\'ssidesandwings。Delightedwiththesensationthebutterflyopenedandcloseditswings，clingingtoPolly\'ssoftlittlefingers，whileeveryonecriedoutinsurprise。Elnoralaidasidethebrush，andthebutterflysailedaway。

"Why，youareawizard!Youcharmthem!"marvelledLevering。

"IlearnedthatfromtheBirdWoman，"saidElnora。

"Shetakessoftbrushesandcoaxesbutterfliesandmothsintothepositionsshewantsfortheillustrationsofabooksheiswriting。Ihavehelpedheroften。MostoftherareonesIfindgotoher。"

"Thenyoudon\'tkeepallyoutake?"questionedLevering。

"Oh，dear，no!"criedElnora。"Notatenth!Formyself，apairofeachkindtouseinillustratingthelecturesI

giveinthecityschoolsinthewinter，andonepairforeachcollectionImake。OnemightaswellkeepthebignightmothsofJune，fortheyonlylivefourorfivedaysanyway。

FortheBirdWoman，Ionlysaverareonesshehasnotyetsecured。

SometimesIthinkitiscrueltotakesuchcreaturesfromfreedom，evenforanhour，butitistheonlywaytoteachthemassesofpeoplehowtodistinguishthepeststheyshoulddestroy，fromtheharmlessonesofgreatbeauty。

Herecomesmotherwithsomethingcooltodrink。"

Mrs。Comstockcamedeliberately，talkingtoPhilipassheapproached。Elnoragaveheronesearchinglook，butcoulddiscoveronlyanextremebrightnessofeyetodenoteanyunusualfeeling。Sheworeoneofherlavenderdresses，whilehersnowyhairwashighpiled。Shehadtakencareofhercomplexion，andherfacehadgrownfullerduringthewinter。Shemighthavebeenanyone\'smotherwithpride，andshewasperfectlyatease。

Pollyinstantlywenttoherandheldupherfacetobekissed。

Mrs。Comstock\'seyestwinkledandshemadethegreetinghearty。

Thedrinkwascompoundedofthejuicesoforangesandberriesfromthegarden。Itwascoolenoughtofrostglassesandpitcheranddelicioustodustytiredtravellers。

Soonthepitcherwasempty，andElnorapickeditupandwenttorefillit。WhileshewasgoneHendersonaskedPhilipaboutsometroublehewashavingwithhiscar。

Theywenttothewoodsandbeganaminuteexaminationtofindadefectwhichdidnotexist。PollyandLeveringwerehavingananimatedconversationwithMrs。Comstock。

HendersonsawEditharise，followthegardenpathnextthewoodsandstandwaitingunderthewillowwhichElnorawouldpassonherreturn。Itwasforthatmeetinghehadmadethetrip。Hegotdownontheground，toreupthecar，worked，askedforhelp，andkeptPhilipbusyscrewingboltsandapplyingtheoilcan。AllthetimeHendersonkeptaneyeonEdithandElnoraunderthewillow。

ButhetookpainstolaytheworkheaskedPhiliptodowherethatscenewouldbeoutofhissight。WhenElnoracamearoundthecornerwiththepitcher，shefoundherselffacingEdithCarr。

"Iwantaminutewithyou，"saidMissCarr。

"Verywell，"repliedElnora，walkingon。

"Setthepitcheronthebenchthere，"commandedEdithCarr，asifspeakingtoaservant。

"Iprefernottooffermyvisitorsawarmdrink，"saidElnora。

"I\'llcomebackifyoureallywishtospeakwithme。"

"Icamesolelyforthat，"saidEdithCarr。

"Itwouldbeapitytotravelsofarinthisdustandheatfornothing。I\'llonlybegoneasecond。"

Elnoraplacedthepitcherbeforehermother。"Pleaseservethis，"shesaid。"MissCarrwishestospeakwithme。"

"Don\'tyoupaytheleastattentiontoanythingshesays，"criedPolly。"TomandIdidn\'tcomeherebecausewewantedto。Weonlycametocheckmateher。IhopedI\'dgettheopportunitytosayawordtoyou，andnowshehasgivenittome。IjustwanttotellyouthatshethrewPhiloverinperfectlyhorridway。Shehasn\'tanyrighttolaytheghostofaclaimtohim，hasshe，Tom?"

"Naryaclaim，"saidTomLeveringearnestly。"Why，evenyou，Polly，couldn\'tservemeasshedidPhil，andevergetmebackagain。IfIwereyou，MissComstock，I\'dsendmymothertotalkwithherandI\'dstayhere。"

TomhadgaugedMrs。Comstockrightly。PollyputherarmsaroundElnora。"Letmegowithyou，dear，"shebegged。

"IpromisedIwouldspeakwithheralone，"saidElnora，"andshemustbeconsidered。Butthankyou，verymuch。"