第1章
ElnoraComstock，haveyoulostyoursenses?"
demandedtheangryvoiceofKatharineComstockwhilesheglaredatherdaughter。
"Whymother!"falteredthegirl。
"Don"tyou`whymother"me!"criedMrs。Comstock。
"YouknowverywellwhatImean。You"vegivenmenopeaceuntilyou"vehadyourwayaboutthisgoingtoschoolbusiness；I"vefixedyougoodenough，andyou"rereadytostart。ButnochildofminewalksthestreetsofOnabashalookinglikeaplay-actresswoman。Youwetyourhairandcombitdownmodestanddecentandthenbeoff，oryou"llhavenotimetofindwhereyoubelong。"
Elnoragaveonedespairingglanceatthewhiteface，framedinamostbecomingriotofreddish-brownhair，whichshesawinthelittlekitchenmirror。Thensheuntiedthenarrowblackribbon，wetthecombandplasteredthewavingcurlsclosetoherhead，boundthemfast，pinnedontheskimpyblackhatandopenedthebackdoor。
"You"vegonesoplumbdaffyyouareforgettingyourdinner，"jeeredhermother。
"Idon"twantanythingtoeat，"repliedElnora。
"You"lltakeyourdinneroryou"llnotgoonestep。
Areyoucrazy?Walkalmostthreemilesandnofoodfromsixinthemorninguntilsixatnight。Aprettyfigureyou"dcutifyouhadyourway!AndafterI"vegoneandboughtyouthisnicenewpailandfilleditespecialtostarton!"
Elnoracamebackwithafacestillwhiterandpickedupthelunch。"Thankyou，mother!Good-bye!"shesaid。Mrs。Comstockdidnotreply。Shewatchedthegirlfollowthelongwalktothegateandgofromsightontheroad，inthebrightsunshineofthefirstMondayofSeptember。
"Ibetadollarshegetsenoughofitbynight!"
commentedMrs。Comstock。
Elnorawalkedbyinstinct，forhereyeswereblindedwithtears。Shelefttheroadwhereitturnedsouth，atthecorneroftheLimberlost，climbedasnakefenceandenteredapathwornbyherownfeet。Dodgingunderwillowandscruboakbranchesshecameatlasttothefaintoutlineofanoldtrailmadeinthedayswhentheprecioustimberoftheswampwasguardedbyarmedmen。Thispathshefolloweduntilshereachedathickclumpofbushes。Fromthedebrisintheendofahollowlogshetookakeythatunlockedthepadlockofalargeweatherbeatenoldbox，insideofwhichlayseveralbooks，abutterflyapparatus，andasmallcrackedmirror。Thewallswerelinedthicklywithgaudybutterflies，dragonflies，andmoths。Shesetupthemirrorandoncemorepullingtheribbonfromherhair，sheshookthebrightmassoverhershoulders，tossingitdryinthesunshine。
Thenshestraightenedit，bounditloosely，andreplacedherhat。Shetuggedvainlyatthelowbrowncalicocollarandgazeddespairinglyatthegenerouslengthofthenarrowskirt。Shelifteditasshewouldhavecutitifpossible。Thatdisclosedtheheavyhighleathershoes，atsightofwhichsheseemedpositivelyill，andhastilydroppedtheskirt。Sheopenedthepail，removedthelunch，wrappeditinthenapkin，andplaceditinasmallpasteboardbox。Lockingthecaseagainshehidthekeyandhurrieddownthetrail。
Shefolloweditaroundthenorthendoftheswampandthenenteredafootpathcrossingafarmleadinginthedirectionofthespiresofthecitytothenortheast。
Againsheclimbedafenceandwasontheopenroad。Foraninstantsheleanedagainstthefencestaringbeforeher，thenturnedandlookedback。Behindherlaythelandonwhichshehadbeenborntodrudgeryandamotherwhomadenopretenceoflovingher；beforeherlaythecitythroughwhoseschoolsshehopedtofindmeansofescapeandthewaytoreachthethingsforwhichshecared。Whenshethoughtofhowsheappearedsheleanedmoreheavilyagainstthefenceandgroaned；
whenshethoughtofturningbackandwearingsuchclothinginignoranceallthedaysofherlifeshesetherteethfirmlyandwenthastilytowardOnabasha。
Onthebridgecrossingadeepculvertatthesuburbssheglancedaround，andthenkneelingshethrustthelunchboxbetweenthefoundationandtheflooring。
Thisleftherempty-handedassheapproachedthebigstonehighschoolbuilding。Sheenteredbravelyandinquiredherwaytotheofficeofthesuperintendent。Thereshelearnedthatsheshouldhavecomethepreviousweekandarrangedaboutherclasses。Thereweremanythingsincidenttotheopeningofschool，andonemanunabletocopewithallofthem。
"Wherehaveyoubeenattendingschool?"heasked，whileheadvisedtheteacherofDomesticSciencenottotelephoneforgroceriesuntilsheknewhowmanyshewouldhaveinherclasses；wroteanorderforchemicalsforthestudentsofscience；andadvisedtheleaderoftheorchestratohireaprofessionaltotaketheplaceofthebassviolist，reportedsuddenlyill。
"IfinishedlastspringatBrushwoodschool，districtnumbernine，"saidElnora。"Ihavebeenstudyingallsummer。
IamquitesureIcandothefirstyearwork，ifIhaveafewdaystogetstarted。"
"Ofcourse，ofcourse，"assentedthesuperintendent。
"Almostinvariablycountrypupilsdogoodwork。Youmayenterfirstyear，andifitistoodifficult，wewillfinditoutspeedily。Yourteacherswilltellyouthelistofbooksyoumusthave，andifyouwillcomewithmeIwillshowyouthewaytotheauditorium。Itisnowtimeforopeningexercises。Takeanyseatyoufindvacant。"
Elnorastoodbeforetheentranceandstaredintothelargestroomsheeverhadseen。Thefloorslopedtoayawningstageonwhichabandofmusicians，groupedaroundagrandpiano，weretuningtheirinstruments。
Shehadtwofleetingimpressions。Thatitwasallamistake；thiswasnoschool，butagranddisplayofenormousribbonbows；andthesecond，thatshewassinking，andhadforgottenhowtowalk。Thenaburstfromtheorchestranervedherwhileabevyofdaintilyclad，sweet-
smellingthingsthatmighthavebeenbirds，orflowers，orpossiblygailydressed，happyyounggirls，pushedherforward。Shefoundherselfploddingacrossthebackoftheauditorium，prayingforguidance，toanemptyseat。
Asthegirlspassedher，vacanciesseemedtoopentomeetthem。Theirfriendsweremovingover，beckoningandwhisperinginvitations。Everyoneelsewasseated，butnoonepaidanyattentiontothewhite-facedgirlstumblinghalf-blindlydowntheaislenextthefarthestwall。
Soshewentontotheveryendfacingthestage。
Noonemoved，andshecouldnotsummoncouragetocrowdpastotherstoseveralemptyseatsshesaw。
Attheendoftheaisleshepausedindesperation，whileshestaredbackatthewholeforestoffacesmostofwhichwerenowturneduponher。
Inaflashcamethefullrealizationofherscantydress，herpitifullittlehatandribbon，herbig，heavyshoes，herignoranceofwheretogoorwhattodo；andfromasickeningwavewhichcreptoverher，shefeltshewasgoingtobecomeveryill。Thenoutofthemassshesawapairofbig，brownboyeyes，threeseatsfromher，andtherewasamessageinthem。Withoutmovinghisbodyhereachedforwardandwithapenciltouchedthebackoftheseatbeforehim。InstantlyElnoratookanotherstepwhichbroughthertoarowofvacantfrontseats。
Sheheardlaughterbehindher；theknowledgethatsheworetheonlyhatintheroomburnedher；everymatterofmoment，andsomeofnoneatall，cutandstung。
Shehadnobooks。Whereshouldshegowhenthiswasover?Whatwouldshegivetobeonthetrailgoinghome!Shewasshakingwithanervouschillwhenthemusicceased，andthesuperintendentarose，andcomingdowntothefrontoftheflower-deckedplatform，openedaBibleandbegantoread。Elnoradidnotknowwhathewasreading，andshefeltthatshedidnotcare。
Wildlyshewasrackingherbraintodecidewhethersheshouldsitstillwhentheotherslefttheroomorfollow，andasksomeonewheretheFreshmenwentfirst。
Inthemidstofthestruggleonesentencefellonherear。
"HidemeundertheshadowofThywings。"
Elnorabegantoprayfrantically。"Hideme，OGod，hideme，undertheshadowofThywings。"
Againandagainsheimploredthatprayer，andbeforesherealizedwhatwascoming，everyonehadarisenandtheroomwasemptyingrapidly。Elnorahurriedafterthenearestgirlandinthepressatthedoortouchedhersleevetimidly。
"WillyoupleasetellmewheretheFreshmengo?"sheaskedhuskily。
Thegirlgaveheronesurprisedglance，anddrewaway。
"Sameplaceasthefreshwomen，"sheanswered，andthosenearestherlaughed。
Elnorastoppedprayingsuddenlyandthecolourcreptintoherface。"I"llwageryouarethefirstpersonImeetwhenIfindit，"shesaidandstoppedshort。"Notthat!
Oh，Imustnotdothat!"shethoughtindismay。"MakeanenemythefirstthingIdo。Oh，notthat!"
Shefollowedwithhereyesastheyoungpeopleseparatedinthehall，someclimbingstairs，somedisappearingdownsidehalls，someenteringadjoiningdoors。Shesawthegirlovertakethebrown-eyedboyandspeaktohim。
HeglancedbackatElnorawithascowlonhisface。
Thenshestoodaloneinthehall。
Presentlyadooropenedandayoungwomancameoutandenteredanotherroom。Elnorawaiteduntilshereturned，andhurriedtoher。"WouldyoutellmewheretheFreshmenare?"shepanted。
"Straightdownthehall，threedoorstoyourleft，"
wastheanswer，asthegirlpassed。
"Oneminuteplease，ohplease，"beggedElnora:
"ShouldIknockorjustopenthedoor?"
"Goinandtakeaseat，"repliedtheteacher。
"Whatiftherearen"tanyseats?"gaspedElnora。
"Classroomsareneverhalf-filled，therewillbeplenty，"
wastheanswer。
Elnoraremovedherhat。Therewasnoplacetoputit，soshecarrieditinherhand。Shelookedinfinitelybetterwithoutit。Afterseveraleffortssheatlastopenedthedoorandsteppinginsidefacedasmallerandmoreconcentratedbatteryofeyes。
"Thesuperintendentsentme。HethinksIbelonghere，"shesaidtotheprofessorinchargeoftheclass，butsheneverbeforeheardthevoicewithwhichshespoke。
Asshestoodwaiting，thegirlofthehallpassedonherwaytotheblackboard，andsuppressedlaughtertoldElnorathatherthrusthadbeenrepeated。
"Beseated，"saidtheprofessor，andthenbecausehesawElnorawasdesperatelyembarrassedheproceededtolendherabookandtoaskherifshehadstudiedalgebra。
Shesaidshehadalittle，butnotthesamebooktheywereusing。
Heaskedherifshefeltthatshecoulddotheworktheywerebeginning，andshesaidshedid。
Thatwashowithappened，thatthreeminutesafterenteringtheroomshewastoldtotakeherplacebesidethegirlwhohadgonelasttotheboard，andwhoseflushedfaceandangryeyesavoidedmeetingElnora"s。Beingcompelledtoconcentrateonherpropositionsheforgotherself。
Whentheprofessoraskedthatallpupilssigntheirworkshefirmlywrote"ElnoraComstock"underherdemonstration。
Thenshetookherseatandwaitedwithwhitelipsandtremblinglimbs，asoneafteranotherprofessorcalledthenamesontheboard，whiletheirownersaroseandexplainedtheirpropositions，or"flunked"iftheyhadnotfoundacorrectsolution。Shewassoeagertocatchtheirformsofexpressionandprepareherselfforherrecitation，thatsheneverlookedfromtheworkontheboard，untilclearlyanddistinctly，"ElnoraComstock，"
calledtheprofessor。
Thedazedgirlstaredattheboard。Onetinycurladdedtothetopofthefirstcurveoftheminhername，hadtransformeditfromagoodoldEnglishpatronymicthatanygirlmightbearproudly，toCornstock。
Elnorasatspeechless。Whenandhowdidithappen?
Shecouldfeelthewaveofsmotheredlaughterintheairaroundher。Arushofangerturnedherfacescarletandhersoulsick。Thevoiceoftheprofessoraddressedherdirectly。
"Thispropositionseemstobebeautifullydemonstrated，MissCornstalk，"hesaid。"Surely，youcantellushowyoudidit。"
Thatwordofpraisesavedher。Shecoulddogoodwork。
Theymightweartheirprettyclothes，havetheirfriendsandmakelifeagreatermiserythaniteverbeforehadbeenforher，butnotoneofthemshoulddobetterworkorbemorewomanly。Thatlaywithher。Shewastall，straight，andhandsomeasshearose。
"OfcourseIcanexplainmywork，"shesaidinnaturaltones。
"WhatIcan"texplainishowIhappenedtobesostupidastomakeamistakeinwritingmyownname。Imusthavebeenalittlenervous。Pleaseexcuseme。"
Shewenttotheboard，sweptoffthesignaturewithonestroke，thenrewroteitplainly。"MynameisComstock，"
shesaiddistinctly。Shereturnedtoherseatandfollowingtheformulausedbytheothersmadeherfirsthighschoolrecitation。
AsElnoraresumedherseatProfessorHenleylookedathersteadily。"Itpuzzlesme，"hesaiddeliberately，howyoucanwriteasbeautifulademonstration，andexplainitasclearlyaseverhasbeendoneinanyofmyclassesandstillbesodisturbedastomakeamistakeinyourownname。
Areyouverysureyoudidthatyourself，MissComstock?"
"Itisimpossiblethatanyoneelseshouldhavedoneit，"
answeredElnora。
"Iamverygladyouthinkso，"saidtheprofessor。
"BeingFreshmen，allofyouarestrangerstome。
Ishoulddisliketobegintheyearwithyoufeelingtherewasoneamongyousmallenoughtodoatricklikethat。
Thenextproposition，please。"
WhenthehourhadgonetheclassfiledbacktothestudyroomandElnorafollowedindesperation，becauseshedidnotknowwhereelsetogo。Shecouldnotstudyasshehadnobooks，andwhentheclassagainlefttheroomtogotoanotherprofessorforthenextrecitation，shewentalso。
Atleasttheycouldputheroutifshedidnotbelongthere。
Nooncameatlast，andshekeptwiththeothersuntiltheydispersedonthesidewalk。Shewassoabnormallyself-
consciousshefanciedallthehundredsofthatlaughing，throngsawandjestedather。Whenshepassedthebrown-eyedboywalkingwiththegirlofherencounter，sheknew，forsheheardhimsay:"Didyoureallyletthatgawkypieceofcalicogetaheadofyou?"Theanswerwasindistinct。
Elnorahurriedfromthecity。Sheintendedtogetherlunch，eatitintheshadeofthefirsttree，andthendecidewhethershewouldgobackorgohome。Shekneltonthebridgeandreachedforherbox，butitwassoverylightthatshewaspreparedforthefactthatitwasempty，beforeopeningit。Therewasonethingforwhichtobethankful。
Theboyortrampwhohadseenherhideit，hadleftthenapkin。
Shewouldnothavetofacehermotherandaccountforitsloss。Sheputitinherpocket，andthrewtheboxintotheditch。Thenshesatonthebridgeandtriedtothink，butherbrainwasconfused。
"Perhapstheworstisover，"shesaidatlast。"Iwillgoback。WhatwouldmothersaytomeifIcamehomenow?"
Soshereturnedtothehighschool，followedsomeotherpupilstothecoatroom，hungherhat，andfoundherwaytothestudywhereshehadbeeninthemorning。Twicethatafternoon，withachingheadandemptystomach，shefacedstrangeprofessors，indifferentbranches。Oncesheescapednotice；thesecondtimetheworsthappened。Shewasaskedaquestionshecouldnotanswer。
"Haveyounotdecidedonyourcourse，andsecuredyourbooks?"
inquiredtheprofessor。
"Ihavedecidedonmycourse，"repliedElnora，"I
donotknowwheretoaskformybooks。"
"Ask?"theprofessorwasbewildered。
"Iunderstoodthebookswerefurnished，"falteredElnora。
"Onlytothosebringinganorderfromthetownshiptrustee，"repliedtheProfessor。
"No!Ohno!"criedElnora。"Iwillhavethemto-
morrow，"andgrippedherdeskforsupportforsheknewthatwasnottrue。Fourbooks，rangingperhapsatadollarandahalfapiece；wouldhermotherbuythem?
Ofcourseshewouldnot——couldnot。
DidnotElnoraknowthestoryofold。Therewasenoughland，butnoonetodoclearingandfarm。Taxonallthoseacres，recentlythenewgravelroadtaxadded，theexpenseoflivingandonlytheworkoftwowomentomeetallofit。Shewasinsanetothinkshecouldcometothecitytoschool。Hermotherhadbeenright。Thegirldecidedthatifonlyshelivedtoreachhome，shewouldstaythereandleadanysortoflifetoavoidmoreofthistorture。Badaswhatshewishedtoescapehadbeen，itwasnothinglikethis。Shenevercouldlivedownthemovementthatwentthroughtheclasswhensheinadvertentlyrevealedthefactthatshehadexpectedbookstobefurnished。Hermotherwouldnotsecurethem；thatsettledthequestion。
Buttheendofmiseryisneverinahurrytocome；beforethedaywasoverthesuperintendententeredtheroomandexplainedthatpupilsfromthecountrywerechargedatuitionoftwentydollarsayear。Thatreallywastheend。
PreviouslyElnorahadcanvassedadozenmethodsforsecuringthemoneyforbooks，rangingallthewayfromofferingtowashthesuperintendent"sdishestobreakingintothebank。Thisadditionalexpensemadeherplanssowildlyimpossible，therewasnothingtodobutholdupherheaduntilshewasfromsight。
Downthelongcorridoraloneamonghundreds，downthelongstreetaloneamongthousands，outintothecountryshecameatlast。Acrossthefenceandfield，alongtheoldtrailoncetroddenbyaboy"sbitteragony，nowstumbledawhite-facedgirl，sickatheart。Shesatonalogandbegantosobinspiteofhereffortsatself-control。Atfirstitwasphysicalbreakdown，later，thoughtcamecrowding。
Ohtheshame，themortification!Whyhadshenotknownofthetuition?Howdidshehappentothinkthatinthecitybookswerefurnished?Perhapsitwasbecauseshehadreadtheywereinseveralstates。Butwhydidshenotknow?Whydidnothermothergowithher?Othermothers——
butwhenhadhermothereverbeenordoneanythingatalllikeothermothers?Becausesheneverhadbeenitwasuselesstoblamehernow。Elnorarealizedsheshouldhavegonetotowntheweekbefore，calledonsomeoneandlearnedallthesethingsherself。Sheshouldhaverememberedhowherclothingwouldlook，beforesheworeitinpublicplaces。Nowsheknew，andherdreamswereover。
Shemustgohometofeedchickens，calves，andpigs，wearcalicoandcoarseshoes，andwithavertedhead，passalibraryallherlife。Shesobbedagain。
"Forpity"ssake，honey，what"sthematter?"askedthevoiceofthenearestneighbour，WesleySinton，asheseatedhimselfbesideElnora。"There，there，"hecontinued，smearingtearsalloverherfaceinanefforttodrythem。
"Wasitasbadasthat，now?Maggiehasbeenjustwildoveryouallday。She"sgotnervousereveryminute。
Shesaidwewerefoolishtoletyougo。Shesaidyourclotheswerenotright，yououghtnottocarrythattinpail，andthattheywouldlaughatyou。Bygum，Iseetheydid!"
"Oh，UncleWesley，"sobbedthegirl，"whydidn"tshetellme?"
"Well，yousee，Elnora，shedidn"tliketo。Yougotsuchawayofholdingupyourhead，andgoingthroughwiththings。Shethoughtsomewaythatyou"dmakeit，tillyougotstarted，andthenshebeguntoseeahundredthingsweshouldhavedone。Ireckonyouhadn"treachedthatbuildingbeforesherememberedthatyourskirtshouldhavebeenpleatedinsteadofgathered，yourshoesbeenlow，andlighterforhotSeptemberweather，andanewhat。Wereyourclothesright，Elnora?"
Thegirlbrokeintohystericallaughter。"Right!"shecried。
"Right!UncleWesley，youshouldhaveseenmeamongthem!
Iwasapicture!They"llneverforgetme。No，theywon"tgetthechance，forthey"llseemeagainto-morrow!
"NowthatiswhatIcallspunk，Elnora!Downrightgrit，"
saidWesleySinton。"Don"tyouletthemlaughyouout。
You"vehelpedMargaretandmeforyearsatharvestandbusytimes，whatyou"veearnedmustamounttoquiteasum。
Youcangetyourselfagoodmanyclotheswithit。"
"Don"tmentionclothes，UncleWesley，"sobbedElnora，"Idon"tcarenowhowIlook。IfIdon"tgobackallofthemwillknowit"sbecauseIamsopoorIcan"tbuymybooks。"
"Oh，Idon"tknowasyouaresodrattedpoor，"saidSintonmeditatively。"Therearethreehundredacresofgoodland，withfinetimberasevergrewonit。"
"Ittakesallwecanearntopaythetax，andmotherwouldn"tcutatreeforherlife。"
"Wellthen，maybe，I"llbecompelledtocutoneforher，"
suggestedSinton。"Anyway，stoptearingyourselftopiecesandtellme。Ifitisn"tclothes，whatisit?"
"It"sbooksandtuition。Overtwentydollarsinall。"
"Humph!FirsttimeIeverknewyoutobestumpedbytwentydollars，Elnora，"saidSinton，pattingherhand。
"It"sthefirsttimeyoueverknewmetowantmoney，"
answeredElnora。"Thisisdifferentfromanythingthateverhappenedtome。Oh，howcanIgetit，UncleWesley?"
"DrivetotownwithmeinthemorningandI"lldrawitfromthebankforyou。Ioweyoueverycentofit。"
"Youknowyoudon"towemeapenny，andIwouldn"ttouchonefromyou，unlessIreallycouldearnit。
Foranythingthat"spastIoweyouandAuntMargaretforallthehomelifeandloveI"veeverknown。Iknowhowyouwork，andI"llnottakeyourmoney。"
"Justaloan，Elnora，justaloanforalittlewhileuntilyoucanearnit。Youcanbeproudwithalltherestoftheworld，buttherearenosecretsbetweenus，arethere，Elnora?"
"No，"saidElnora，"therearenone。YouandAuntMargarethavegivenmeallthelovetherehasbeeninmylife。Thatistheonereasonaboveallotherswhyyoushallnotgivemecharity。Handmemoneybecauseyoufindmecryingforit!Thisisn"tthefirsttimethisoldtrailhasknowntearsandheartache。Allofusknowthatstory。Frecklesstucktowhatheundertookandwonout。Istick，too。WhenDuncanmovedawayhegavemeallFrecklesleftintheswamp，andasIhaveinheritedhispropertymaybehisluckwillcomewithit。
Iwon"ttouchyourmoney，butI"llwinsomeway。First，I"mgoinghomeandtrymother。It"sjustpossibleIcouldfindsecond-handbooks，andperhapsallthetuitionneednotbepaidatonce。Maybetheywouldacceptitquarterly。
Butoh，UncleWesley，youandAuntMargaretkeeponlovingme!
I"msolonely，andnooneelsecares!"
WesleySinton"sjawsmetwithaclick。Heswallowedhardonbitterwordsandchangedwhathewouldhavelikedtosaythreetimesbeforeitbecamearticulate。
"Elnora，"hesaidatlast，"ifithadn"tbeenforonethingI"dhavetriedtotakelegalstepstomakeyouourswhenyouwerethreeyearsold。Maggiesaidthenitwasn"tanyuse，butI"vealwaysheldon。Yousee，Iwasthefirstmanthere，honey，andtherearethingsyousee，thatyoucan"tevermakeanybodyelseunderstand。
ShelovedhimElnora，shejustmadeanidolofhim。
Therewasthatoozygreenhole，withthethickscumbroke，andtwoorthreebigbubblesslowlyrisingthatwerethebreathofhisbody。Thereshewasinspasmsofagony，andbesideherthegreatheavylogshe"dtriedtothrowhim。Ican"teverforgiveherforturningagainstyou，andspoilingyourchildhoodasshehas，butIcouldn"tforgiveanybodyelseforabusingher。
Maggiehasgotnomercyonher，butMaggiedidn"tseewhatIdid，andI"venevertriedtomakeitverycleartoher。
It"sbeenalittletooplainformeeversince。WheneverI
lookatyourmother"sface，Iseewhatshesaw，soIholdmytongueandsay，inmyheart，`Giveheramitemoretime。"Somedayitwillcome。Shedoesloveyou，Elnora。Everybodydoes，honey。It"sjustthatshe"sfeelingsomuch，shecan"texpressherself。Youbeapatientgirlandwaitalittlelonger。Afterall，she"syourmother，andyou"reallshe"sgot，butamemory，anditmightdohergoodtoletherknowthatshewasfooledinthat。"
"Itwouldkillher!"criedthegirlswiftly。"UncleWesley，itwouldkillher!Whatdoyoumean?"