第10章

Elnorasprangupandrandowntheroad，butwhensheapproachedthecabinsheclimbedthefence，crossedtheopenwoodspasturediagonallyandenteredatthebackgardengate。Assheoftencamethatwaywhenshehadbeenlookingforcocoonshermotheraskednoquestions。

ElnoralivedbytheminuteuntilSaturday，when，contrarytohisusualcustom，Wesleywenttotownintheforenoon，takingheralongtobuysomegroceries。

Wesleydrovestraighttothemusicstore，andaskedfortheviolinhehadlefttobemended。

Initsnewcoatofvarnish，withnewkeysandstrings，itseemedmuchlikeanyotherviolintoSinton，buttoElnoraitwasthemostbeautifulinstrumentevermade，andapricelesstreasure。Shehelditinherarms，touchedthestringssoftlyandthenshedrewthebowacrosstheminwhisperingmeasure。Shehadnotimetothinkwhataremarkablygoodbowitwasforsixteenyears"disuse。

Thetanleathercasemighthaveimpressedherasbeinginfineconditionalso，hadshebeeninastatetoquestionanything。Shedidremembertoaskforthebillandshewasgravelypresentedwithaslipcallingforfourstrings，onekey，andacoatofvarnish，total，onedollarfifty。ItseemedtoElnorashenevercouldputthepreciousinstrumentinthecaseandstarthome。Wesleyleftherinthemusicstorewheretheproprietorshowedherallhecouldabouttuning，andgaveherseveralbeginners"

sheetsofnotesandscales。Shecarriedtheviolininherarmsasfarasthecrossroadsatthecorneroftheirland，thenreluctantlyputitunderthecarriageseat。

AssoonasherworkwasdonesherandowntoSintons"

andbegantoplay，andonMondaytheviolinwenttoschoolwithher。Shemadearrangementswiththesuperintendenttoleaveitinhisofficeandscarcelytooktimeforherfoodatnoon，shewassoeagertopractise。Oftenoneofthegirlsaskedhertostayintownallnightforsomelectureorentertainment。Shecouldtaketheviolinwithher，practise，andsecurehelp。Herskillwassogreatthattheleaderoftheorchestraofferedtogiveherlessonsifshewouldplaytopayforthem，soherprogresswasrapidintechnicalwork。Butfromthefirstdaytheinstrumentbecamehers，withperfectfaiththatshecouldplayasherfatherdid，shespenthalfherpracticetimeinimitatingthesoundsofalloutdoorsandimprovisingthesongsherhappyheartsanginthosedays。

Sothefirstyearwent，andthesecondandthirdwerearepetition；butthefourthwasdifferent，forthatwasthecloseofthecourse，endingwithgraduationandallitsattendantceremoniesandexpenses。ToElnoratheseappearedmountainhigh。Shehadhoardedeverycent，thinkingtwicebeforeshepartedwithapenny，butteachingnaturalhistoryinthegradeshadtakentimefromherstudiesinschoolwhichmustbemadeupoutside。Shewasaconscientiousstudent，rankingfirstinmostofherclasses，andstandinghighinallbranches。Herinterestinherviolinhadgrownwiththeyears。Shewenttoschoolearlyandpractisedhalfanhourinthelittleroomadjoiningthestage，whiletheorchestragathered。Sheputinafullhouratnoon，andremainedanotherhalfhouratnight。

ShecarriedtheviolintoSintons"onSaturdayandpractisedallthetimeshecouldthere，whileMargaretwatchedtheroadtoseethatMrs。Comstockwasnotcoming。Shehadbecomesoskilfulthatitwasadelighttohearherplaymusicofanycomposer，butwhensheplayedherown，thatwasjoyinexpressible，forthenthewindblew，thewaterrippled，theLimberlostsanghersongsofsunshine，shadow，blackstorm，andwhitenight。

SinceherdreamElnorahadregardedhermotherwithpeculiartenderness。Thegirlrealized，inameasure，whathadhappened。Sheavoidedanythingthatpossiblycouldstirbittermemoriesordrawdeeperalineonthehard，whiteface。Thiscostmanysacrifices，muchwork，andsometimesdelayedprogress，butthehorrorofthatawfuldreamremainedwithElnora。Sheworkedherwaycheerfully，doingallshecouldtointeresthermotherinthingsthathappenedinschool，inthecity，andbycarryingbooksthatwereentertainingfromthepubliclibrary。

ThreeyearshadchangedElnorafromthegirlofsixteentotheveryvergeofwomanhood。Shehadgrowntall，round，andherfacehadthelovelinessofperfectcomplexion，beautifuleyesandhairandanaddedtouchfromwithinthatmighthavebeencalledcomprehension。

Itwasacompoundofself-reliance，hardknocks，hearthunger，unceasingwork，andgenerosity。Therewasnoformofsufferingwithwhichthegirlcouldnotsympathize，noworkshewasafraidtoattempt，nosubjectshehadinvestigatedshedidnotunderstand。Thesethingscombinedtoproduceabreadthanddepthofcharacteraltogetherunusual。

Shewassoabsorbedinherclassesandhermusicthatshehadnotbeenabletogathermanyspecimens。Whensherealizedthisandhuntedassiduously，shesoonfoundthatchangingnaturalconditionshadaffectedsuchwork。

Menallaroundwereclearingavailableland。Thetreesfellwherevercornwouldgrow。Theswampwasbrokenbyseveralgravelroads，dottedinplacesaroundtheedgewithlittleframehouses，andthemachineryofoilwells；

oneespeciallylowplacearoundtheregionofFreckles"sroomwasnearlyallthatremainedoftheoriginal。

Whereverthetreesfellthemoisturedried，thecreeksceasedtoflow，theriverranlow，andattimesthebedwasdry。Withunbrokensweepthewindsofthewestcame，gatheringforcewitheverymileandhowledandraved；threateningtoteartheshinglesfromtheroof，blowingthesurfacefromthesoilincloudsoffinedustandrapidlychangingeverything。Fromcominginwithtwoorthreedozenraremothsinaday，inthreeyears"timeElnorahadgrowntobedelightedwithfindingtwoorthree。

Bigpursycaterpillarscouldnotbepickedfromtheirfavouritebushes，whentherewerenobushes。Dragonflieswouldnothoveroverdryplaces，andbutterfliesbecamescarceinproportiontotheflowers，whilenolandyieldsoverthreecropsofIndianrelics。

Allthetimetheexpenseofbooks，clothingandincidentalshadcontinued。Elnoraaddedtoherbankaccountwhenevershecould，anddrewoutwhenshewascompelled，butsheomittedtheimportantfeatureofcallingforabalance。So，oneearlyspringmorninginthelastquarterofthefourthyear，shealmostfaintedwhenshelearnedthatherfundsweregone。Commencementwithitsextraexpensewascoming，shehadnomoney，andveryfewcocoonstoopeninJune，whichwouldbetoolate。ShehadonecollectionfortheBirdWomancompletetoapairofImperialismoths，andthatwasheronlyasset。OnthedaysheaddedthesebigYellowEmperorsshehadbeenpromisedacheckforthreehundreddollars，butshewouldnotgetituntilthesespecimensweresecured。

SherememberedthatsheneverhadfoundanEmperorbeforeJune。

Moreover，thatsumwasforherfirstyearincollege。

Thenshewouldbeofage，andshemeanttosellenoughofhershareofherfather"slandtofinish。Sheknewhermotherwouldopposeherbitterlyinthat，forMrs。

Comstockhadclungtoeveryacreandtreethatbelongedtoherhusband。Herlandwasalmostcompleteforestwhereherneighboursownedclearedfarms，dottedwithwellsthateveryhoursuckedoilfrombeneathherholdings，butshewastooabsorbedinthegriefshenursedtoknoworcare。

TheBrushwoodroadandtheredredgingofthebigLimberlostditchhadbeenmorethanshecouldpayfromherincome，andshehadtrembledbeforethewicketassheaskedthebankerifshehadfundstopayit，andwonderedwhyhelaughedwhenheassuredhershehad。ForMrs。Comstockhadspentnotimeoncompoundinginterest，andneveraddedthesumsshehadbeendepositingthroughnearlytwentyyears。Nowshethoughtherfundswerealmostgone，andeverydaysheworriedoverexpenses。

Shecouldseenoreasoningoingthroughtheformsofgraduationwhenpupilshadallintheirheadsthatwasrequiredtograduate。Elnoraknewshehadtohaveherdiplomainordertoenterthecollegeshewantedtoattend，butshedidnotdareuttertheword，untilhighschoolwasfinished，for，insteadofsofteningasshehopedhermotherhadbeguntodo，sheseemedtoremainverymuchthesame。

Whenthegirlreachedtheswampshesatonalogandthoughtovertheexpenseshewascompelledtomeet。

Everymemberofherparticularsetwashavingalargephotographtakentoexchangewiththeothers。Elnoralovedthesegirlsandboys，andtosayshecouldnothavetheirpicturestokeepwasmorethanshecouldendure。

Eachonewouldgivetoalltheothersahandsomegraduationpresent。Sheknewtheywouldpreparegiftsforherwhethershecouldmakeapresentinreturnornot。

Thenitwasthecustomforeachgraduatingclasstogiveagreatentertainmentandusethefundstopresenttheschoolwithastatuefortheentrancehall。Elnorahadbeencastforandwaspractisingapartinthatperformance。Shewasexpectedtofurnishherdressandpersonalnecessities。

Shehadbeentoldthatshemusthaveagreengauzedress，andwherewasittocomefrom?

EverygirloftheclasswouldhavethreebeautifulnewfrocksforCommencement:oneforthebaccalaureatesermon，another，whichcouldbeplain，forgraduationexercises，andahandsomeoneforthebanquetandball。

Elnorafacedthepastthreeyearsandwonderedhowshecouldhavespentsomuchmoneyandnotkeptaccountofit。

Shedidnotrealizewhereithadgone。Shedidnotknowwhatshecoulddonow。Shethoughtoverthephotographs，andatlastsettledthatquestiontohersatisfaction。Shestudiedlongeroverthegifts，tenhandsomeonestheremustbe，andatlastdecidedshecouldarrangeforthem。Thegreendresscamefirst。

Thelightswouldbediminthescene，andthesettingdeepwoods。Shecouldmanagethat。Shesimplycouldnothavethreedresses。Shewouldhavetogetaverysimpleoneforthesermonanddothebestshecouldforgraduation。

Whatevershegotforthatmustbemadewithaguimpethatcouldbetakenouttomakeitalittlemorefestivefortheball。Butwherecouldshegeteventwoprettydresses?

TheonlyhopeshecouldseewastobreakintothecollectionofthemanfromIndia，sellsomemoths，andtrytoreplacetheminJune。Butinhersoulsheknewthatneverwoulddo。NoJuneeverbroughtjustthethingsshehopeditwould。Ifshespentthecollegemoneysheknewshecouldnotreplaceit。Ifshedidnot，theonlywaywastosecurearoominthegradesandteachayear。HerworktherehadbeensoappreciatedthatElnorafeltwiththerecommendationsheknewshecouldgetfromthesuperintendentandteachersshecouldsecureaposition。

Shewassureshecouldpasstheexaminationseasily。

ShehadoncegoneonSaturday，takenthemandsecuredalicenseforayearbeforeshelefttheBrushwoodschool。

Shewantedtostarttocollegewhentheothergirlsweregoing。

Ifshecouldmakethefirstyearalone，shecouldmanagetheremainder。Butmakethatfirstyearherself，shemust。

Insteadofsellinganyofhercollection，shemusthuntassheneverbeforehadhuntedandfindaYellowEmperor。

Shehadtohaveit，thatwasall。Also，shehadtohavethosedresses。ShethoughtofWesleyanddismissedit。

ShethoughtoftheBirdWoman，andknewshecouldnottellher。Shethoughtofeverywayinwhichsheeverhadhopedtoearnmoneyandrealizedthatwiththeplay，committeemeetings，practising，andfinalexaminationsshescarcelyhadtimetolive，muchlesstodomorethantheworkrequiredforherpicturesandgifts。AgainElnorawasintrouble，andthistimeitseemedtheworstofall。

Itwasdarkwhenshearoseandwenthome。

"Mother，"shesaid，"Ihaveapieceofnewsthatisdecidedlynotcheerful。"

"Thenkeepittoyourself!"saidMrs。Comstock。"IthinkIhaveenoughtobearwithoutagreatgirllikeyoupilingtroubleonme。"

"Mymoneyisallgone!"saidElnora。

"Well，didyouthinkitwouldlastforever?It"sbeenamarveltomethatit"sheldoutaswellasithas，thewayyou"vedressedandgone。"

"Idon"tthinkI"vespentanythatIwasnotcompelledto，"saidElnora。"I"vedressedonjustaslittleasI

possiblycouldtokeepgoing。Iamheartsick。IthoughtIhadoverfiftydollarstoputmethroughCommencement，buttheytellmeitisallgone。"

"Fiftydollars!ToputyouthroughCommencement!

Whatonearthareyouproposingtodo?"

"Thesameastherestofthem，intheverycheapestwaypossible。"

"Andwhatmightthatbe?"

Elnoraomittedthephotographs，thegiftsandtheplay。

Shetoldonlyofthesermon，graduationexercises，andtheball。

"Well，Iwouldn"ttroublemyselfoverthat，"sniffedMrs。Comstock。"Ifyouwanttogotoasermon，putonthedressyoualwaysuseformeeting。Ifyouneedwhitefortheexerciseswearthenewdressyougotlastspring。

Asfortheball，thebestthingforyoutodoistostayamileawayfromsuchfolly。Inmyopinionyou"dbestbringhomeyourbooks，andquitrightnow。Youcan"tbefixedliketherestofthem，don"tbesofoolishastorunintoit。Juststayhereandlettheselastfewdaysgo。Youcan"tlearnenoughmoretobeofanyaccount。"

"But，mother，"gaspedElnora。"Youdon"tunderstand!"

"Oh，yes，Ido!"saidMrs。Comstock。"Iunderstandperfectly。

Solongasthemoneylasted，youheldupyourhead，andwentsailingwithoutevenexplaininghowyougotitfromthestuffyougathered。GoodnessknowsIcouldn"tsee。

Butnowit"sgone，youcomewhiningtome。WhathaveIgot?

Haveyouforgotthattheditchandtheroadcompletelystrappedme?Ihaven"tanymoney。There"snothingforyoutodobutgetoutofit。"

"Ican"t!"saidElnoradesperately。"I"vegoneontoolong。

Itwouldmakeabreakineverything。Theywouldn"tletmehavemydiploma!"

"What"sthedifference?You"vegotthestuffinyourhead。

Iwouldn"tgivearapforascrapofpaper。Thatdon"tmeananything!"

"ButI"veworkedfouryearsforit，andIcan"tenter——

Ioughttohaveittohelpmegetaschool，whenIwanttoteach。IfIdon"thavemygradestoshow，peoplewillthinkIquitbecauseIcouldn"tpassmyexaminations。

Imusthavemydiploma!"

"Thengetit!"saidMrs。Comstock。

"Theonlywayistograduatewiththeothers。"

"Well，graduateifyouareboundto!"

"ButIcan"t，unlessIhavethingsenoughliketheclass，thatIdon"tlookasIdidthatfirstday。"

"Well，pleaserememberIdidn"tgetyouintothis，andIcan"tgetyouout。Youaresetonhavingyourownway。Goon，andhaveit，andseehowyoulikeit!"

Elnorawentupstairsanddidnotcomedownagainthatnight，whichhermothercalledpouting。

"I"vethoughtallnight，"saidthegirlatbreakfast，"andIcan"tseeanywaybuttoborrowthemoneyofUncleWesleyandpayitbackfromsomethattheBirdWomanwilloweme，whenIgetonemorespecimen。

ButthatmeansthatIcan"tgoto——thatIwillhavetoteachthiswinter，ifIcangetacitygradeoracountryschool。"

"JustyoudaregodingingafterWesleySintonformoney，"

criedMrs。Comstock。"Youwon"tdoanysuchathing!"

"Ican"tseeanyotherway。I"vegottohavethemoney!"

"Quit，Itellyou!"

"Ican"tquit!——I"vegonetoofar!"

"Wellthen，letmegetyourclothes，andyoucanpaymeback。"

"Butyousaidyouhadnomoney!"

"MaybeIcanborrowsomeatthebank。ThenyoucanreturnitwhentheBirdWomanpaysyou。"

"Allright，"saidElnora。"Idon"tneedexpensivethings。

Justsomekindofaprettycheapwhitedressforthesermon，andawhiteonealittlebetterthanIhadlastsummer，forCommencementandtheball。IcanusethewhiteglovesandshoesIgotmyselfforlastyear，andyoucangetmydressmadeatthesameplaceyoudidthatone。

Theyhavemymeasurements，anddoperfectwork。

Don"tgetexpensivethings。ItwillbewarmsoIcangobareheaded。"

Thenshestartedtoschool，butwassotiredanddiscouragedshescarcelycouldwalk。Fouryears"plansgoinginoneday!Forshefeltthatifshedidnotstarttocollegethatfallsheneverwould。Insteadoffeelingrelievedathermother"soffer，shewasalmosttooilltogoon。Forthethousandthtimeshegroaned:"Oh，whydidn"tIkeepaccountofmymoney?"

Afterthatthedayspassedsoswiftlyshescarcelyhadtimetothink，butseveraltripshermothermadetotown，andtheassurancethateverythingwasallright，satisfiedElnora。Sheworkedveryhardtopassgoodfinalexaminationsandperfectherselffortheplay。

FortwodaysshehadremainedintownwiththeBirdWomaninordertospendmoretimepractisingandatherwork。

OftenMargarethadaskedaboutherdressesforgraduation，andElnorahadrepliedthattheywerewithawomaninthecitywhohadmadeherawhitedressforlastyear"sCommencementwhenshewasajuniorusher，andtheywouldbeallright。SoMargaret，Wesley，andBillyconcernedthemselvesoverwhattheywouldgiveherforapresent。

Margaretsuggestedabeautifuldress。Wesleysaidthatwouldlooktoeveryoneasifsheneededdresses。

Thethingwastogetahandsomegiftlikealltheotherswouldhave。Billywantedtopresentherafive-dollargoldpiecetobuymusicforherviolin。HewaspositiveElnorawouldlikethatbestofanything。

Itwastowardthecloseofthetermwhentheydrovetotownoneeveningtotrytosettlethisimportantquestion。

TheyknewMrs。Comstockhadbeenaloneseveraldays，sotheyaskedhertoaccompanythem。Shehadbeenmorelonelythanshewouldadmit，filledwithunusualunrestbesides，andsoshewasgladtogo。ButbeforetheyhaddrivenamileBillyhadtoldthattheyweregoingtobuyElnoraagraduationpresent，andMrs。Comstockdevoutlywishedthatshehadremainedathome。ShewaspreparedwhenBillyasked:"AuntKate，whatareyougoingtogiveElnorawhenshegraduates?"

"Plentytoeat，agoodbedtosleepin，anddoalltheworkwhileshetrollops，"answeredMrs。Comstockdryly。

Billyreflected。"Iguessallofthemhavethat，"hesaid。

"Imeanapresentyoubuyatthestore，likeChristmas?"

"Itisonlyrichfolkswhobuypresentsatstores，"

repliedMrs。Comstock。"Ican"taffordit。"

"Well，weain"trich，"hesaid，"butwearegoingtobuyElnorasomethingasfineastherestofthemhaveifwesellacornerofthefarm。UncleWesleysaidso。"

"Afoolandhislandaresoonparted，"saidMrs。

Comstocktersely。WesleyandBillylaughed，butMargaretdidnotenjoytheremark。

Whiletheyweresearchingthestoresforsomethingonwhichallofthemcoulddecide，andMargaretwasholdingBillytokeephimfromsayinganythingbeforeMrs。Comstockaboutthemusiconwhichhewasdetermined，Mr。BrownleemetWesleyandstoppedtoshakehands。

"Iseeyourboycameoutfinely，"hesaid。

"Idon"tallowanyboyanywheretobefinerthanBilly，"

saidWesley。

"Iguessyoudon"tallowanygirltosurpassElnora，"

saidMr。Brownlee。"ShecomeshomewithEllenoften，andmywifeandIloveher。Ellensayssheisgreatinherpartto-night。Bestthinginthewholeplay!Ofcourse，youareintoseeit!Ifyouhaven"treservedseats，you"dbetterstartprettysoon，forthehighschoolauditoriumonlyseatsathousand。It"salwaysjammedatthesehome-

talentplays。Allofuswanttoseehowourchildrenperform。"

"Whyyes，ofcourse，"saidthebewilderedWesley。

ThenhehurriedtoMargaret。"Say，"hesaid，"thereisgoingtobeaplayatthehighschoolto-night；andElnoraisinit。Whyhasn"tshetoldus?"

"Idon"tknow，"saidMargaret，"butI"mgoing。"

"SoamI，"saidBilly。

"Metoo!"saidWesley，"unlessyouthinkforsomereasonshedoesn"twantus。Lookslikeshewouldhavetoldusifshehad。I"mgoingtoaskhermother。"

"Yes，that"swhat"sshe"sbeenstayingintownfor，"saidMrs。Comstock。"It"ssomesortofaswindletoraisemoneyforherclasstobuysomesillythingtostickupintheschoolhousehalltorememberthemby。Idon"tknowwhetherit"snowornextweek，butthere"ssomethingofthekindtobedone。"

"Well，it"sto-night，"saidWesley，"andwearegoing。

It"smytreat，andwe"vegottohurryorwewon"tgetin。

Therearereservedseats，andwehavenone，soit"sthegalleryforus，butIdon"tcaresoIgettotakeonegoodpeepatElnora。"

"S"posesheplays?"whisperedMargaretinhisear。

"Aw，tush!Shecouldn"t!"saidWesley。

"Well，she"sbeendoingitthreeyearsintheorchestra，andworkinglikeaslaveatit。"

"Oh，wellthat"sdifferent。She"sintheplayto-night。

Brownleetoldmeso。Comeon，quick!We"lldriveandhitchclosestplacewecanfindtothebuilding。"

Margaretwentintheexcitementofthemoment，butshewastroubled。

WhentheyreachedthebuildingWesleytiedtheteamtoarailingandBillysprangouttohelpMargaret。

Mrs。Comstocksatstill。

"Comeon，Kate，"saidWesley，reachinghishand。

"I"mnotgoinganywhere，"saidMrs。Comstock，settlingcomfortablybackagainstthecushions。

Allofthembeggedandpleaded，butitwasnouse。NotaninchwouldMrs。Comstockbudge。Thenightwaswarmandthecarriagecomfortable，thehorsesweresecurelyhitched。

Shedidnotcaretoseewhatidioticthingapackofschoolchildrenweredoing，shewouldwaituntiltheSintonsreturned。

Wesleytoldheritmightbetwohours，andshesaidshedidnotcareifitwerefour，sotheylefther。

"Didyoueverseesuch——?"

"Cookies!"criedBilly。

"Suchblamedstubbornnessinallyourlife?"demandedWesley。

"Won"tcometoseeasfineagirlasElnorainastageperformance。Why，Iwouldn"tmissitforfiftydollars!

"Ithinkit"sablessingshedidn"t，"saidMargaretplacidly。

"Ibeggedunusuallyhardsoshewouldn"t。I"mscaredofmylifeforfearElnorawillplay。"

Theyfoundseatsnearthedoorwheretheycouldseefairlywell。Billystoodatthebackofthehallandhadagoodview。Byandby，agreatvolumeofsoundwelledfromtheorchestra，butElnorawasnotplaying。

"Toldyouso!"saidSinton。"GotanotiontogooutandseeifKatewon"tcomenow。Shecantakemyseat，andI"llstandwithBilly。"

"Yousitstill!"saidMargaretemphatically。"Thisisnotoveryet。"

SoWesleyremainedinhisseat。Theplayopenedandprogressedverymuchasallhighschoolplayshavegoneforthepastfiftyyears。ButElnoradidnotappearinanyofthescenes。

Outinthewarmsummernightasour，grimwomannursedanachingheartandtriedtojustifyherself。

Theeffortirritatedherintensely。Shefeltthatshecouldnotaffordthethingsthatwerebeingdone。

TheoldfearoflosingthelandthatsheandRobertComstockhadpurchasedandstartedclearingwasstronguponher。Shewasthinkingofhim，howsheneededhim，whentheorchestramusicpouredfromtheopenwindowsnearher。Mrs。Comstockendureditaslongasshecould，andthenslippedfromthecarriageandfleddownthestreet。

Shedidnotknowhowfarshewentorhowlongshestayed，buteverythingwasstill，saveanoccasionalraisedvoicewhenshewanderedback。Shestoodlookingatthebuilding。Slowlysheenteredthewidegatesandfollowedupthewalk。Elnorahadbeencominghereforalmostfouryears。WhenMrs。Comstockreachedthedoorshelookedinside。Thewidehallwaslightedwithelectricity，andthestatuaryandthedecorationsofthewallsdidnotseemlikepiecesoffoolishness。Themarbleappearedpure，white，andthebigpicturesmostinteresting。

Shewalkedthelengthofthehallandslowlyreadthetitlesofthestatuesandthenamesofthepupilswhohaddonatedthem。

ShespeculatedonwherethepieceElnora"sclasswouldbuycouldbeplacedtoadvantage。

Thenshewonderediftheywerehavingalargeenoughaudiencetobuymarble。Shelikeditbetterthanthebronze，butitlookedasifitcostmore。Howwhitethebroadstairwaywas!Elnorahadbeenclimbingthosestairsforyearsandnevertoldhertheyweremarble。

Ofcourse，shethoughttheywerewood。Probablytheupperhallwasevengranderthanthis。Shewentovertothefountain，tookadrink，climbedtothefirstlandingandlookedaroundher，andthenwithoutthoughttothesecond。

Thereshecameoppositethewide-opendoorsandtheentrancetotheauditoriumpackedwithpeopleandacrowdstandingoutside。Whentheynoticedatallwomanwithwhitefaceandhairandblackdress，onebyonetheysteppedalittleaside，sothatMrs。Comstockcouldseethestage。Itwascoveredwithcurtains，andnoonewasdoinganything。Justassheturnedtogoasoundsofaintthateveryoneleanedforwardandlistened，drifteddowntheauditorium。Itwasdifficulttotelljustwhatitwas；afteroneinstanthalftheaudiencelookedtowardthewindows，foritseemedonlyabreathofwindrustlingfreshlyopenedleaves；merelyahintofstirringair。

Thenthecurtainsweresweptasideswiftly。Thestagehadbeentransformedintoalovelylittlecornerofcreation，wheretreesandflowersgrewandmosscarpetedtheearth。

Asoftwindblewanditwasthegrayofdawn。Suddenlyarobinbegantosing，thenasongsparrowjoinedhim，andthenseveraloriolesbegantalkingatonce。Thelightgrewstronger，thedewdropstrembled，flowerperfumebegantocreepouttotheaudience；theairmovedthebranchesgentlyandaroostercrowed。Thenallthescenewasshakenwithababelofbirdnotesinwhichyoucouldhearacardinalwhistling，andabluefinchpiping。Backsomewhereamongthehighbranchesadovecooedandthenahorseneighedshrilly。Thatsetablackbirdcrying，"T"check，"

andawholeflockansweredit。Thecrowsbegantocawandalambbleated。Thenthegrosbeaks，chats，andvireoshadsomethingtosay，andthesunrosehigher，thelightgrewstrongerandthebreezerustledthetreetopsloudly；acowbawledandthewholebarnyardanswered。

Theguineaswereclucking，theturkeygobblerstrutting，thehenscalling，thechickenscheeping，thelightstreameddownstraightoverheadandthebeesbegantohum。Theairstirredstrongly，andawayinanunseenfieldareaperclackedandrattledthroughripeningwheatwhilethedriverwhistled。Anuneasymarewhickeredtohercolt，thecoltanswered，andthelightbegantodecline。

Milesawayaroostercrowedfortwilight，andduskwascomingdown。Thenacatbirdandabrownthrushsangagainstagrosbeakandahermitthrush。Theairwastremulouswithheavenlynotes，thelightswentoutinthehall，dusksweptacrossthestage，acricketsangandakatydidanswered，andawoodpeweewrungtheheartwithitslonesomecry。Thenanighthawkscreamed，awhip-

poor-willcomplained，abelatedkilldeersweptthesky，andthenightwindsangaloudersong。Alittlescreechowltunedupinthedistance，abarnowlreplied，andagreathornedowldrownedboththeirvoices。Themoonshoneandthescenewaswarmwithmellowlight。Thebirdvoicesdiedandsoftexquisitemelodybegantoswellandroll。Inthecentreofthestage，piecebypiecethegrasses，mossesandleavesdroppedfromanembankment，thefoliagesoftlyblewaway，whileplainerandplainercametheoutlinesofalovelygirlfiguredrapedinsoftclinginggreen。Inhershowerofbrighthairafewgreenleavesandwhiteblossomsclung，andtheyfelloverherrobedowntoherfeet。Herwhitethroatandarmswerebare，sheleanedforwardalittleandswayedwiththemelody，hereyesfastonthecloudsaboveher，herlipsparted，apinktingeofexerciseinhercheeksasshedrewherbow。Sheplayedasonlyapeculiarchainofcircumstancesputsitinthepowerofaveryfewtoplay。

Allnaturehadgrownstill，theviolinsobbed，sang，dancedandquaveredonalone，novoiceinparticular；

thesoulofthemelodyofallnaturecombinedinonegreatoutpouring。

Atthedoorway，awhite-facedwomanendureditaslongasshecouldandthenfellsenseless。Themennearestcarriedherdownthehalltothefountain，revivedher，andthenplacedherinthecarriagetowhichshedirectedthem。

Thegirlplayedonandneverknew。Whenshefinished，theuproarofapplausesoundedablockdownthestreet，butthehalf-senselesswomanscarcelyrealizedwhatitmeant。

Thenthegirlcametothefrontofthestage，bowed，andliftingtheviolinsheplayedherconceptionofaninvitationtodance。Everylivingsoulwithinsoundofhernotesstrainedtheirnervestositstillandletonlytheirheartsdancewithher。Whenthatbeganthewomanrantowardthecountry。Sheneverstoppeduntilthecarriageovertookherhalf-waytohercabin。Shesaidshehadgrowntiredofsitting，andwalkedonahead。ThatnightsheaskedBillytoremainwithherandsleeponElnora"sbed。

Thenshepitchedheadlonguponherown，andsufferedagonyofsoulsuchassheneverbeforehadknown。

Theswamphadsentbackthesoulofherloveddeadandputitintothebodyofthedaughtersheresented，anditwasalmostmorethanshecouldendureandlive。

CHAPTERXI

WHEREINELNORAGRADUATES，ANDFRECKLESANDTHEANGELSENDGIFTS

ThatwasFridaynight。ElnoracamehomeSaturdaymorningandbeganwork。Mrs。Comstockaskednoquestions，andthegirlonlytoldherthattheaudiencehadbeenlargeenoughtomorethanpayforthepieceofstatuarytheclasshadselectedforthehall。Thensheinquiredaboutherdressesandwastoldtheywouldbereadyforher。ShehadbeeninvitedtogototheBirdWoman"stoprepareforboththesermonandCommencementexercises。Sincetherewassomuchpractisingtodo，ithadbeenarrangedthatsheshouldremaintherefromthenightofthesermonuntilaftershewasgraduated。IfMrs。ComstockdecidedtoattendshewastodriveinwiththeSintons。WhenElnorabeggedhertocomeshesaidshecarednothingaboutsuchsilliness。

ItwasalmosttimeforWesleytocometotakeElnoratothecity，whenfreshfromherbath，anddressedtoheroutergarment，shestoodwithexpectantfacebeforehermotherandcried:"Nowmydress，mother!"

Mrs。Comstockwaspaleasshereplied:"It"sonmybed。

Helpyourself。"

Elnoraopenedthedoorandsteppedintohermother"sroomwithneveramisgiving。SincethenightMargaretandWesleyhadbroughtherclothing，whenshefirststartedtoschool，hermotherhadselectedallofherdresses，withMrs。Sinton"shelpmademostofthem，andElnorahadpaidthebills。Thewhitedressofthepreviousspringwasthefirstmadeatadressmaker"s。ShehadwornthatasjuniorusheratCommencement；buthermotherhadselectedthematerial，haditmade，andithadfittedperfectlyandhadbeensuitableineveryway。Sowithherheartatrestonthatpoint，Elnorahurriedtothebedtofindonlyherlastsummer"swhitedress，freshlywashedandironed。Foraninstantshestaredatit，thenshepickedupthegarment，lookedatthebedbeneathit，andhergazeslowlyswepttheroom。

Itwasunfamiliar。Perhapsthiswasthethirdtimeshehadbeeninitsinceshewasaverysmallchild。Hereyesrangedoverthebeautifulwalnutdresser，thetallbureau，thebigchest，insidewhichsheneverhadseen，andtherowofmasculineattirehangingaboveit。Somewhereadaintylawnormulldresssimplymustbehanging:butitwasnot。Elnoradroppedonthechestbecauseshefelttooweaktostand。Inlessthantwohoursshemustbeinthechurch，atOnabasha。Shecouldnotwearalastyear"swasheddress。Shehadnothingelse。Sheleanedagainstthewallandherfather"sovercoatbrushedherface。

Shecaughtthefoldsandclungtoitwithallhermight。

"Ohfather!Father!"shemoaned。"Ineedyou!Idon"tbelieveyouwouldhavedonethis!"Atlastsheopenedthedoor。

"Ican"tfindmydress，"shesaid。

"Well，asit"stheonlyonethereIshouldn"tthinkitwouldbemuchtrouble。"

"Youmeanformetowearanoldwasheddressto-night?"

"It"sagooddress。Thereisn"taholeinit!There"snoreasononearthwhyyoushouldn"twearit。"

"ExceptthatIwillnot，"saidElnora。"Didn"tyouprovideanydressforCommencement，either?"

"Ifyousoilthatto-night，I"veplentyoftimetowashitagain。"

Wesley"svoicecalledfromthegate。

"Inaminute，"answeredElnora。

Sheranupstairsandinanincrediblyshorttimecamedownwearingoneofherginghamschooldresses。Herfacecoldandhard，shepassedhermotherandwentintothenight。HalfanhourlaterMargaretandBillystoppedforMrs。Comstockwiththecarriage。Shehaddeterminedfullythatshewouldnotgobeforetheycalled。Withthesoundoftheirvoicesasortofhorrorofbeingleftseizedher，sosheputonherhat，lockedthedoorandwentouttothem。

"HowdidElnoralook?"inquiredMargaretanxiously。

"Likeshealwaysdoes，"answeredMrs。Comstockcurtly。

"Idohopeherdressesareasprettyastheothers，"

saidMargaret。"Noneofthemwillhaveprettierfacesornicerways。"

Wesleywaswaitingbeforethebigchurchtotakecareoftheteam。Astheystoodwatchingthepeopleenterthebuilding，Mrs。Comstockfeltherselfgrowingill。Whentheywentinsideamongthelights，sawtheflower-deckedstage，andthemassesoffinelydressedpeople，shegrewnobetter。

ShecouldhearMargaretandBillysoftlycommentingonwhatwasbeingdone。

"ThatfirstchairintheveryfrontrowisElnora"s，"

exultedBilly，"cosshe"sgotthehighestgrades，andsoshegetstoleadtheprocessiontotheplatform。"

"Thefirstchair!""Leadtheprocession!"Mrs。Comstockwasdumbfounded。Thenotesofthepipeorganbegantofillthebuildinginaslowrollingmarch。WouldElnoraleadtheprocessioninaginghamdress?Orwouldshebeabsentandherchairvacantonthisgreatoccasion?Fornow，Mrs。

Comstockcouldseethatitwasagreatoccasion。EveryonewouldrememberhowElnorahadplayedafewnightsbefore，andtheywouldmissherandpityher。Pity?Becauseshehadnoonetocareforher。Becauseshewasworseoffthanifshehadnomother。Forthefirsttimeinherlife，Mrs。Comstockbegantostudyherselfasshewouldappeartoothers。

Everytimeajuniorgirlcameflutteringdowntheaisle，leadingsomeonetoaseat，andMrs。Comstocksawabeautifulwhitedresspass，awaveofpositiveillnesssweptoverher。

Whathadshedone?WhatwouldbecomeofElnora?

AsElnorarodetothecity，sheansweredWesley"squestionsinmonosyllablessothathethoughtshewasnervousorrehearsingherspeechanddidnotcaretotalk。

Severaltimesthegirltriedtotellhimandrealizedthatifshesaidthefirstworditwouldbringuncontrollabletears。

TheBirdWomanopenedthescreenandstaredunbelievingly。

"Why，Ithoughtyouwouldbeready；youaresolate!"

shesaid。"Ifyouhavewaitedtodresshere，wemusthurry。"

"Ihavenothingtoputon，"saidElnora。

InbewildermenttheBirdWomandrewherinside。

"Did——did——"shefaltered。"Didyouthinkyouwouldwearthat?"

"No。IthoughtIwouldtelephoneEllenthattherehadbeenanaccidentandIcouldnotcome。Idon"tknowyethowtoexplain。I"mtoosicktothink。Oh，doyousupposeIcangetsomethingmadebyTuesday，sothatIcangraduate?"

"Yes；andyou"llgetsomethingonyouto-night，sothatyoucanleadyourclass，asyouhavedoneforfouryears。

Gotomyroomandtakeoffthatgingham，quickly。Anna，dropeverything，andcomehelpme。"

TheBirdWomanrantothetelephoneandcalledEllenBrownlee。

"Elnorahashadanaccident。Shewillbealittlelate，"

shesaid。"Youhavegottomakethemwait。Havethemplayextramusicbeforethemarch。"

Thensheturnedtothemaid。"TellBensontohavethecarriageatthegate，justassoonashecangetitthere。

Thencometomyroom。Bringthethreadboxfromthesewing-room，thatrollofwidewhiteribbononthecuttingtable，andgatherallthewhitepinsfromeverydresserinthehouse。Butfirstcomewithmeaminute。"

"IwantthattrunkwiththeSwampAngel"sstuffinit，fromthecedarcloset，"shepantedastheyreachedthetopofthestairs。

TheyhurrieddownthehalltogetheranddraggedthebigtrunktotheBirdWoman"sroom。Sheopeneditandbegantossingoutwhitestuff。

"Howluckythatsheleftthesethings!"shecried。

"Herearewhiteshoes，gloves，stockings，fans，everything!"

"Iamallreadybutadress，"saidElnora。

TheBirdWomanbeganopeningclosetsandpullingoutdrawersandboxes。

"IthinkIcanmakeitthisway，"shesaid。

Shesnatchedupacreamylaceyokewithlongsleevesthatrecentlyhadbeenmadeforherandhelditout。

Elnoraslippedintoit，andtheBirdWomanbegansmoothingoutwrinklesandsewinginpins。Itfittedverywellwithalittlelappingintheback。Next，fromamongtheAngel"sclothingshecaughtupawhitesilkwaistwithlowneckandelbowsleeves，andElnoraputiton。Itwaslargeenough，butdistressinglyshortinthewaist，fortheAngelhadwornitatapartywhenshewassixteen。TheBirdWomanloosenedthesleevesandpushedthemtoapuffontheshoulders，catchingtheminplaceswithpins。

Shebeganonthewidedrapingoftheyoke，fasteningitfront，backandateachshoulder。Shepulleddownthewaistandpinnedit。Nextcameasoftwhitedressskirtofherown。BypinningherwaistbandquitefourinchesaboveElnora"s，theBirdWomancouldsecureaperfectEmpiresweep，withtheclingingsilk。Thenshebeganwiththewidewhiteribbonthatwastotrimanewfrockforherself，bounditthreetimesaroundthehighwaisteffectshehadmanaged，tiedtheendsinaknotandletthemfalltothefloorinabeautifulsash。

"Iwantfourwhiteroses，eachwithtwoorthreeleaves，"shecried。

Annarantobringthem，whiletheBirdWomanaddedpins。

"Elnora，"shesaid，"forgiveme，buttellmetruly。Isyourmothersopoorastomakethisnecessary?"

"No，"answeredElnora。"NextyearIamheirtomyshareofoverthreehundredacresoflandcoveredwithalmostasvaluabletimberaswasintheLimberlost。Weadjoinit。

Therecouldbethirtyoilwellsdrilledthatwouldyieldtousthethousandsourneighboursaredrainingfromunderus，andthebarelandisworthoveronehundreddollarsanacreforfarming。Sheisnotpoor，sheis——Idon"tknowwhatsheis。Agreattroublesouredandwarpedher。

Itmadeherpeculiar。Shedoesnotintheleastunderstand，butitisbecauseshedoesn"tcareto，insteadofignorance。