第6章
Sheclosedtheboxandsetitbesidethelunchesofothercountrypupils。Whileherbackwasturned，intotheroomcamethegirlofherencounteronthefirstday，walkedtotherack，andwithanexclamationofapprovaltookdownElnora"shat。
"JustthethingIhavebeenwanting!"shesaid。"Ineversawsuchbeautifulquillsinallmylife。Theymatchmynewbroadclothtoperfection。I"vegottohavethatkindofquillsformyhat。Ineversawthelike!Whoseisit，andwherediditcomefrom?"
Noonesaidaword，forElnora"squestion，thereply，andheranswer，hadbeenrepeated。EveryoneknewthattheLimberlostgirlhadcomeoutaheadandSadieReedhadnotbeenamiable，whenthelittleflourishhadbeenaddedtoElnora"snameinthealgebraclass。Elnora"sswiftglancewaspathetic，butnoonehelpedher。SadieReedglancedfromthehattothefacesaroundherandwondered。
"Why，thisistheFreshmansection，whosehatisit?"
sheaskedagain，thistimeimpatiently。
"That"sthetasselofthecornstock，"saidElnorawithaforcedlaugh。
Theresponsewasgenuine。Everyoneshouted。SadieReedblushed，butshelaughedalso。
"Well，it"sbeautiful，"shesaid，"especiallythequills。
TheyareexactlywhatIwant。IknowIdon"tdeserveanykindnessfromyou，butIdowishyouwouldtellmeatwhosestoreyoufoundthosequills。"
"Gladly!"saidElnora。Youcan"tbuyquillslikethoseatastore。Theyarefromalivingbird。PhoebeSimmsgatherstheminherorchardasherpeacocksshedthem。
Theyarewingquillsfromthemales。"
Thentherewasperfectsilence。HowwasElnoratoknowthatnotagirltherewouldhavetoldthat?
"Ihaven"tadoubtbutIcangetyousome，"sheoffered。
"ShegaveAuntMargaretalargebunch，andthosearepartofthem。Iamquitesureshehasmore，andwouldsparesome。"
SadieReedlaughedshortly。"Youneedn"ttrouble，"
shesaid，"Iwasfooled。Ithoughttheywereexpensivequills。
Iwantedthemforatwenty-dollarvelvettoquetomatchmynewsuit。Iftheyaregatheredfromtheground，really，Icouldn"tusethem。"
"Onlyinspots!"saidElnora。"Theydon"tjustcovertheearth。PhoebeSimms"speacocksaretheonlyoneswithinmilesofOnabasha，andtheymoultbutonceayear。
Ifyourhatcostonlytwentydollars，it"sscarcelygoodenoughforthosequills。Yousee，theAlmightymadeandcolouredthoseHimself；andHeputsthesamekindonPhoebeSimms"speacocksthatHeputontheheadofthefamilyintheforestsofCeylon，awaybackinthebeginning。
AnyoldmanufacturedquillfromNewYorkorChicagowilldoforyourlittletwenty-dollarhat。YoushouldhavesomethinginfinitelybetterthanthattobeworthyofquillsthataremadebytheCreator。"
Howthosegirlsdidlaugh!OneofthemwalkedwithElnoratotheauditorium，satbesideherduringexercises，andtriedtotalkwhenevershedared，tokeepElnorafromseeingthecuriousandadmiringlooksbentuponher。
Forthebrown-eyedboywhistled，andtherewaspantomimeofallsortsgoingonbehindElnora"sbackthatday。
Happywithherbooks，nooneknewhowmuchshesaw，andfromherabsorptioninherstudiesitwasevidentshecaredtoolittletonotice。
AfterschoolshewentagaintothehomeoftheBirdWoman，andtogethertheyvisitedtheswampandcarriedawaymorespecimens。ThistimeElnoraaskedtheBirdWomantokeepthemoneyuntilnoonofthenextday，whenshewouldcallforitandhaveitaddedtoherbankaccount。Sheslowlywalkedhome，forthevisittotheswamphadbroughtbackfullforcetheexperienceofthemorning。Againandagainsheexaminedthecrudelittlenote，forshedidnotknowwhatitmeant，yetitbredvaguefear。TheonlythingofwhichElnoraknewherselfafraidwashermother；whenwithwildeyesandearsdeaftochildishpleading，shesometimeslostcontrolofherselfinthenightandvisitedthepoolwhereherhusbandhadsunkbeforeher，callinghisnameinunearthlytonesandbeggingoftheswamptogivebackitsdead。
CHAPTERVI
WHEREINMRS。COMSTOCKINDULGESIN"FRILLS，"
ANDBILLYREAPPEARS
ItwasWesleySintonwhoreallywrestledwithElnora"sproblemwhilehedroveabouthisbusiness。
Hewasnotforcedtoaskhimselfwhatitmeant；heknew。
TheoldCorsongangwasstillholdingtogether。
EldermemberswhohadescapedthelawhadbeenjoinedbyayoungerbrotherofJack"s，andtheymetinthethickestofthefewremainingfastplacesoftheswamptodrink，gamble，andloaf。Thensuddenly，therewouldbearobberyinsomecountryhousewhereafarmerthatdayhadsoldhiswheatorcornandnotpaidavisittothebank；
orinsomeneighbouringvillage。
ThehomeofMrs。ComstockandElnoraadjoinedtheswamp。
Sinton"slandlaynext，andnotanotherresidenceormaneasytoreachincaseoftrouble。Whoeverwrotethatnotehadsomehumankindnessinhisbreast，butthefactstoodrevealedthathefearedhisstrengthifElnoraweredeliveredintohishands。Wherehadhebeenthepreviousnightwhenheheardthatprayer?Wasthatthefirsttimehehadbeeninsuchproximity?Sintondrovefast，forhewishedtoreachtheswampbeforeElnoraandtheBirdWomanwouldgothere。
Atalmostfourhecametothecase，anddroppingonhiskneesstudiedtheground，everysensealert。Hefoundtwoorthreelittleheelprints。ThoseweremadebyElnoraortheBirdWoman。WhatSintonwantedtolearnwaswhetheralltheremainderwerethefootprintsofoneman。Itwaseasilyseen，theywerenot。Thereweredeep，eventracksmadebyfairlynewshoes，andotherswhereawell-wornheelcutdeeperontheinsideoftheprintthanattheouteredge。UndoubtedlysomeofCorson"soldgangwerewatchingthecase，andthevisitsofthewomentoit。TherewasnodangerthatanyonewouldattacktheBirdWoman。Sheneverwenttotheswampatnight，andonhertripsinthedaytime，everyoneknewthatshecarriedarevolver，understoodhowtouseit，andpursuedherworkinafearlessmanner。
Elnora，prowlingaroundtheswampandluredintotheinteriorbytheflightofmothsandbutterflies；Elnora，withoutfather，money，orfriendssavehimself，todefendher——Elnorawasadifferentproposition。ForthistohappenjustwhentheLimberlostwasbringingtheverydesireofherhearttothegirl，itwastoobad。
Sintonwasafraidforher，yethedidnotwanttoaddtheburdenoffeartoKatharineComstock"strouble，ortodisturbthejoyofElnorainherwork。Hestoppedatthecabinandslowlywentupthewalk。Mrs。Comstockwassittingonthefrontstepswithsomesewing。TheworkseemedtoSintonasifshemightbeengagedinputtingatuckinapetticoat。HethoughtofhowMargarethadshortenedElnora"sdresstotheacceptedlengthforgirlsofherage，andmadeamentalnoteofMrs。Comstock"soccupation。
Shedroppedherworkonherlap，laidherhandsonitandlookedintohisfacewithasneer。
"Youdidn"tletanygrassgrowunderyourfeet，"shesaid。
Sintonsawherwhite，drawnfaceandcomprehended。
"Iwenttopayadebtandseeaboutthisopeningoftheditch，Kate。"
"Yousaidyouweregoingtoprosecuteme。"
"Goodgracious，Kate!"criedSinton。"Isthatwhatyouhavebeenthinkingallday?ItoldyoubeforeIleftyesterdaythatIwouldnotneeddothat。AndIwon"t!
Wecan"taffordtoquarreloverElnora。She"sallwe"vegot。
Nowthatshehasprovedthatifyoudon"tdojustwhatIthinkyououghtbywayofclothesandschooling，shecantakecareofherself，Iputthatoutofmyhead。
WhatIcametoseeyouaboutisakindofscareI"vehadto-day。IwanttoaskyouifyoueverseeanythingabouttheswampthatmakesyouthinktheoldCorsongangisstillatwork?"
"Can"tsaythatIdo，"saidMrs。Comstock。"There"skindofdancinglightstheresometimes，butIsupposeditwasjustpeoplepassingalongtheroadwithlanterns。
Folkshereaboutarenonetoofondoftheswamp。Ihateitlikedeath。I"veneverstayedhereanightinmylifewithoutRobert"srevolver，cleanandloaded，undermypillow，andtheshotgun，samecondition，bythebed。
Ican"tsaythatI"mafraidhereathome。I"mnot。Icantakecareofmyself。Butnoneoftheswampforme!"
"Well，I"mgladyouarenotafraid，Kate，becauseI
musttellyousomething。Elnorastoppedatthecasethismorning，andsomebodyhadbeenintoitinthenight。"
"Brokethelock?"
"No。Usedaduplicatekey。To-dayIheardtherewasamanherelastnight。Iwanttonosearoundalittle。"
Sintonwenttotheeastendofthecabinandlookedupatthewindow。Therewasnowayanyonecouldhavereacheditwithoutaladder，forthelogswerehewedandmortarfilledthecrackseven。Thenhewenttothewestend，thewillowfacedhimasheturnedthecorner。
Heexaminedthetrunkcarefully。Therewasnomistakeaboutsmallparticlesofblackswampmuckadheringtothesidesofthetree。Hereachedthelowbranchesandclimbedthewillow。TherewasearthonthelargelimbcrossingElnora"swindow。Hestoodonit，holdingthebranchashadbeendonethenightbefore，andlookedintotheroom。Hecouldseeverylittle，butheknewthatifithadbeendarkoutsideandsufficientlylightforElnoratostudyinsidehecouldhaveseenvividly。Hebroughthisfaceclosetothenetting，andhecouldseethebedwithitsheadtotheeast，atitsfootthetablewiththecandlesandthechairbeforeit，andthenheknewwherethemanhadbeenwhohadheardElnora"sprayer。
Mrs。Comstockhadfollowedaroundthecornerandstoodwatchinghim。"Doyouthinksomeslinkinghulkwasuptherepeekin"inatElnora?"shedemandedindignantly。
"Thereismuckonthetrunk，andplentyonthelimb，"
saidSinton。"Hadn"tyoubettergetasawandletmetakethisbranchoff?"
"No，Ihadn"t，"saidMrs。Comstock。"Firstplace，Elnora"sclimbedfromthatwindowonthatlimballherlife，andit"shers。Secondplace，noonegetsaheadofmeafterI"vehadwarning。Anycrowthatperchesonthatroostagainwillgetitsfeatherssomewhatscattered。
Lookalongthefence，there，andseeifyoucanfindwherehecamein。"
Theplacewaseasytofindaswasatrailleadingforsomedistancewestofthecabin。
"Youjustgohome，anddon"tfretyourself，"saidMrs。Comstock。"I"lltakecareofthis。Ifyoushouldhearthedinnerbellatanytimeinthenightyoucomedown。
ButIwouldn"tsayanythingtoElnora。Shebetterkeephermindonherstudies，ifshe"sgoingtoschool。"
WhentheworkwasfinishedthatnightElnoratookherbooksandwenttoherroomtopreparesomelessons，buteveryfewminutesshelookedtowardtheswamptoseeiftherewerelightsnearthecase。Mrs。Comstockrakedtogetherthecoalsinthecookingstove，gotoutthelunchbox，andsittingdownshestudieditgrimly。
Atlastshearose。
"WonderhowitwoulddotoshowMagSintonafrillortwo，"shemurmured。
Shewenttoherroom，kneltbeforeabigblack-walnutchestandhuntedthroughitscontentsuntilshefoundanold-fashionedcookbook。Shetendedthefireasshereadandpresentlywasinaction。Shefirstsawedanendfromafragrant，juicy，sugar-curedhamandputittocook。Thenshesetacoupleofeggsboiling，andafterlonghesitationbegancreamingbutterandsugarinacrock。Anhourlatertheodouroftheham，mingledwithsomeoftherichestspicesof"happyAraby，"inacombinationthatcouldmeannothingsavespicecake，creptuptoElnorasostronglythatsheliftedherheadandsniffedamazedly。Shewouldhavegivenallherpreciousmoneytohavegonedownandthrownherarmsaroundhermother"sneck，butshedidnotdaremove。
Mrs。Comstockwasupearly，andwithoutawordhandedElnorathecaseassheleftthenextmorning。
"Thankyou，mother，"saidElnora，andwentonherway。
Shewalkeddowntheroadlookingstraightaheaduntilshecametothecorner，wheresheusuallyenteredtheswamp。Shepaused，glancedthatwayandsmiled。
Thensheturnedandlookedback。Therewasnoonecominginanydirection。Shefollowedtheroaduntilwellaroundthecorner，thenshestoppedandsatonagrassyspot，laidherbooksbesideherandopenedthelunchbox。Lastnight"sodourshadinameasurepreparedherforwhatshewouldsee，butnotquite。Shescarcelycouldbelievehersenses。Halfthebreadcompartmentwasfilledwithdaintysandwichesofbreadandbuttersprinkledwiththeyolkofeggandtheremainderwiththreelargeslicesofthemostfragrantspicecakeimaginable。
Themeatdishcontainedshavedcoldham，ofwhichsheknewthequality，thesaladwastomatoesandcelery，andthecupheldpreservedpear，clearasamber。
Therewasmilkinthebottle，twotissue-wrappedcucumberpicklesinthefoldingdrinking-cup，andafreshnapkininthering。Nolunchwaseverdaintierormorepalatable；
ofthatElnorawasperfectlysure。Andhermotherhadprepareditforher!"Shedoesloveme!"criedthehappygirl。
"Sureasyou"rebornshelovesme；onlyshehasn"tfounditoutyet!"
Shetouchedthepapersdaintily，andsmiledattheboxasifitwerealivingthing。Asshebeganclosingitabreathofairsweptby，liftingthecoveringofthecake。Itwaslikeaninvitation，andbreakfastwasseveralhoursaway。Elnorapickedupapieceandateit。
Thatcaketastedevenbetterthanitlooked。Thenshetriedasandwich。Howdidhermothercometothinkofmakingthemthatway。Theyneverhadanyathome。
Sheslippedoutthefork，sampledthesalad，andone-quarterofpear。Thensheclosedtheboxandstarteddowntheroadnibblingoneofthepicklesandtryingtodecideexactlyhowhappyshewas，butshecouldfindnostandardhighenoughforameasure。
ShewastogototheBirdWoman"safterschoolforthelastloadfromthecase。Saturdayshewouldtakethearrowpointsandspecimenstothebank。Thatwouldexhaustherpresentsuppliesandgiveherenoughmoneyaheadtopayforbooks，tuition，andclothesforatleasttwoyears。Shewouldworkearlyandlategatheringnuts。InOctobershewouldsellallthefernsshecouldfind。Shemustcollectspecimensofalltreeleavesbeforetheyfell，gathernestsandcocoonslater，andkeephereyeswideopenforanythingthegradescoulduse。
Shewouldseethesuperintendentthatnightaboutsellingspecimenstothewardbuildings。Shemustbeaheadofanyoneelseifshewantedtofurnishthesethings。Sosheapproachedthebridge。
Thatitwasoccupiedcouldbeseenfromadistance。
Asshecameupshefoundthesmallboyofyesterdayawaitingherwithaconfidentsmile。
"Webroughtyousomething!"heannouncedwithoutgreeting。
"ThisisJimmyandBelle——andwebroughtyouapresent。"
Heofferedaparcelwrappedinbrownpaper。
"Why，howlovelyofyou!"saidElnora。"Isupposedyouhadforgottenmewhenyouranawaysofastyesterday。"
"Naw，Ididn"tforgetyou，"saidtheboy。"Iwouldn"tforgetyou，notever!Why，Iwasista-hurryingtotakethemthingstoJimmyandBelle。Mytheywasglad!"
Elnoraglancedatthechildren。Theysatontheedgeofthebridge，obviouslycladinagarmenteach，verydirtyandunkept，alittleboyandagirlofaboutsevenandnine。
Elnora"sheartbegantoache。
"Say，"saidtheboy。"Ain"tyougoingtolookwhatwehavegaveyou?"
"Ithoughtitwasn"tpolitetolookbeforepeople，"
answeredElnora。"Ofcourse，Iwill，ifyouwouldliketohaveme。"
Elnoraopenedthepackage。Shehadbeenpresentedwithaquarterofastaleloafofbaker"sbread，andabigpieceofancientbologna。
"Butdon"tyouwantthisyourselves?"sheaskedinsurprise。
"Gosh，no!Imeanistno，"saidtheboy。"Wealwayshaveit。Wegotstacksthismorning。Pa"scomeoutofitnow，andhe"ssosorryhegotmore"aneverwecaneat。Haveyouhadanybefore?"
"No，"saidElnora，"Ineverdid!"
Theboy"seyesbrightenedandthegirlmovedrestlessly。
"Wethoughtmaybeyouhadn"t，"saidtheboy。"Firstyoueverhave，youlikeitrealwell；butwhenyoudon"thaveanythingelseforalongtime，yearsan"years，yougitsotired。"HehitchedatthestringwhichheldhistrousersandwatchedElnoraspeculatively。
"Idon"ts"poseyou"dtradewhatyougotinthatboxforistoldbreadandbolognanow，wouldyou?Mebbyyou"dlikeit!AndIknow，Iistknow，whatyougotwouldtastelikeheaventoJimmyandBelle。Theyneverhadnothinglikethat!NotevenBelle，andshe"smostten!
No，sir-ee，theynevertastedthingslikeyougot!"
ItwasinElnora"shearttobethankfulforevenatasteintime，asshekneltonthebridge，openedtheboxanddividedherlunchintothreeequalparts，thesmallerboygettingmostofthemilk。Thenshetoldthemitwasschooltimeandshemustgo。
"Whydon"tyouputyourbreadandbolognainthenicebox?"
askedtheboy。
"Ofcourse，"saidElnora。"Ididn"tthink。"
Whentheboxwasarrangedtothechildren"ssatisfactionallofthemaccompaniedElnoratothecornerwheresheturnedtowardthehighschool。
"Billy，"saidElnora，"Iwouldlikeyoumuchbetterifyouwerecleaner。Surely，youhavewater!Can"tyouchildrengetsomesoapandwashyourselves?Gentlemenareneverdirty。Youwanttobeagentleman，don"tyou?"
"Isbeingcleanallyouhavetodotobeagentleman?"
"No，"saidElnora。"Youmustnotsaybadwords，andyoumustbekindandpolitetoyoursister。"
"MustBellebekindandpolitetome，elsesheain"talady?"
"Yes。"
"ThenBelle"snolady!"saidBillysuccinctly。
Elnoracouldsaynothingmorejustthen，andshebadethemgood-byeandstartedthemhome。
"Thepoorlittlesouls!"shemused。"IthinktheAlmightyputtheminmywaytoshowmerealtrouble。Iwon"tbelikelytospendmuchtimepityingmyselfwhileIcanseethem。"Sheglancedatthelunchbox。"WhatonearthdoIcarrythisfor?Ineverhadanythingthatwassostrictlyornamental!Onesurething!Ican"ttakethisstufftothehighschool。Youneverseemtoknowexactlywhatisgoingtohappentoyouwhileyouarethere。"
Asiftoprovideawayoutofherdifficultyabigdogarosefromalawn，andcametowardthegatewagginghistail。
"Ifthosechildrenatethestuff，itcan"tpossiblykillhim!"
thoughtElnora，sosheofferedthebologna。Thedogaccepteditgraciously，andbeingabeastofpedigreehetrottedaroundtoasideporchandlaidthebolognabeforehismistress。Thewomansnatchedit，screaming:
"Come，quick!SomeoneistryingtopoisonPedro!"
Herdaughtercamerunningfromthehouse。"Goseewhoisonthestreet。Hurry!"criedtheexcitedmother。
EllenBrownleeranandlooked。Elnorawashalfablockaway，andnoonenearer。Ellencalledloudly，andElnorastopped。Ellencamerunningtowardher。
"Didyouseeanyonegiveourdogsomething?"shecriedassheapproached。
Elnorasawnoescape。
"Igaveitapieceofbolognamyself，"shesaid。"Itwasfittoeat。Itwouldn"thurtthedog。"
Ellenstoodandlookedather。"Ofcourse，Ididn"tknowitwasyourdog，"explainedElnora。"IhadsomethingIwantedtothrowtosomedog，andthatonelookedbigenoughtomanageit。"
Ellenhadarrivedatherconclusions。"Passoverthatlunchbox，"shedemanded。
"Iwillnot!"saidElnora。
"ThenIwillhaveyouarrestedfortryingtopoisonourdog，"laughedthegirlasshetookthebox。
"Onechunkofstalebread，onehalfmileofantiquebolognacontributedfordogfeed；theremainsofcake，saladandpreservesinanotherwiseemptylunchbox。Onehamsandwichyesterday。Ithinkit"slovelyyouhavethebox。
Whoateyourlunchto-day?"
"Same，"confessedElnora，"buttherewerethreeofthemthistime。"
"Wait，untilIrunbackandtellmotheraboutthedog，andgetmybooks。"
Elnorawaited。ThatmorningshewalkeddownthehallandintotheauditoriumbesideoneoftheverynicestgirlsinOnabasha，anditwasthefourthday。ButthesurprisecameatnoonwhenElleninsisteduponElnoralunchingattheBrownleehome，andconvulsedherparentsandfamily，andoverwhelmedElnorawithagreatlymagnified，butmoderatelyaccuratehistoryofherlunchbox。
"Gee!butit"sabox，daddy!"criedthelaughinggirl。
"It"scarvedleatherandfastenswithastrapthathashernameonit。Insidearetraysforthingsallcomplete，anditbearsevidenceofhavingencloseddeliciousfood，butElnoranevergetsany。She"scarriedittwodaysnow，andbothtimesithasbeenemptybeforeshereachedschool。
Isn"tthatkilling?"
"Itis，Ellen，inmorewaysthanone。Nogirlisgoingtoeatbreakfastatsixo"clock，walkthreemiles，anddogoodworkwithoutherlunch。Youcan"ttellmeanythingaboutthatbox。IsolditlastMondaynighttoWesleySinton，oneofmygoodcountrycustomers。Hetoldmeitwasapresentforagirlwhowasworthyofit，andIseehewasright。"
"He"ssogoodtome，"saidElnora。"SometimesIlookathimandwonderifaneighbourcanbesokindtoone，whatarealfatherwouldbelike。Ienvyagirlwithafatherunspeakably。"
"Youhavecause，"saidEllenBrownlee。"Afatheristheverydearestpersoninthewholeroundworld，exceptamother，whoisjustadear。"Thegirl，startingtopaytributetoherfather，sawthatshemustincludehermother，andsaidthethingbeforesherememberedwhatMrs。Sintonhadtoldthegirlsinthestore。Shestoppedindismay。
Elnora"sfacepaledatrifle，butshesmiledbravely。
"ThenI"mfortunateinhavingamother，"shesaid。
Mr。Brownleelingeredatthetableafterthegirlshadexcusedthemselvesandreturnedtoschool。
"There"sagirlEllencan"tseetoomuchof，inmyopinion，"hesaid。"Sheiseveryinchalady，andnotafoolishnotionoractionabouther。Ican"tunderstandjustwhatcombinationofcircumstancesproducedherinthisday。"
"Ithasbeenanunusualcaseofrepression，foronething。
Shewaitsonhereldersandthinksbeforeshespeaks，"
saidMrs。Brownlee。
"She"smightypretty。Shelookssosoundandwholesome，andshe"sneatlydressed。"
"Ellensaysshewasafrightthefirsttwodays。Longbrowncalicodressalmosttouchingthefloor，andbig，lumberingshoes。ThoseSintonpeopleboughtherclothes。
Ellenwasinthestore，andthewomanstoppedhercrowdandaskedthemabouttheirdresses。Shesaidthegirlwasnotpoor，buthermotherwasselfishanddidn"tcareforher。ButElnorashowedabankbookthenextday，anddeclaredthatshepaidforthethingsherself，sotheSintonpeoplemustjusthaveselectedthem。
There"ssomethingpeculiaraboutit，butnothingwrongIamsure。I"llencourageEllentoaskheragain。"
"Ishouldsayso，especiallyifsheisgoingtokeepongivingawayherlunch。"
"ShelunchedwiththeBirdWomanonedaythisweek。"
"Shedid!"
"Yes，shelivesoutbytheLimberlost。YouknowtheBirdWomanworksthereagreatdeal，andprobablyknowsherthatway。Ithinkthegirlgathersspecimensforher。Ellensayssheknowsmorethantheteachersaboutanynaturequestionthatcomesup，andsheisgoingtoleadalloftheminmathematics，andmakethemworkinanybranch。"
WhenElnoraenteredthecoatroomafterhavinghadluncheonwithEllenBrownleetherewassuchadifferenceintheatmospherethatshecouldfeelit。
"IamalmostsorryIhavetheseclothes，"shesaidtoEllen。
"Inthenameofsense，why?"criedtheastonishedgirl。
"Everyoneissonicetomeinthem，itsetsmetowonderingifintimeIcouldhavemadethembeequallyfriendlyintheothers。"
Ellenlookedatherintrospectively。"Ibelieveyoucould，"sheannouncedatlast。"Butitwouldhavetakentimeandheartache，andyourmindwouldhavebeenlessfreetoworkonyourstudies。Nooneishappywithoutfriends，andIjustsimplycan"tstudywhenIamunhappy。"
ThatnighttheBirdWomanmadethelasttriptotheswamp。
Everyspecimenshepossiblycouldusehadbeenpurchasedatafairprice，andthreeadditionshadbeenmadetothebankbook，carryingthetotalalittlepasttwohundreddollars。
ThereremainedtheIndianrelicstosellonSaturday，andElnorahadsecuredtheordertofurnishmaterialfornatureworkforthegrades。Lifesuddenlygrewveryfull。
Therewasthemostexcitinglyinterestingworkforeveryhour，andthatworkwastopayhighschoolexpensesandstartthecollegefund。Therewasonelittleriftinherjoy。
Allofitwouldhavebeensomuchbetterifshecouldhavetoldhermother，andgiventhemoneyintoherkeeping；
butthestruggletogetastarthadbeensoterrible，Elnorawasafraidtotaketherisk。Whenshereachedhome，sheonlytoldhermotherthatthelastofthethingshadbeensoldthatevening。
"Ithink，"saidMrs。Comstock，"thatwewillaskWesleytomovethatboxoverherebackofthegardenforyou。
Thereyouareapttogettolledfartherintotheswampthanyouintendtogo，andyoumightmireorsomething。
Thereoughttobejustthesamethingsinourwoods，andalongourswampyplaces，asthereareintheLimberlost。
Can"tyouhuntyourstuffhere?"
"Icantry，"saidElnora。"Idon"tknowwhatIcanfinduntilIdo。Ourwoodsareundisturbed，andthereisapossibilitytheymightbeevenbetterhuntingthantheswamp。ButIwouldn"thaveFreckles"scasemovedfortheworld。Hemightcomebacksomeday，andnotlikeit。
I"vetriedtokeephisroomthebestIcould，andtakingouttheboxwouldmakeabigholeinonesideofit。Storeboxesdon"tcostmuch。IwillhaveUncleWesleybuymeone，andsetitupwhereverhuntinglooksthebest，earlyinthespring。Iwouldfeelsaferathome。"
"Shallwedotheworkorhavesupperfirst?"
"Let"sdothework，"saidElnora。"Ican"tsaythatI"mhungrynow。Doesn"tseemasifIevercouldbehungryagainwithsuchalunch。IamquitesurenoonecarriedmoredeliciousthingstoeatthanI。"
Mrs。Comstockwaspleased。"Iputinaprettygoodhunkofcake。Didyoudivideitwithanyone?"
"Why，yes，Idid，"admittedElnora。
"Who?"
Thiswasbecominguncomfortable。"Iatethebiggestpiecemyself，"saidElnora，"andgavetheresttoacoupleofboysnamedJimmyandBillyandagirlnamedBelle。
Theysaiditwastheverybestcaketheyevertastedinalltheirlives。"
Mrs。Comstocksatstraight。"Iusedtobeamasterhandatspicecake，"sheboasted。"ButI"malittleoutofpractice。Imustgettoworkagain。Withtheveryweedsgrowinghigherthanourheads，weshouldraiseplentyofgoodstufftoeatonthisland，ifwecan"taffordanythingelsebuttaxes。"
Elnoralaughedandhurriedupstairstochangeherdress。
MargaretSintoncamethatnightbringingabeautifulblueoneinitsplace，andcarriedawaytheothertolaunder。
"Doyoumeantosaythosedressesaretobewashedeverytwodays?"questionedMrs。Comstock。
"Theyhavetobe，tolookfresh，"repliedMargaret。
"Wewantourgirlsweetasarose。"
"Well，ofallthings!"criedMrs。Comstock。"Everytwodays!
Anygirlwhocan"tkeepadresscleanlongerthanthatisadirtygirl。You"llwearthegoodsoutandfadethecolourswithsomuchwashing。"
"We"llhaveacleangirl，anyway。"
"Well，ifyoulikethejobyoucanhaveit，"saidMrs。Comstock。
"Idon"tmindthewashing，butI"msoinconvenientwithaniron。"
Elnorasatlatethatnightworkingoverherlessons。
Thenextmorningsheputonherbluedressandribbonandinthoseshewasapicture。Mrs。Comstockcaughtherbreathwithaqueerstirringaroundherheart，andlookedtwicetobesureofwhatshesaw。AsElnoragatheredherbookshermothersilentlygaveherthelunchbox。
"Feelsheavy，"saidElnoragaily。"Andsmelly!LikeasnotI"llbecalledupontodivideagain。"
"Thenyoudivide!"saidMrs。Comstock。"Eatingistheonethingwedon"thavetoeconomizeon，Elnora。
SpiteofallIcandofoodgoestowasteinthissoileveryday。Ifyoucangivesomeofthosecitychildrenatasteoftherealthing，why，don"tbeselfish。"
Elnorawentdowntheroadthinkingofthecitychildrenwithwhomsheprobablywoulddivide。Ofcourse，thebridgewouldbeoccupiedagain。Soshestoppedandopenedthebox。
"Idon"twanttobeselfish，"murmuredElnora，"butitreallyseemsasifIcan"tgiveawaythislunch。
Ifmotherdidnotputloveintoit，she"ssubstitutedsomethingthat"slikelytofoolme。"
Shealmostfeltherstepslaggingassheapproachedthebridge。Averyhungrydoghadbeenaddedtothetrioofchildren。Elnoralovedalldogs，andasusual，thisonecametoherinfriendliness。Thechildrensaid"Goodmorning!"
withalacrity，andanotherpaperparcellayconspicuous。
"Howareyouthismorning?"inquiredElnora。
"Allright!"criedthethree，whilethedogsniffedravenouslyatthelunchbox，andbeataperfecttattoowithhistail。
"Howdidyoulikethebologna?"questionedBillyeagerly。
"Oneofthegirlstookmetolunchatherhomeyesterday，"
answeredElnora。
DawnbrokebeautifullyoverBilly"sstreakedface。
HecaughtthepackageandthrustittowardElnora。
"Thenmaybeyou"dliketotrythebolognato-day!"
Thedogleapedingladapprehensionofsomething，andBellescrambledtoherfeetandtookastepforward。
ThelookoffamishedgreedinhereyeswasmorethanElnoracouldendure。Itwasnotthatshecaredforthefoodsomuch。Goodthingstoeathadbeeninabundanceallherlife。Shewantedwiththislunchtotrytoabsorbwhatshefeltmustbeanexpressionofsomesortfromhermother，andifitwerenotamanifestationoflove，shedidnotknowwhattothinkit。Butitwashermotherwhohadsaid"begenerous。"Shekneltonthebridge。
"Keepbackthedog!"shewarnedtheelderboy。
SheopenedtheboxanddividedthemilkbetweenBillyandthegirl。Shegaveeachapieceofcakeleavingoneandasandwich。Billypressedforwardeagerly，bitterdisappointmentonhisface，andtheelderboyforgothischarge。
"Aw，Ithoughtthey"dbemeat!"lamentedBilly。
Elnoracouldnotendurethat。
"Thereis!"shesaidgladly。"Thereisalittlepigeonbird。
Iwantateenypieceofthebreast，forasortofkeepsake，justonebite，andyoucanhavetherestamongyou"。
Elnoradrewtheknifefromitsholderandcutoffthewishbone。Thensheheldthebirdtowardthegirl。
"Youcandivideit，"shesaid。Thedogmadeaboundandseizingthesquabsprangfromthebridgeandranforlife。Thegirlandboyhurriedafterhim。WithawfuleyesBillystaredandsworetempestuously。Elnoracaughthimandclappedherhandoverthelittlemouth。
Adeliverywagoncametearingdownthestreet，thehorserunningfullspeed，passedthefleeingdogwiththegirlandboyinpursuit，andstoppedatthebridge。Highschoolgirlsbegantorollfromallsidesofit。
"Arescue!Arescue!"theyshouted。
ItwasEllenBrownleeandhercrowd，andeverygirlofthemcarriedabigparcel。Theytookinthesceneastheyapproached。Thefleeingdogwithsomethinginitsmouth，thehalf-nakedgirlandboychasingittoldthestory。Thosegirlsscreamedwithlaughterastheywatchedthepursuit。
"Thankgoodness，Isavedthewishbone!"saidElnora。
"Asusual，Icanprovethattherewasabird。"
Sheturnedtowardthebox。Billyhadimprovedthetime。