第9章
He"ssostrong，heisn"tafraidofanything，andhe"sperfectlysplendidtolocatecocoons!He"sfoundhalfofthese。Comeon，Pete，it"sgettingdarknow，andwemustgo。"
Theystartedtowardthetrail，Petecarryingthecocoons。
Heleftthematthecase，whileElnoraandWesleywentontothecarriagetogether。
"ElnoraComstock，whatdoesthismean?"demandedhermother。
"It"sallright，oneoftheneighbourswaswithher，andshegotseveraldollars"worthofstuff，"interposedWesley。
"Yououghterseenmypa，"shoutedBilly。"Hewasistallwhitedout，andhelaidasstillasanything。
Theyputhimawaydeepintheground。"
"Billy!"breathedMargaretinaprolongedgroan。
"JimmyandBellearegoingtobetogetherinaniceplace。
Theyarecomingtoseeme，andSnapisrightdownherebythewheel。Here，Snap!My，buthe"llbetickledtogetsomethingtoeat!He"s"mosttwistedasme。
Theygetnewclothes，andalltheywanttoeat，too，butthey"llmissme。Theycouldn"thavegotalongwithoutme。Itookcareofthem。Ihadalotofthingsgivetome"causeIwasthelittlest，andIalwaysdividedwiththem。Buttheywon"tneedmenow。"
WhensheleftthecarriageMrs。ComstockgravelyshookhandswithBilly。"Remember，"shesaidtohim，"Iloveboys，andIlovedogs。Wheneveryoudon"thaveagoodtimeupthere，takeyourdogandcomerightdownandbemylittleboy。Wewilljusthaveloadsoffun。
YoushouldhearthewhistlesIcanmake。Ifyouaren"ttreatedrightyoucomestraighttome。"
Billywaggedhisheadsagely。"YouistbetIwill!"
hesaid。
"Mother，howcouldyou?"askedElnoraastheywalkedupthepath。
"HowcouldI，missy?Youbetteraskhowcouldn"tI?
Ijustcouldn"t!Notforenoughtopay，myroadtax!
Notforenoughtopaytheroadtax，andthedredgetax，too!"
"AuntMargaretalwayshasbeenlovelytome，andI
don"tthinkit"sfairtoworryher。"
"IchoosetobelovelytoBilly，andlethersweatoutherownworriesjustasshehasme，thesesixteenyears。
Thereisnothinginallthisworldsogoodforpeopleastakingadoseoftheirownmedicine。ThedifferenceisthatIamhonest。IjustsayinplainEnglish，`iftheydon"ttreatyouright，cometome。"Theyhaveonlysaiditinactionsandinferences。IwanttoteachMagSintonhowherowndosestaste，butshebeginstosputterbeforeIfairlygetthespoontoherlips。Justyouwait!"
"WhenIthinkwhatIoweher——"beganElnora。
"Well，thankgoodness，Idon"toweheranything，andsoI"mperfectlyfreetodowhatIchoose。Comeon，andhelpmegetsupper。I"mhungryasBilly!"
MargaretSintonrockedslowlybackandforthinherchair。
OnherbreastlayBilly"sredhead，onehandclutchedherdressfrontwithspasmodicgrip，evenafterhewasunconscious。
"Youmustn"tbeginthat，Margaret，"saidSinton。
"He"stooheavy。Andit"sbadforhim。He"sbetterofftoliedownandgotosleepalone。"
"He"sverylight，Wesley。Hejumpsandquiversso。
Hehastobestrongerthanheisnow，beforehewillsleepsoundly。"
CHAPTERIX
WHEREINELNORADISCOVERSAVIOLIN，ANDBILLYDISCIPLINESMARGARET
Elnoramissedthelittlefigureatthebridgethefollowingmorning。Sheslowlywalkedupthestreetandturnedinatthewideentrancetotheschoolgrounds。Shescarcelycouldcomprehendthatonlyaweekagoshehadgonetherefriendless，alone，andsosickatheartthatshewasphysicallyill。To-dayshehaddecentclothing，books，friends，andhermindwasateasetoworkonherstudies。
Assheapproachedhomethatnightthegirlpausedinamazement。Hermotherhadcompany，andshewaslaughing。
Elnoraenteredthekitchensoftlyandpeepedintothesitting-room。Mrs。Comstocksatinherchairholdingabookandeveryfewsecondsasoftchucklebrokeintoareallaugh。MarkTwainwasdoinghiswork；whileMrs。Comstockwasnotlackinginasenseofhumour。
Elnoraenteredtheroombeforehermothersawher。
Mrs。Comstocklookedupwithflushedface。
"Wheredidyougetthis?"shedemanded。
"Iboughtit，"saidElnora。
"Boughtit!Withallthetaxesdue!"
"IpaidforitoutofmyIndianmoney，mother，"saidElnora。
"Icouldn"tbeartospendsomuchonmyselfandnothingatallonyou。IwasafraidtobuythedressIshouldhavelikedto，andIthoughtthebookwouldbecompany，whileIwasgone。Ihaven"treadit，butIdohopeit"sgood。"
"Good!It"sthebiggestpieceoffoolishnessIhavereadinallmylife。I"velaughedallday，eversinceI
foundit。Ihadanotiontogooutandreadsomeofittothecowsandseeiftheywouldn"tlaugh。"
"Ifitmadeyoulaugh，it"sawisebook，"saidElnora。
"Wise!"criedMrs。Comstock。"Youcanstakeyourlifeit"sawisebook。Ittakesthesmartestmanthereistodothiskindoffooling，"andshebeganlaughingagain。
Elnora，highlysatisfiedwithherpurchase，wenttoherroomandputonherworkingclothes。Thereaftershemadeapointofbringingabookthatshethoughtwouldinteresthermother，fromthelibraryeveryweek，andleavingitonthesitting-roomtable。Eachnightshecarriedhomeatleasttwoschoolbooksandstudieduntilshehadmasteredthepointsofherlessons。Shedidhershareoftheworkfaithfully，andeveryavailableminuteshewasinthefieldssearchingforcocoons，forthemothspromisedtobecomeherlargestsourceofincome。
Shegatheredbasketsofnests，flowers，mosses，insects，andallsortsofnaturalhistoryspecimensandsoldthemtothegradeteachers。Atfirstshetriedtotelltheseinstructorswhattoteachtheirpupilsaboutthespecimens；
butrecognizinghowmuchmoresheknewthanthey，oneafteranotherbeggedhertostudyathome，andusehersparehoursinschooltoexhibitandexplainnaturesubjectstotheirpupils。Elnoralovedthework，andsheneededthemoney，foreveryfewdayssomematterofexpensearosethatshehadnotexpected。
Fromthefirstweekshehadbeenreceivedandinvitedwiththecrowdofgirlsinherclass，anditwastheircustominpassingthroughthebusinesspartofthecitytostopattheconfectioners"andtaketurnsintreatingtoexpensivecandies，icecreamsodas，hotchocolate，orwhatevertheyfancied。WhenfirstElnorawasaskedsheacceptedwithoutunderstanding。Thesecondtimeshewentbecausesheseldomhadtastedthesethings，andtheyweresodeliciousshecouldnotresist。Afterthatshewentbecausesheknewallaboutit，andhaddecidedtogo。
Shehadspenthalfanhouronthelogbesidethetrailindeepthoughtandhadarrivedatherconclusions。
Sheworkedharderthanusualforthenextweek，butsheseemedtothriveonwork。ItwasOctoberandtheredleaveswerefallingwhenherfirsttimecametotreat。
AsthecrowdflockeddownthebroadwalkthatnightElnoracalled，"Girls，it"smytreatto-night!Comeon!"
Sheledthewaythroughthecitytothegrocerytheypatronizedwhentheyhadasmallspread，andenteringcameoutwithabasket，whichshecarriedtothebridgeonherhomeroad。Thereshearrangedthegirlsintworowsonthecementabutmentsandopeningherbasketshegravelyofferedeachgirlanexquisitelittlebasketofbark，linedwithredleaves，inoneendofwhichnestledajuicybigredappleandintheotheraspicydoughnutnotanhourfromMargaretSinton"sfryingbasket。
Anothertimesheofferedbigballsofpoppedcornstucktogetherwithmaplesugar，andliberallysprinkledwithbeechnutkernels。Againitwashickory-nutkernelsglazedwithsugar，anothertimemaplecandy，andonceabasketofwarmpumpkinpies。Shenevermadeanyapology，orofferedanyexcuse。Shesimplygavewhatshecouldafford，andthechangewasaswelcometothosecitygirlsaccustomedtosodasandFrenchcandy，aswerethesesamethingstoElnorasurfeitedonpopcornandpie。
Inherroomwasalittleslipcontainingarecordofthenumberofweeksintheschoolyear，thetimesitwouldbeherturntotreatandthedatesonwhichsuchoccasionswouldfall，withanumberofsuggestionsbesideeach。
Oncethegirlsalmostfoughtoverabasketlinedwithyellowleaves，andfilledwithfat，veryriperedhaws。
InlateOctobertherewasariotoveronewhichwaslinedwithredleavesandcontainedbigfragrantpawpawsfrost-bittentoaperfectdegree。Thenhazelnutswereripe，andoncetheyserved。OnedayElnoraatherwits"
end，explainedtohermotherthatthegirlshadgivenherthingsandshewantedtotreatthem。Mrs。Comstock，withcharacteristicstubbornness，hadsaidshewouldleaveabasketatthegroceryforher，butfirmlydeclinedtosaywhatwouldbeinit。AlldayElnorastruggledtokeephermindonherbooks。Forhoursshewaveredintenseuncertainty。Whatwouldhermotherdo?Shouldshetakethegirlstotheconfectioner"sthatnightorriskthebasket?Mrs。Comstockcouldmakedeliciousthingstoeat，butwouldshe?
AstheyleftthebuildingElnoramadeafinalrapidmentalcalculation。Shecouldnotseeherwaycleartoadecenttreatfortenpeopleforlessthantwodollarsandifthebasketprovedtobenice，thenthemoneywouldbewasted。Shedecidedtoriskit。Astheywenttothebridgethegirlswerebettingonwhatthetreatwouldbe，andcrowdingnearElnoralikespoiledsmallchildren。
Elnorasetdownthebasket。
"Girls，"shesaid，"Idon"tknowwhatthisismyself，soallofusaregoingtobesurprised。Heregoes!"
Sheliftedthecoverandperfumesfromthelandofspicesrolledup。Inoneendofthebasketlaytenenormoussugarcakesthetopsofwhichhadbeenliberallydottedwithcirclescutfromstickcandy。Thecandyhadmeltedinbakingandmadesmalltransparentwellsofwaxysweetnessandinthecentreofeachcakewasafatturtlemadefromaraisinwithclovesforheadandfeet。Theremainderofthebasketwasfilledwithbigspicedpearsthatcouldbeheldbytheirstemswhiletheywereeaten。Thegirlsshriekedandattackedthecookies，andofallthetreatsElnoraofferedperhapsnonewasquitesolongrememberedasthat。
WhenElnoratookherbasket，placedherbooksinit，andstartedhome，allthegirlswentwithherasfarasthefencewhereshecrossedthefieldtotheswamp。Atpartingtheykissedhergood-bye。Elnorawasahappygirlasshehurriedhometothankhermother。Shewashappyoverherbooksthatnight，andhappyallthewaytoschoolthefollowingmorning。
Whenthemusicswelledfromtheorchestraherheartalmostbrokewiththrobbingjoy。Formusicalwayshadaffectedherstrangely，andsinceshehadbeencomfortableenoughinhersurroundingstonoticethings，shehadlistenedtoeverynotetofindwhatitwasthatliterallyhurtherheart，andatlastsheknew。Itwasthetalkingoftheviolins。Theywerehumanvoices，andtheyspokealanguageElnoraunderstood。Itseemedtoherthatshemustclimbuponthestage，taketheinstrumentsfromthefingersoftheplayersandmakethemspeakwhatwasinherheart。
Thatnightshesaidtohermother，"Iamperfectlycrazyforaviolin。IamsureIcouldplayone，sureasIlive。
Didanyone——"Elnoranevercompletedthatsentence。
"Hush!"thunderedMrs。Comstock。"Bequiet!
Nevermentionthosethingsbeforemeagain——neveraslongasyoulive!Iloathethem!Theyareasnareoftheverydevilhimself!Theyweremadetoluremenandwomenfromtheirhomesandtheirhonour。IfeverIseeyouwithoneinyourfingersIwillsmashitinpieces。"
NaturallyElnorahushed，butshethoughtofnothingelseaftershehadfinishedherlessons。Atlasttherecameadaywhenforsomereasontheleaderoftheorchestralefthisviolinonthegrandpiano。ThatmorningElnoramadeherfirstmistakeinalgebra。Atnoon，assoonasthebuildingwasempty，sheslippedintotheauditorium，foundthesidedoorwhichledtothestage，andgoingthroughthemusicians"entranceshetooktheviolin。Shecarrieditbackintothelittlesideroomwheretheorchestraassembled，closedallthedoors，openedthecaseandliftedouttheinstrument。
Shelaiditonherbreast，droppedherchinonitanddrewthebowsoftlyacrossthestrings。Oneafteranothershetestedtheopennotes。Graduallyherstrokeceasedtotrembleandshedrewthebowfirmly。Thenherfingersbegantofallandsoftly，slowlyshesearchedupanddownthosestringsforsoundssheknew。Standinginthemiddleofthefloor，shetriedoverandover。Itseemedscarcelyaminutebeforethehallwasfilledwiththesoundofhurryingfeet，andshewasforcedtoputawaytheviolinandgotoherclasses。Thenextdaysheprayedthattheviolinwouldbeleftagain，butherpetitionwasnotanswered。
ThatnightwhenshereturnedfromtheschoolshemadeanexcusetogodowntoseeBilly。Hewasengagedinhullingwalnutsbydrivingthemthroughholesinaboard。HishandswereprotectedbyapairofMargaret"soldgloves，buthehadspeckledhisfacegenerously。Heappearedwell，andgreetedElnorahilariously。
"Mean"thesquirrelsarelayingupourwinterstores，"
heshouted。"Costhecoldiscoming，an"thesnowan"
ifwehaveanynutswehavetofix"emnow。ButI"mahead，cosUncleWesleymademethisboard，andIcanhullabigpilewhiletheoldsquirreldoesonlyistonewithhisteeth。"
Elnorapickedhimupandkissedhim。"Billy，areyouhappy?"sheasked。
"Yes，andso"sSnap，"answeredBilly。"Yououghttoseehimmakethedirtflywhenhegetsafterachipmunk。
Ibetyouhecoulddiguppa，ifanybodywantedhimto。"
"Billy!"gaspedMargaretasshecameouttothem。
"Well，meandSnapdon"twanthimup，andIbetyouJimmyandBelledon"t，either。Iain"tbeentwistyinsideoncesinceIbeenhere，andIdon"twanttogoaway，andSnapdon"t，either。Hetoldmeso。"
"Billy!Thatisnottrue。Dogscan"ttalk，"
cautionedMargaret。
"Thenwhatmakesyouopenthedoorwhenheasksyouto?"
demandedBilly。
"Scratchingandwhiningisn"ttalking。"
"Anyway，it"sthebestSnapcantalk，andyougetupanddothingshewantsdone。Chipmunkscantalktoo。
YououghttohearthemdamnthingshollerwhenSnapgetsthem!"
"Billy!WhenyouwantacookyforsupperandIdon"tgiveittoyouitisbecauseyousaidawrongword。"
"Well，for——"Billyclappedhishandoverhismouthandstainedhisfaceinswipes。"Well，for——anything!
DidIgoan"forgetagain!Thecookieswillgetallhard，won"tthey?IbetyoutendollarsIdon"tsaythatanymore。"
HeespiedWesleyandrantoshowhimawalnuttoobigtogothroughtheholes，andElnoraandMargaretenteredthehouse。
TheytalkedofmanythingsforatimeandthenElnorasaidsuddenly:"AuntMargaret，Ilikemusic。"
"I"venoticedthatinyouallyourlife，"answeredMargaret。
"Ifdogscan"ttalk，Icanmakeaviolintalk，"announcedElnora，andtheninamazementwatchedthefaceofMargaretSintongrowpale。
"Aviolin!"shewavered。"Wheredidyougetaviolin?"
"Theyfairlyseemedtospeaktomeintheorchestra。
Onedaytheconductorlefthisintheauditorium，andI
tookit，andAuntMargaret，Icanmakeitdothewindintheswamp，thebirds，andtheanimals。IcanmakeanysoundIeverheardonit。IfIhadachancetopractisealittle，Icouldmakeitdotheorchestramusic，too。
Idon"tknowhowIknow，butIdo。"
"Did——didyouevermentionittoyourmother?"
falteredMargaret。
"Yes，andsheseemsprejudicedagainstthem。Butoh，AuntMargaret，Ineverfeltsoaboutanything，notevengoingtoschool。IjustfeelasifI"ddieifIdidn"thaveone。Icouldkeepitatschool，andpractiseatnoonawholehour。Soonthey"daskmetoplayintheorchestra。
Icouldkeepitinthecaseandpractiseinthewoodsinsummer。You"dletmeplayoverhereSunday。
Oh，AuntMargaret，whatdoesonecost?Woulditbewickedformetotakeofmymoney，andbuyaverycheapone?
Icouldplayontheleastexpensiveonemade。"
That"swhyIcan!Whereisit!Isitinourhouse?
Isitinmother"sroom?"
"Elnora!"pantedMargaret。"Yourmotherwillkillme!
Shealwayshatedit。"
"Motherdearlylovesmusic，"saidElnora。
"Notwhenittookthemanshelovedawayfromhertomakeit!"
"Whereismyfather"sviolin?"
"Elnora!"
"I"veneverseenapictureofmyfather。I"veneverheardhisnamementioned。I"veneverhadascrapthatbelongedtohim。Washemyfather，oramIacharitychildlikeBilly，andsoshehatesme?"
"Shehasgoodpicturesofhim。Seemsshejustcan"tbeartohearhimtalkedabout。Ofcourse，hewasyourfather。
Theylivedrighttherewhenyouwereborn。Shedoesn"tdislikeyou；shemerelytriestomakeherselfthinkshedoes。There"snosenseintheworldinyounothavinghisviolin。I"veagreatnotion——"
"Hasmothergotit?"
"No。I"veneverheardhermentionit。Itwasnotathomewhenhe——whenhedied。"
"Doyouknowwhereitis?"
"Yes。I"mtheonlypersononearthwhodoes，excepttheonewhohasit。"
"Whoisthat?"
"Ican"ttellyou，butIwillseeiftheyhaveityet，andgetitifIcan。Butifyourmotherfindsitoutshewillneverforgiveme。"
"Ican"thelpit，"saidElnora。Iwantthatviolin。"
"I"llgoto-morrow，andseeifithasbeendestroyed。"
"Destroyed!Oh，AuntMargaret!Wouldanyonedare?"
"Ihardlythinkso。Itwasagoodinstrument。Heplayeditlikeamaster。"
"Tellme!"breathedElnora。
"Hishairwasredandcurledmorethanyours，andhiseyeswereblue。Hewastall，slim，andtheveryimpofmischief。Hejokedandteasedalldayuntilhepickedupthatviolin。Thenhisheadbentoverit，andhiseyesgotbigandearnest。Heseemedtolistenasifhefirstheardthenotes，andthencopiedthem。Sometimeshedrewthebowtrembly，likehewasn"tsureitwasright，andhemighthavetotryagain。Hecouldalmostdriveyoucrazywhenhewantedto，andnomanthateverlivedcouldmakeyoudanceashecould。Hemadeitallupashewent。
Heseemedtolistenforhisdancingmusic，too。Itappearedtocometohim；he"dbegintoplayandyouhadtokeeptime。
Youcouldn"tbestill；helovedtosweepacrowdaroundwiththatbowofhis。Ithinkitwasthethingyoucallinspiration。
Icanseehimnow，hishandsomeheadbent，hischeeksred，hiseyessnapping，andthatbowgoingacrossthestrings，anddrivinguslikesheep。Healwayskepthisbodyswinging，andhelovedtoplay。Heoftenslightedhisworkshamefully，andsometimesheralittle；thatiswhyshehatedit——Elnora，whatareyoumakingmedo?"
ThetearswererollingdownElnora"scheeks。"Oh，AuntMargaret，"shesobbed。"Whyhaven"tyoutoldmeabouthimsooner?Ifeelasifyouhadgivenmyfathertomeliving，sothatIcouldtouchhim。Icanseehim，too!
Whydidn"tyouevertellmebefore?Goon!Goon!"
"Ican"t，Elnora!I"mscaredsilly。Inevermeanttosayanything。IfIhadn"tpromisedhernottotalkofhimtoyoushewouldn"thaveletyoucomehere。
Shemademeswearit。"
"Butwhy?Why?Washeashame?Washedisgraced?"
"Maybeitwasthatunjustfeelingthattookpossessionofherwhenshecouldn"thelphimfromtheswamp。Shehadtoblamesomeone，orgocrazy，soshetookitoutonyou。
Attimes，thosefirsttenyears，ifIhadtalkedtoyou，andyouhadrepeatedanythingtoher，shemighthavestruckyoutoohard。Shewasnotmasterofherself。
Youmustbepatientwithher，Elnora。Godonlyknowswhatshehasgonethrough，butIthinksheisalittlebetter，lately。"
"SodoI，"saidElnora。"Sheseemsmoreinterestedinmyclothes，andshefixesmesuchdeliciouslunchesthatthegirlsbringfinecandiesandcakeandbegtotrade。Igavehalfmylunchforaboxofcandyoneday，broughtithometoher，andtoldher。Since，shehaswantedmetocarryamarketbasketandtreatthecrowdeveryday，shewassopleased。Lifehasbeentoomonotonousforher。
Ithinksheenjoyseventhelittlechangemadebymygoingandcoming。ShesitsuphalfthenighttoreadthelibrarybooksIbring，butsheissostubbornshewon"tevenadmitthatshetouchesthem。Tellmemoreaboutmyfather。"
"WaituntilIseeifIcanfindtheviolin。"
SoElnorawenthomeinsuspense，andthatnightsheaddedtoherprayers:"DearLord，bemercifultomyfather，andoh，dohelpAuntMargarettogethisviolin。"
WesleyandBillycameintosuppertiredandhungry。
Billyateheartily，buthiseyesoftenrestedonaplateoftemptingcookies，andwhenWesleyofferedthemtotheboyhereachedforone。Margaretwascompelledtoexplainthatcookieswereforbiddenthatnight。
"What!"saidWesley。"Wrongwordsbeencomingagain。
OhBilly，Idowishyoucouldremember!Ican"tsitandeatcookiesbeforealittleboywhohasnone。
I"llhavetoputmineback，too。"Billy"sfacetwistedindespair。
"Awgoon!"hesaidgruffly，buthischinwasjumping，forWesleywashisidol。
"Can"tdoit，"saidWesley。"Itwouldchokeme。"
BillyturnedtoMargaret。"Youmakehim，"heappealed。
"Hecan"t，Billy，"saidMargaret。"Iknowhowhefeels。
Yousee，Ican"tmyself。"
ThenBillyslidfromhischair，rantothecouch，buriedhisfaceinthepillowandcriedheart-brokenly。Wesleyhurriedtothebarn，andMargarettothekitchen。WhenthedisheswerewashedBillyslippedfromthebackdoor。
Wesleypilinghayintothemangersheardasoundbehindhimandinquired，"Thatyou，Billy?"
"Yes，"answeredBilly，"andit"sallsodarkyoucan"tseemenow，isn"tit?"
"Well，mightynear，"answeredWesley。
"Thenyoustoopdownandopenyourmouth。"
Sintonhadsharedbitesofappleandnutsforweeks，forBillyhadnotlearnedhowtoeatanythingwithoutdividingwithJimmyandBelle。Sincehehadbeenseparatedfromthem，hesharedwithWesleyandMargaret。Sohebentovertheboyandreceivedaninstalmentofcookythatalmostchokedhim。
"Nowyoucaneatit!"shoutedBillyindelight。
"It"salldark!Ican"tseewhatyou"redoingatall!"
Wesleypickedupthesmallfigureandsettheboyonthebackofahorsetobringhisfacelevelsothattheycouldtalkasmen。HenevertoweredfromhisheightaboveBilly，butalwaysliftedthelittlesoulwhenimportantmattersweretobediscussed。
"Nowwhatadandyscheme，"hecommented。"DidyouandAuntMargaretfixitup?"
"No。Sheain"thadhersyet。ButIgotoneforher。
Istassoonasyoueatyours，Iamgoingtotakehers，andfeedherfirsttimeIfindherinthedark。"
"ButBilly，wheredidyougetthecookies?YouknowAuntMargaretsaidyouwerenottohaveany。"
"Iisttookthem，"saidBilly，"Ididn"ttakethemforme。
Iisttookthemforyouandher。"
Wesleythoughtfast。Inthewarmdarknessofthebarnthehorsescrunchedtheircorn，aratgnawedatacornerofthegranary，andamongtheraftersthewhitepigeoncooedasoftsleepynotetohisduskymate。
"Did——did——Isteal?"waveredBilly。
Wesley"sbighandscloseduntilhealmosthurttheboy。
"No!"hesaidvehemently。"Thatistoobigaword。
Youmadeamistake。Youweretryingtobeafinelittleman，butyouwentatitthewrongway。Youonlymadeamistake。Allofusdothat，Billy。Theworldgrowsthatway。Whenwemakemistakeswecanseethem；
thatteachesustobemorecarefulthenexttime，andsowelearn。"
"Howwouldn"titbeamistake?"
"IfyouhadtoldAuntMargaretwhatyouwantedtodo，andaskedherforthecookiesshewouldhavegiventhemtoyou。"
"ButIwas"fraidshewouldn"t，andyouisthadtohaveit。"
"Notifitwaswrongformetohaveit，Billy。Idon"twantitthatmuch。"
"MustItakeitback?"
"Youthinkhard，anddecideyourself。"
"Liftmedown，"saidBilly，afterasilence，"Igottoputthisinthejar，andtellher。"
Wesleysettheboyonthefloor，butashedidsohepausedonesecondandstrainedhimclosetohisbreast。
Margaretsatinherchairsewing；Billyslippedinandcreptbesideher。Thelittlefacewaslinedwithtragedy。
"WhyBilly，whateveristhematter?"shecriedasshedroppedhersewingandheldoutherarms。Billystoodback。
Hegrippedhislittlefiststightandsquaredhisshoulders。
"Igottobeshutupinthecloset，"hesaid。
"OhBilly!Whatanunluckyday!Whathaveyoudonenow?"
"Istold!"gulpedBilly。"Hesaiditwasistamistake，butitwasworser"anthat。ItooksomethingyoutoldmeIwasn"ttohave。"
"Stole!"Margaretwasindespair。"What，Billy?"
"Cookies!"answeredBillyinequaltrouble。
"Billy!"wailedMargaret。"Howcouldyou?"
"Itwasforhimandyou，"sobbedBilly。"Hesaidhecouldn"teatit"foreme，butoutinthebarnit"salldarkandIcouldn"tsee。Ithoughtmaybehecouldthere。
Thenwemightputoutthelightandyoucouldhaveyours。
HesaidIonlymadeitworse，cosImustn"ttakethings，soIgottogointhecloset。Willyouholdmetightalittlebitfirst?Hedid。"
MargaretopenedherarmsandBillyrushedinandclungtoherafewseconds，withalltheforceofhisbeing，thenheslippedtothefloorandmarchedtothecloset。
Margaretopenedthedoor。Billygaveoneglanceatthelight，clinchedhisfistsand，walkinginside，climbedonabox。Margaretclosedthedoor。
Thenshesatandlistened。Wastheairpureenough?
Possiblyhemightsmother。Shehadreadsomethingonce。
Wasitverydark?Whatifthereshouldbeamouseintheclosetanditshouldrunacrosshisfootandfrightenhimintospasms。Somewhereshehadheard——
Margaretleanedforwardwithtensefaceandlistened。
Somethingdreadfulmighthappen。Shecouldbearitnolonger。Shearosehurriedlyandopenedthedoor。
Billywasdrawnupontheboxinalittleheap，andheliftedadisapprovingfacetoher。
"Shutthatdoor!"hesaid。"Iain"tbeeninherenearlongenoughyet!"
CHAPTERX
WHEREINELNORAHASMOREFINANCIALTROUBLES，ANDMRS。COMSTOCKAGAINHEARSTHESONGOFTHELIMBERLOST
ThefollowingnightElnorahurriedtoSintons"。
ShethrewopenthebackdoorandwithanxiouseyessearchedMargaret"sface。
"Yougotit!"pantedElnora。"Yougotit!Icanseebyyourfacethatyoudid。Oh，giveittome!"
"Yes，Igotit，honey，Igotitallright，butdon"tbesofast。Ithadbeenkeptinsuchadampplaceitneededglueing，ithadtohavestrings，andakeywasgone。
Iknewhowmuchyouwantedit，soIsentWesleyrighttotownwithit。Theysaidtheycouldfixitgoodasnew，butitshouldbevarnished，andthatitwouldtakeseveraldaysforthegluetoset。YoucanhaveitSaturday。"
"Youfounditwhereyouthoughtitwas?Youknowit"shis?"
"Yes，itwasjustwhereIthought，andit"sthesameviolinI"veseenhimplayhundredsoftimes。It"sallright，onlylayingsolongitneedsfixing。"
"OhAuntMargaret!CanIeverwait?"
"Itdoesseemalongtime，buthowcouldIhelpit?
Youcouldn"tdoanythingwithitasitwas。Yousee，ithadbeenhiddenawayinagarret，anditneededcleaninganddryingtomakeitfittoplayagain。YoucanhaveitSaturdaysure。ButElnora，you"vegottopromisemethatyouwillleaveithere，orintown，andnotletyourmothergetahintofit。Idon"tknowwhatshe"ddo。"
"UncleWesleycanbringithereuntilMonday。ThenIwilltakeittoschoolsothatIcanpractiseatnoon。Oh，I
don"tknowhowtothankyou。Andthere"smorethantheviolinforwhichtobethankful。You"vegivenmemyfather。
LastnightIsawhimplainlyaslife。"
"Elnorayouweredreaming!"
"IknowIwasdreaming，butIsawhim。Isawhimsocloselythatatinywhitescaratthecornerofhiseyebrowshowed。Iwasjustreachingouttotouchhimwhenhedisappeared。"
"Whotoldyoutherewasascaronhisforehead?"
"Nooneeverdidinallmylife。Isawitlastnightashewentdown。Andoh，AuntMargaret!Isawwhatshedid，andIheardhiscries!Nomatterwhatshedoes，Idon"tbelieveIevercanbeangrywithheragain。Herheartisbroken，andshecan"thelpit。Oh，itwasterrible，butIamgladIsawit。Now，Iwillalwaysunderstand。"
"Idon"tknowwhattomakeofthat，"saidMargaret。
Idon"tbelieveinsuchstuffatall，butyoucouldn"tmakeitup，foryoudidn"tknow。"
"IonlyknowthatIplayedtheviolinlastnight，asheplayedit，andwhileIplayedhecamethroughthewoodsfromthedirectionofCarneys"。Itwassummerandalltheflowerswereinbloom。Heworegraytrousersandablueshirt，hisheadwasbare，andhisfacewasbeautiful。Icouldalmosttouchhimwhenhesank。"
Margaretstoodperplexed。"Idon"tknowwhattothinkofthat!"sheejaculated。"Iwasnexttothelastpersonwhosawhimbeforehewasdrowned。ItwaslateonaJuneafternoon，andhewasdressedasyoudescribe。
Hewasbareheadedbecausehehadfoundaquail"snestbeforethebirdbegantobrood，andhegatheredtheeggsinhishatandleftitinafencecornertogetonhiswayhome；theyfounditafterward。"
"WashecomingfromCarneys"?"
"Hewasonthatsideofthequagmire。Whyheeverskirteditsocloseastogetcaughtisamysteryyouwillhavetodreamout。Inevercouldunderstandit。"
"Washedoingsomethinghedidn"twantmymothertoknow?"
"Why?"
"Becauseifhehadbeen，hemighthavecutclosetheswampsohecouldn"tbeseenfromthegarden。Youknow，thewholepathstraighttothepoolwherehesankcanbeseenfromourbackdoor。It"sfirmonourside。
Thedangerisonthenorthandeast。Ifhedidn"twantmothertoknow，hemighthavetriedtopassoneitherofthosesidesandgonetooclose。Washeinahurry?"
"Yes，hewas，"saidMargaret。"Hehadbeenawaylongerthanheexpected，andhealmostranwhenhestartedhome。"
"Andhe"dlefthisviolinsomewherethatyouknew，andyouwentandgotit。I"llwagerhewasgoingtoplay，anddidn"twantmothertofinditout!"
"Itwouldn"tmakeanydifferencetoyouifyoukneweverylittlething，soquitthinkingaboutit，andjustbegladyouaretohavewhathelovedbestofanything。"
"That"strue。NowImusthurryhome。Iamdreadfullylate。"