第3章
"Youseeifshedoesn"t!"saidWesley。"Yougetupandcutitout，andsoonasElnoraisgoneI"llgoafterKatemyself。She"lltakewhatI"llsaybetteralone。
Butshe"llcome，andshe"llhelpmakethedress。TheseotherthingsareourChristmasgiftstoElnora。She"llnodoubtneedthemmorenowthanshewillthen，andwecangivethemjustaswell。That"syours，andthisismine，orwhicheverwayyouchoose。"
Wesleyuntiedagoodbrownumbrellaandshookoutthefoldsofalong，brownraincoat。Margaretdroppedthehat，aroseandtookthecoat。Shetriediton，feltit，cooedoveritandmatcheditwiththeumbrella。
"Diditlookanythinglikerainto-night?"sheinquiredsoanxiouslythatWesleylaughed。
"Andthislastbundle?"shesaid，droppingbackinherchair，thecoatstilloverhershoulders。
"Icouldn"tbuythismuchstuffforanyotherwomanandnothingformyown，"saidWesley。"It"sChristmasforyou，too，Margaret!"HeshookoutfoldafterfoldofsoftgraysatinygoodsthatwouldlooklovelyagainstMargaret"spinkcheeksandwhiteninghair。
"Oh，youolddarling!"sheexclaimed，andfledsobbingintohisarms。
Butshesoondriedhereyes，rakedtogetherthecoalsinthecookingstoveandboiledoneofthedresspatternsinsaltwaterforhalfanhour。Wesleyheldthelampwhileshehungthegoodsonthelinetodry。Thenshesettheironsonthestovesotheywouldbehotthefirstthinginthemorning。
CHAPTERIII
WHEREINELNORAVISITSTHEBIRDWOMAN，ANDOPENSABANKACCOUNT
Fouro"clockthefollowingmorningElnorawasshellingbeans。Atsixshefedthechickensandpigs，swepttwooftheroomsofthecabin，builtafire，andputonthekettleforbreakfast。Thensheclimbedthenarrowstairstotheatticshehadoccupiedsinceaverysmallchild，anddressedinthehatedshoesandbrowncalico，plastereddownhercrispcurls，atewhatbreakfastshecould，andpinningonherhatstartedfortown。
"Thereisnosenseinyourgoingforanhouryet，"
saidhermother。
"Imusttrytodiscoversomewaytoearnthosebooks，"
repliedElnora。"IamperfectlypositiveIshallnotfindthemlyingbesidetheroadwrappedintissuepaper，andtaggedwithmyname。"
Shewenttowardthecityasonyesterday。Herperplexityastowheretuitionandbooksweretocomefromwasworsebutshedidnotfeelquitesobadly。Sheneveragainwouldhavetofaceallofitforthefirsttime。
Therehadbeentimesyesterdaywhenshehadprayedtobehidden，ortodropdead，andneitherhadhappened。
"Ibelievethebestwaytogetananswertoprayeristoworkforit，"mutteredElnoragrimly。
Againshefollowedthetrailtotheswamp，rearrangedherhairandleftthetinpail。Thistimeshefoldedacoupleofsandwichesinthenapkin，andtiedtheminaneatlightpaperparcelwhichshecarriedinherhand。ThenshehurriedalongtheroadtoOnabashaandfoundabook-store。
Theresheaskedthepricesofthelistofbooksthatsheneeded，andlearnedthatsixdollarswouldnotquitesupplythem。Sheanxiouslyinquiredforsecond-handbooks，butwastoldthattheonlywaytosecurethemwasfromthelastyear"sFreshmen。JustthenElnorafeltthatshepositivelycouldnotapproachanyofthoseshesupposedtobeSophomoresandasktobuytheiroldbooks。
Theonlybalmthegirlcouldseeforthehumiliationofyesterdaywastoappearthatdaywithasetofnewbooks。
"Doyouwishthese?"askedtheclerkhurriedly，forthestorewasrapidlyfillingwithschoolchildrenwantinganythingfromadictionarytoapen。
"Yes，"gaspedElnora，"Oh，yes!ButIcannotpayforthemjustnow。Pleaseletmetakethem，andIwillpayforthemonFriday，orreturnthemasperfectastheyare。
Pleasetrustmeforthemafewdays。"
"I"llasktheproprietor，"hesaid。WhenhecamebackElnoraknewtheanswerbeforehespoke。
"I"msorry，"hesaid，"butMr。Hanndoesn"trecognizeyourname。Youarenotacustomerofours，andhefeelsthathecan"ttaketherisk。"
Elnoraclumpedoutofthestore，thethumpofherheavy，shoesbeatingasahammeronherbrain。Shetriedtwootherdealerswiththesameresult，andtheninsickdespaircameintothestreet。Whatcouldshedo?Shewastoofrightenedtothink。Shouldshestayfromschoolthatdayandcanvassthehomesappearingtobelongtothewealthy，andtrytosellbedsofwildferns，asshehadsuggestedtoWesleySinton?Whatwouldshedareaskforbringinginandplantingaclumpofferns?Howcouldshecarrythem?Wouldpeoplebuythem?Sheslowlymovedpastthehotelandthenglancedaroundtoseeiftherewereaclockanywhere，forshefeltsuretheyoungpeoplepassingherconstantlywereontheirwaytoschool。
Thereitstoodinabankwindowinbigblacklettersstaringstraightather:
WANTED:CATERPILLARS，COCOONS，CHRYSALIDES，PUPAECASES，BUTTERFLIES，MOTHS，INDIANRELICS
OFALLKINDS。HIGHESTSCALEOFPRICESPAIDINCASH
Elnoracaughtthewicketatthecashier"sdeskwithbothhandstobraceherselfagainstdisappointment。
"Whoisitwantstobuycocoons，butterflies，andmoths?"shepanted。
"TheBirdWoman，"answeredthecashier。"Haveyousomeforsale?"
"Ihavesome，Idonotknowiftheyarewhatshewouldwant。"
"Well，youhadbetterseeher，"saidthecashier。"Doyouknowwhereshelives?"
"Yes，"saidElnora。"Wouldyoutellmethetime?"
"Twenty-oneaftereight，"wastheanswer。
Shehadnineminutestoreachtheauditoriumorbelate。
Shouldshegotoschool，ortotheBirdWoman?Severalgirlspassedherwalkingswiftlyandsherememberedtheirfaces。
Theywerehurryingtoschool。Elnoracaughttheinfection。
ShewouldseetheBirdWomanatnoon。Algebracamefirst，andthatprofessorwaskind。Perhapsshecouldsliptothesuperintendentandaskhimforabookforthenextlesson，andatnoon——"Oh，dearLordmakeitcometrue，"prayedElnora，atnoonpossiblyshecouldsellsomeofthosewonderfulshining-wingedthingsshehadbeencollectingallherlifearoundtheoutskirtsoftheLimberlost。
Asshewentdownthelonghallshenoticedtheprofessorofmathematicsstandinginthedoorofhisrecitationroom。
Whenshepassedhimhesmiledandspoketoher。
"Ihavebeenwatchingforyou，"hesaid，andElnorastoppedbewildered。
"Forme?"shequestioned。
"Yes，"saidProfessorHenley。"Stepinside。"
Elnorafollowedhimintotheroomandclosedthedoorbehindthem。
"Atteachers"meetinglastevening，oneoftheprofessorsmentionedthatapupilhadbetrayedinclassthatshehadexpectedherbookstobefurnishedbythecity。Ithoughtpossiblyitwasyou。Wasit?"
"Yes，"breathedElnora。
"Thatbeingthecase，"saidProfessorHenley，"itjustoccurredtomeasyouhadexpectedthat，youmightrequirealittletimetosecurethem，andyouaretoofineamathematiciantofallbehindforwantofsupplies。SoI
telephonedoneofourSophomorestobringherlastyear"sbooksthismorning。Iamsorrytosaytheyaresomewhatabused，butthetextisallhere。Youcanhavethemfortwodollars，andpaywhenyouareready。Wouldyoucaretotakethem?"
Elnorasatsuddenly，becauseshecouldnotstandanotherinstant。
Shereachedbothhandsforthebooks，andsaidneveraword。
Theprofessorwassilentalso。AtlastEleanorarose，huggingthosebookstoherheartasamotherclaspsababy。
"Onethingmore，"saidtheprofessor。"Youmaypayyourtuitionquarterly。Youneednotbotheraboutthefirstinstalmentthismonth。AnytimeinOctoberwilldo。"
ItseemedasifElnora"sgaspofreliefmusthavereachedthesolesofherbrogans。
"Didanyoneevertellyouhowbeautifulyouare!"shecried。
Astheprofessorwaslank，tow-hairedandsonear-
sighted，thathepeeredathispupilsthroughspectacles，nooneeverhad。
"No，"saidProfessorHenley，"I"vewaitedsometimeforthat；forwhichreasonIshallappreciateitallthemore。
Comenow，orweshallbelateforopeningexercises。"
SoElnoraenteredtheauditoriumasecondtime。HerfacewaslikethebrightestdawnthateverbrokeovertheLimberlost。
Nomatteraboutthelumberingshoesandskimpydress。
Nomatteraboutanything，shehadthebooks。Shecouldtakethemhome。Inhergarretshecouldcommitthemtomemory，ifneedbe。Shecouldprovethatclotheswerenotall。IftheBirdWomandidnotwantanyofthemanydifferentkindsofspecimensshehadcollected，shewasquitesurenowshecouldsellferns，nuts，andagreatmanythings。Then，too，agirlmadeaplaceforherthatmorning，andseveralsmiledandbowed。Elnoraforgoteverythingsaveherbooks，andthatshewaswhereshecouldusethemintelligently——everythingexceptonelittlethingawaybackinherhead。Hermotherhadknownaboutthebooksandthetuition，andhadnottoldherwhensheagreedtohercoming。
AtnoonElnoratookherlittleparceloflunchandstartedtothehomeoftheBirdWoman。Shemustknowaboutthespecimensfirstandthenshewouldwalktothesuburbssomewhereandeatafewbites。Shedroppedtheheavyironknockeronthedoorofabigredlogcabin，andherheartthumpedattheresoundingstroke。
"IstheBirdWomanathome?"sheaskedofthemaid。
"Sheisatlunch，"wastheanswer。
"PleaseaskherifshewillseeagirlfromtheLimberlostaboutsomemoths?"inquiredElnora。
"Ineverneedask，ifit"smoths，"laughedthegirl。
"Ordersaretobringanyonewithspecimensrightin。
Comethisway。"
Elnorafolloweddownthehallandenteredalongroomwithhighpanelledwainscoting，oldEnglishfireplacewithanovermantelandclosetsofpeculiarchinafillingthecorners。
Atabaretableofoak，yellowasgold，satawomanElnoraoftenhadwatchedandfollowedcovertlyaroundtheLimberlost。
TheBirdWomanwasholdingoutahandofwelcome。
Iheard!"shelaughed。"Alittlepasteboardbox，orjustthemereword`specimen，"passesyouatmydoor。
IfitismothsIhopeyouhavehundreds。I"vebeenverybusyallsummerandunabletocollect，andIneedsomany。
Sitdownandlunchwithme，whilewetalkitover。
FromtheLimberlost，didyousay?"
"Iliveneartheswamp，"repliedElnora。"Sinceit"ssoclearedIdaregoaroundtheedgeindaytime，thoughweareallafraidatnight。"
"Whathaveyoucollected?"askedtheBirdWoman，asshehelpedElnoratosandwichesunlikeanysheeverbeforehadtasted，saladthatseemedtobemadeofmanyfamiliarthings，andacupofhotchocolatethatwouldhavedelightedanyhungryschoolgirl。
"IamafraidIambotheringyoufornothing，andimposingonyou，"shesaid。"That"collected"frightensme。
I"veonlygathered。Ialwayslovedeverythingoutdoors，soImadefriendsandplaymatesofthem。WhenIlearnedthatthemothsdiesosoon，Isavedthemespecially，becausethereseemednowickednessinit。"
"Ihavethoughtthesamething，"saidtheBirdWomanencouragingly。Thenbecausethegirlcouldnoteatuntilshelearnedaboutthemoths，theBirdWomanaskedElnoraifsheknewwhatkindsshehad。
"Notallofthem，"answeredElnora。"BeforeMr。
DuncanmovedawayheoftensawmeneartheedgeoftheswampandheshowedmetheboxhehadfixedforFreckles，andgavemethekey。Thereweresomebooksandthings，sofromthattimeonIstudiedandtriedtotakemothsright，butIamafraidtheyarenotwhatyouwant。"
"AretheythebigonesthatflymostlyinJunenights?"
askedtheBirdWoman。
"Yes，"saidElnora。"Biggrayoneswithreddishmarkings，paleblue-green，yellowwithlavender，andredandyellow。"
"Whatdoyoumeanby`redandyellow?""askedtheBirdWomansoquicklythatthegirlalmostjumped"Notexactlyred，"explainedElnora，withtremulousvoice。
"Areddish，yellowishbrown，withcanary-colouredspotsandgraylinesontheirwings。"
"Howmanyofthem?"Itwasthesamequickquestion。
"Ihadovertwohundredeggs，"saidElnora，"butsomeofthemdidn"thatch，andsomeofthecaterpillarsdied，buttheremustbeatleastahundredperfectones。"
"Perfect!Howperfect?"criedtheBirdWoman。
"Imeanwholewings，nodowngone，andalltheirlegsandantennae，"falteredElnora。
"Youngwoman，that"stherarestmothinAmerica，"
saidtheBirdWomansolemnly。"Ifyouhaveahundredofthem，theyareworthahundreddollarsaccordingtomylist。Icanuseallthatarenotdamaged。"
"Whatiftheyarenotpinnedright，"quaveredElnora。
"Iftheyareperfect，thatdoesnotmaketheslightestdifference。IknowhowtosoftenthemsothatIcanputthemintoanyshapeIchoose。
Wherearethey?WhenmayIseethem?"
"TheyareinFreckles"soldcaseintheLimberlost，"
saidElnora。"Icouldn"tcarrymanyforfearofbreakingthem，butIcouldbringafewafterschool。"
"Youcomehereatfour，"saidtheBirdWoman，"andwewilldriveoutwithsomespecimenboxes，andapricelist，andseewhatyouhavetosell。Aretheyyourveryown?
Areyoufreetopartwiththem?"
"Theyaremine，"saidElnora。"NoonebutGodknowsIhavethem。Mr。Duncangavemethebooksandthebox。HetoldFrecklesaboutme，andFrecklestoldhimtogivemeallheleft。Hesaidformetosticktotheswampandbebrave，andmyhourwouldcome，andithas!Iknowmostofthemareallright，andoh，I
doneedthemoney!"
"Couldyoutellme?"askedtheBirdWomansoftly。
"Youseetheswampandallthefieldsarounditaresofull，"explainedElnora。"EverydayIfeltsmallerandsmaller，andIwantedtoknowmoreandmore，andprettysoonIgrewdesperate，justasFrecklesdid。ButIambetteroffthanhewas，forIhavehisbooks，andIhaveamother；evenifshedoesn"tcareformeasothergirls"
mothersdoforthem，it"sbetterthannoone。"
TheBirdWoman"sglancefell，forthegirlwasnotconsciousofhowmuchshewasrevealing。Hereyeswerefixedonablackpitcherfilledwithgoldenrodinthecentreofthetableandshewassayingwhatshethought。
"AslongasIcouldgototheBrushwoodschoolIwashappy，butIcouldn"tgofurtherjustwhenthingswerethemostinteresting，soIwasdeterminedI"dcometohighschoolandmotherwouldn"tconsent。Youseethere"splentyofland，butfatherwasdrownedwhenI
wasababy，andmotherandIcan"tmakemoneyasmendo。
Thetaxesarehighereveryyear，andshesaiditwastooexpensive。Iwouldn"tgiveheranyrest，untilatlastsheboughtmethisdress，andtheseshoesandIcame。
Itwasawful!"
"Doyouliveinthatbeautifulcabinatthenorthwestendoftheswamp?"askedtheBirdWoman。
"Yes，"saidElnora。
"Iremembertheplaceandastoryaboutit，now。
Youenteredthehighschoolyesterday?"
"Yes。"
"Itwasratherbad?"
"Ratherbad!"echoedElnora。
TheBirdWomanlaughed。
"Youcan"ttellmeanythingaboutthat，"shesaid。
"Ionceenteredacityschoolstraightfromthecountry。
Mydresswasbrowncalico，andmyshoeswereheavy。"
ThetearsbegantorolldownElnora"scheeks。
"Didthey——?"shefaltered。
"Theydid!"saidtheBirdWoman。"Allofit。Iamsuretheydidnotmissoneleastlittlething。"
Thenshewipedawaysometearsthatbegancoursinghercheeks，andlaughedatthesametime。
"Wherearetheynow?"askedElnorasuddenly。
"Theyarewidelyscattered，butnoneofthemhaveattainedheightsoutofrange。Someofthericharepoor，andsomeofthepoorarerich。Someofthebrightestdiedinsane，andsomeofthedullestworkedouthighpositions；someoftheveryworsttobearhavegoneout，andIfrequentlyhearfromothers。NowIamhere，abletorememberit，andminglelaughterwithwhatusedtobealltears；foreverydayIhavemybeautifulwork，andalmosteverydayGodsendssomeonelikeyoutohelpme。Whatisyourname，mygirl?"
"ElnoraComstock，"answeredElnora。"YesterdayontheboarditchangedtoCornstock，andforaminuteI
thoughtI"ddie，butIcanlaughoverthatalready。"
TheBirdWomanaroseandkissedher。"Finishyourlunch，"shesaid，"andIwillbringmypricelists，andmakeamemorandumofwhatyouthinkyouhave，soI
willknowhowmanyboxestoprepare。Andrememberthis:
Whatyouarelieswithyou。Ifyouarelazy，andacceptyourlot，youmayliveinit。Ifyouarewillingtowork，youcanwriteyournameanywhereyouchoose，amongtheonlyoneswholivebeyondthegraveinthisworld，thepeoplewhowritebooksthathelp，makeexquisitemusic，carvestatues，paintpictures，andworkforothers。
Nevermindthecalicodress，andthecoarseshoes。
Workatyourbooks，andbeforelongyouwillhearyesterday"stormentorsboastingthattheywereonceclassmatesofyours。`Icouldataleunfold"——!"
ShelaughinglylefttheroomandElnorasatthinking，untilsherememberedhowhungryshewas，sosheatethefood，drankthehotchocolateandbegantofeelbetter。
ThentheBirdWomancamebackandshowedElnoraalongprintedslipgivingalistofgraduatedpricesformoths，butterflies，anddragonflies。
"Oh，doyouwantthem!"exultedElnora。"IhaveafewandIcangetmorebythethousand，witheverycolourintheworldontheirwings。"
"Yes，"saidtheBirdWoman，"Iwillbuythem，alsothebigmothcaterpillarsthatarecreepingeverywherenow，andthecocoonsthattheywillspinjustaboutthistime。
Ihaveasneakingimpressionthatthemystery，wonder，andtheurgeoftheirpurebeauty，aregoingtoforcemetopictureandpaintourmothsandputthemintoabookforalltheworldtoseeandknow。WeLimberlostpeoplemustnotbeselfishwiththewondersGodhasgiventous。
Wemustsharewiththosepoorcooped-upcitypeoplethebestwecan。Tosendthemabeautifulbook，thatistheway，isitnot，littlenewfriendofmine?"
"Yes，ohyes!"criedElnora。"AndpleaseGodtheyfindawaytoearnthemoneytobuythebooks，asIhavethoseIneedsobadly。"
"Iwillpaygoodpricesforallthemothsyoucanfind，"
saidtheBirdWoman，"becauseyouseeIexchangethemwithforeigncollectors。IwantacompleteseriesofthemothsofAmericatotradewithaGermanscientist，anotherwithamaninIndia，andanotherinBrazil。
OthersIcanexchangewithhomecollectorsforthoseofCaliforniaandCanada，soyouseeIcanuseallyoucanraise，orfind。Thebankerwillbuystoneaxes，arrowpoints，andIndianpipes。Therewasateacherfromthecitygradeschoolshereto-dayforspecimens。Thereisafundtosupplythewardbuildings。I"llhelpyougetintouchwiththat。Theywantleavesofdifferenttrees，flowers，grasses，moths，insects，birds"nestsandanythingaboutbirds。"
Elnora"seyeswereblazing。"HadIbettergobacktoschooloropenabankaccountandbeginbeingamillionaire?
UncleWesleyandIhaveabushelofarrowpointsgathered，astackofaxes，pipes，skin-dressingtools，tubesandmortars。
Idon"tknowhowIevershallwaitthreehours。"
"Youmustgo，oryouwillbelate，"saidtheBirdWoman。
"Iwillbereadyatfour。"
AfterschoolclosedElnora，seatedbesidetheBirdWoman，drovetoFreckles"sroomintheLimberlost。Oneatatimethebeautifulbigmothsweretakenfromtheinterioroftheoldblackcase。Notafourthofthemcouldbemovedthatnightanditwasalmostdarkwhenthelastboxwasclosed，thelistfigured，andintoElnora"stremblingfingerswerepaidfifty-ninedollarsandsixteencents。
Elnoraclaspedthemoneyclosely。
"Ohyoubeautifulstuff!"shecried。"Youaregoingtobuythebooks，paythetuition，andtakemetohighschool。"
Thenbecauseshewasawoman，shesatonalogandlookedathershoes。LongaftertheBirdWomandroveawayElnoraremained。Shehadherproblem，anditwasabigone。Ifshetoldhermother，wouldshetakethemoneytopaythetaxes?Ifshedidnottellher，howcouldsheaccountforthebooks，andthingsforwhichshewouldspendit。Atlastshecountedoutwhatsheneededforthenextday，placedtheremainderinthefarthestcornerofthecase，andlockedthedoor。Shethenfilledthefrontofherskirtfromaheapofarrowpointsbeneaththecaseandstartedhome。
CHAPTERIV
WHEREINTHESINTONSAREDISAPPOINTED，ANDMRS。COMSTOCKLEARNSTHATSHECANLAUGH
WiththefirststreakofredabovetheLimberlostMargaretSintonwasbusywiththeginghamandtheintricatepaperpatternshehadpurchased。
WesleycookedthebreakfastandworkeduntilhethoughtElnorawouldbegone，thenhestartedtobringhermother。
"Nowyoubemightycareful，"cautionedMargaret。
"Idon"tknowhowshewilltakeit。"
"Idon"teither，"saidWesleyphilosophically，"butshe"sgottotakeitsomeway。Thatdresshastobefinishedbyschooltimeinthemorning。"
Wesleyhadnotsleptwellthatnight。HehadbeensobusyframingdiplomaticspeechestomaketoMrs。Comstockthatsleephadlittlechancewithhim。Everystepnearertoherheapproachedhispositionseemedlessenviable。
Bythetimehereachedthefrontgateandstarteddownthewalkbetweentherowsofastersandladyslippershewasperspiring，andeveryplausibleandconvincingspeechhadfledhisbrain。Mrs。Comstockhelpedhim。
Shemethimatthedoor。
"Goodmorning，"shesaid。"DidMargaretsendyouforsomething?"
"Yes，"saidWesley。"She"sgotajobthat"stoobigforher，andshewantsyoutohelp。"
"OfcourseIwill，"saidMrs。Comstock。Itwasnoone"saffairhowlonelythepreviousdayhadbeen，orhowtheendlesshoursofthepresentwoulddrag。
"Whatisshedoinginsucharush?"
Nowwashischance。
"She"smakingadressforElnora，"answered，Wesley。
HesawMrs。Comstock"sformstraighten，andherfaceharden，sohecontinuedhastily。"YouseeElnorahasbeenhelpingusatharvesttime，butchering，andwithunexpectedvisitorsforyears。We"vemadeoutthatshe"ssavedusaconsiderablesum，andasshewouldn"tevertouchanypayforanything，wejustwenttotownandgotafewclotheswethoughtwouldfixherupalittleforthehighschool。Wewanttogetadressdoneto-daymightybad，butMargaretisslowaboutsewing，andshenevercanfinishalone，soIcameafteryou。"
"Andit"ssuchasimplelittlematter，sodeadeasy；
andallsobetweenoldfriendslike，thatyoucan"tlookaboveyourbootswhileyouexplainit，"sneeredMrs。Comstock。
"WesleySinton，whatputtheideaintoyourheadthatElnorawouldtakethingsboughtwithmoney，whenshewouldn"ttakethemoney?
ThenSinton"seyescameupstraightly。
"FindingheronthetraillastnightsobbingashardasIeversawanyoneatafuneral。Shewasn"tcomplainingatall，butshe"scometomeallherlifewithherlittlehurts，andshecouldn"thidehowshe"dbeenlaughedat，twitted，andrunfacetofaceagainstthefactthattherewerebooksandtuition，unexpected，andnothingwillevermakemebelieveyoudidn"tknowthat，KateComstock。"
"Ifanydoubtsaretroublingyouonthatsubject，sureIknewit!Shewassoanxioustotrytheworld，IthoughtI"djustlethertakeafewknocksandseehowshelikedthem。"
"Asifshe"devertakenanythingbutknocksallherlife!"
criedWesleySinton。"KateComstock，youareaheartless，selfishwoman。You"venevershownElnoraanyrealloveinherlife。Ifevershefindsoutthatthingyou"llloseher，anditwillserveyouright。"
"Sheknowsitnow，"saidMrs。Comstockicily，"andshe"llbehometo-nightjustasusual。"
"Well，youareabravewomanifyoudaredputagirlofElnora"smakethroughwhatshesufferedyesterday，andwillsufferagainto-day，andletherknowyoudiditonpurpose。
Iadmireyournerve。ButI"vewatchedthissinceElnorawasborn，andIgotenough。Thingshavecometoapasswheretheygobetterforher，orIinterfere。"
"Asifyou"deverdoneanythingbutinterfereallherlife!
ThinkIhaven"twatchedyou?ThinkI，withmyheartrawinmybreast，andtoonumbtoresentitopenly，haven"tseenyouandMagSintontryingtoturnElnoraagainstmedayafterday?Whendidyouevertellherwhatherfathermeanttome?Whendidyouevertrytomakeherseethewreckofmylife，andwhatI"vesuffered?
Noindeed!Alwaysit"sbeenpoorlittleabusedElnora，andcakes，kissing，extraclothes，andencouraginghertoruntoyouwithapitifulmoutheverytimeItriedtomakeawomanofher。"
"KateComstock，that"sunjust，"criedSinton。"OnlylastnightItriedtoshowherthepictureIsawthedayshewasborn。Ibeggedhertocometoyouandtellyoupleasantwhatsheneeded，andaskyouforwhatIhappentoknowyoucanwellaffordtogiveher。"
"Ican"t!"criedMrs。Comstock。"YouknowIcan"t!"
"Thengetsoyoucan!"saidWesleySinton。"Anydayyousaythewordyoucansellsixthousandworthofraretimberoffthisplaceeasy。I"llseetoclearingandworkingthefieldscheapasdirt，forElnora"ssake。
I"llbuyyoumorecattletofatten。Allyou"vegottodoissignalease，topullthousandsfromthegroundinoil，astherestofusaredoingallaroundyou!"
"CutdownRobert"strees!"shriekedMrs。Comstock。
"Tearuphisland!Covereverythingwithhorrid，greasyoil!I"lldiefirst。"
"Youmeanyou"llletElnoragolikeabeggar，andhurtandmortifyherpastbearing。I"vegottotheplacewhereItellyouplainwhatIamgoingtodo。MaggieandI
wenttotownlastnight，andweboughtwhatthingsElnoraneedsmosturgenttomakeherlookalittleliketherestofthehighschoolgirls。NowhereitisinplainEnglish。
Youcanhelpgetthesethingsready，andletusgivethemtoheraswewant——"
"Shewon"ttouchthem!"criedMrs。Comstock。
"Thenyoucanpayus，andshecantakethemasherright——"
"Iwon"t!"
"ThenIwilltellElnorajustwhatyouareworth，whatyoucanafford，andhowmuchofthissheowns。I"llloanherthemoneytobuybooksanddecentclothes，andwhensheisofageshecansellhershareandpayme。"
Mrs。Comstockgrippedachair-backandopenedherlips，butnowordscame。
"And，"Sintoncontinued，"ifsheissomuchlikeyouthatshewon"tdothat，I"llgotothecountyseatandlaycomplaintagainstyouasherguardianbeforethejudge。
I"llsweartowhatyouareworth，andhowyouareraisingher，andhaveyoudischarged，orhavethejudgeappointsomemanwhowillseethatsheiscomfortable，educated，anddecentlooking!"
"You——youwouldn"t!"gaspedKateComstock。
"Iwon"tneedto，Kate!"saidSinton，hisheartsofteningtheinstantthehardwordsweresaid。"Youwon"tshowit，butyoudoloveElnora!Youcan"thelpit!
Youmustseehowsheneedsthings；comehelpusfixthem，andbefriends。MaggieandIcouldn"tlivewithouther，andyoucouldn"teither。You"vegottolovesuchafinegirlassheis；letitshowalittle!"
"Youcanhardlyexpectmetoloveher，"saidMrs。
Comstockcoldly。"Butforheramanwouldstandbackofmenow，whowouldbeatthebreathoutofyoursneakingbodyforthecowardlythingwithwhichyouthreatenme。
AfterallI"vesufferedyou"ddragmetocourtandcompelmetotearupRobert"sproperty。IfIevergotheycarryme。Iftheytouchonetree，orputdownonegreasyoldoilwell，itwillbeoverallIcanshoot，beforetheybegin。Now，seehowquickyoucanclearoutofhere!"
"Youwon"tcomeandhelpMaggiewiththedress?"
ForanswerMrs。Comstocklookedaroundswiftlyforsomeobjectonwhichtolayherhands。Knowinghertemper，WesleySintonleftwithallthehasteconsistentwithdignity。Buthedidnotgohome。Hecrossedafield，andinanhourbroughtanotherneighbourwhowasskilfulwithherneedle。WithsinkingheartMargaretsawthemcoming。
"Kateistoobusytohelpto-day，shecan"tsewbeforeto-morrow，"saidWesleycheerfullyastheyentered。
ThatquietedMargaret"sapprehensionalittle，thoughshehadsomedoubts。Wesleypreparedthelunch，andbyfouro"clockthedresswasfinishedasfarasitpossiblycouldbeuntilitwasfittedonElnora。Ifthatdidnotentailtoomuchwork，itcouldbecompletedintwohours。
ThenMargaretpackedtheirpurchasesintothebigmarketbasket。Wesleytookthehat，umbrella，andraincoat，andtheywenttoMrs。Comstock"s。Astheyreachedthestep，MargaretspokepleasantlytoMrs。Comstock，whosatreadingjustinsidethedoor，butshedidnotansweranddeliberatelyturnedaleafwithoutlookingup。
WesleySintonopenedthedoorandwentinfollowedbyMargaret。
"Kate，"hesaid，"youneedn"ttakeoutyourmadoverourlittleracketonMaggie。Iain"ttoldherawordIsaidtoyou，oryousaidtome。She"snotsoverystrong，andshe"ssewedsincefouro"clockthismorningtogetthisdressreadyforto-morrow。It"sdoneandwecamedowntotryitonElnora。"